The history of Vacherin Mont-d’Or AOP (Appellation d’Origine Protégée) is closely linked with that of the village Les Charbonnières in the Vallée de Joux which proudly celebrates this typical cheese every September with the Fête du Vacherin Mont-d’Or.
More than 4,000 people come to this local festival where they can enjoy the Désalpe (celebrating the return of the cows from the pastures to the plains), a local produce market, traditional entertainment and, above all, a chance to taste the first vacherin of the season.
Vacherin Mont-d'Or was awarded the AOP protected designation of origin in 2003. It is a soft cheese produced seasonally. It is always presented in its spruce box, which gives it a woody aroma. From September to April, gourmets like to eat it raw or baked.
On Saturday 23 September from 9:00 am onwards at Les Charbonnières, meet the producers and maturers of Mont-d'Or PDO as well as the craftsmen of the Vallée de Joux.
Detailed programme:
9am-12pm: Folkloric entertainment and music, descent of the herds (cows, sheep, carriages)
11.30am: Milices vaudoises
11.45am: Official reception with Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin and Erika Hess, patron of the 25th event
12 noon: Tasting of the first Vacherins Mont-d'Or PDO for the 2023-2024 season
1.30pm: Auction of the bell and the Lausanne Hockey Club collector's jersey
2pm-4pm: Folkloric entertainment and music, herd descents (sheep and carriages)
4pm: Concert by the Chœur des Montagnards, Les Moulins
6pm: Back to Johnny concert
- The 23 Sep 2023
- Saturday
- 09:00 - 00:00
- Access by public transport recommended.
- From 8am to 7pm, free parking and shuttle buses Crêt-Blanc - Le Pont - Les Charbonnières.
- Car parks near the festival coming from Le Sentier/Le Lieu/Le Séchey.
- From 6:00am to 8:00pm, no traffic at Les Charbonnières. Bypass by the south shore of Lac de Joux (L'Abbaye/Les Bioux).
- Public transport
- Directions
- Links
- Village des Charbonnières Centre du village 1343 Les Charbonnières
Information- Vallée de Joux Tourisme Rue du Centre Sportif 1 1347 Le Sentier +41 21 845 17 77 info@valleedejoux.ch myvalleedejoux.ch