Fête du Vacherin Mont-d'Or AOP

26 Sep 2026

At the end of September, the Fête du Vacherin Mont-d’Or AOP marks the season start for this soft cheese typical of the Vallée de Joux.

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 6,000 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.

Detailed programme:

- Vacherin Mont-d’Or tasting
- From 9.00 am to 5.00 pm: Local produce market, folk entertainment and music
- From 9.30 am to 12.00 pm: Herds coming down from the pastures (cows, sheep, horse-drawn carriages)
- 12 noon: Official ceremony attended by Ticino MP Sabrina Gendotti
- 1 pm: Tug-of-war competition
- 5 pm: Concert by the Chorale de L'Orient at the Temple
- 9 pm: Dance under the canteen
- Food and drink stalls run by local societies throughout the day

The guest of honour at the 2026 event is Ticino alpine cheese.

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.

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Practical informations

Access by public transport recommended.
Parking near the festival when coming from Le Sentier/Le Lieu/Le Séchey.
Car parks with free shuttle buses at L'Abbaye (ski lift), Crêt-Blanc and Le Pont.

From 6am to 8pm, traffic is prohibited in Les Charbonnières. Diversion via the south shore of Lake Joux (L'Abbaye/Les Bioux).