Quercy Saffron Festival: Cajarc Celebrates Red Gold on 24 and 25 October

Every autumn, the fields of Quercy are covered in small mauve flowers for a few weeks. They produce one of the world's most precious spices: saffron. To celebrate this harvest, Cajarc hosts the Quercy Saffron Festival on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026. It takes place at the Espace Françoise Sagan. Entry is free.

Quercy's Red Gold

Saffron has been grown in Quercy since the Middle Ages. This earned it the nickname 'red gold'. It comes from a flower, Crocus sativus. Its centre holds three red stigmas. The flowers bloom in autumn, mainly in October. The season lasts only a few weeks.

Everything is done by hand. The saffron growers pick the flowers every morning. Then they gently remove the stigmas. This process is called trimming. A quick drying process at a controlled temperature preserves the aromas. It takes around 200 flowers to get a single gram of dried saffron. This explains its high price.

Today, a generation of passionate producers keeps this expertise alive throughout the department. The industry is preparing an application for Protected Geographical Indication status. Cajarc has held the 'Site Remarquable du Goût' (Remarkable Site of Taste) label since 2011. It has become the showcase for this revival.

On the festival programme

The festival is organised by the producers' association, Les Safraniers du Quercy. It offers two days to discover everything, from planting to plate:

• 10:30 am, both days: tour of the saffron farms, meet in front of the Cajarc tourist office
• Producers' market: Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
• Trimming demonstrations to see the growers at work
• Cooking demonstrations and tastings of saffron products
• 'Pairing chocolate and saffron' workshop
• Wine tastings offered this year by Quercy winegrowers
• Saturday afternoon: musical entertainment with the Trio Latino

The Sunday Banquet

A highlight of the event is the traditional saffron banquet. It brings guests together on Sunday at 12 pm. The menu includes mourtaïrols soup, pig's trotters with saffron mashed potatoes, Rocamadour cheese, and a dessert called 'le safranier', created by pastry chef Cédric Fauvel. The meal costs 20 euros. Booking is required via the tourist office. Remember to bring your own cutlery and plate, as is tradition.

Saffron in the kitchen

A pinch is enough. About 0.1 grams will flavour a dish for four people. Saffron pairs well with both savoury and sweet foods. It complements fish, sauces, rice, vegetables and desserts. In the Lot department, it often accompanies Rocamadour AOP cheese, honey, figs and walnuts. At the stalls, you will also find saffron-infused syrups, jams, chocolates, salts, mustards and aperitifs. They make lovely gourmet gifts to take home.

Extend your discovery

Several saffron farms in the Lot are open to visitors. In Quercy Blanc, Safran d'Occitanie welcomes people to its farm in Montlauzun all year round. Near Cahors, Les Jardins du Mas de Greil in Saint-Géry-Vers offers tours and workshops. In Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, the Saveurs et Safran museum tells the story of the spice.

Practical info

• Dates: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026
• Location: Espace Françoise Sagan, Rue de la Cascade, 46160 Cajarc
• Entry: free
• Sunday banquet: 20 euros, book on 05 65 40 72 89
• More information: safran-du-quercy.com

Our tip

Arrive at 10:30 am for the saffron farm tour. The fields in full bloom are a rare sight. The scent of freshly picked flowers is unforgettable. Afterwards, plan a walk through old Cajarc and along the river Lot before heading to the market. Timings are subject to change. A quick call to the tourist office the day before is a good way to confirm the schedule.

Want to discover Quercy in autumn? Louroca, in Barguelonne-en-Quercy, welcomes you to the heart of Quercy Blanc.