Cévennes chestnut festival celebrates a symbol of resilience

Every autumn, the Cévennes region in southern France hosts festivals centered around the chestnut, a fruit that once saved local communities from famine. These events, held in the departments of Gard and Lozère, celebrate the chestnut as a protected geographical indication, highlighting its cultural and agricultural significance.

Chestnut growers share mixed experiences of 2026 harvest

Chestnut growers at the Lasalle festival described a challenging 2026 harvest, with many reporting significant decreases in production. While some areas were helped by late summer rains, the overall impact of extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves and droughts, was evident across the region.

Climate change affects chestnut trees in the Cévennes

Growers noted that climate change is increasingly threatening chestnut trees in the Cévennes. The heat and drought of 2026 caused stress to the trees, leading to smaller yields and weaker fruit. Some growers expressed concern about the long-term health of the orchards and the future viability of certain chestnut varieties.

Adapting to climate challenges with new varieties

In response to the challenges posed by climate change, some growers are experimenting with new chestnut varieties. Adrien Vézinet, a grower from the Brin de Castagne farm, is transitioning from the vulnerable Dauphine variety to the more resilient Pellegrine, hoping to improve future harvests with better adaptation to changing weather patterns.

Chestnut producers face uncertainty and loss

Producers in Saint-Étienne-Vallée-Française and Collet-de-Dèze reported significant losses in 2026, with some estimating a 50% reduction in production. The lack of timely rainfall and extreme heat led to smaller, less viable chestnuts, forcing some growers to consider alternative uses for their harvest, such as turning the fruit into flour.