Chestnut Blossom Festival

A festival celebrating mountain chestnut cultivation

The Chestnut Blossom Festival is the event through which the Valle Stura Mountain Union celebrates one of the most iconic trees of the Cuneo valleys at the start of summer. When the chestnut trees are covered in their long, golden blossoms, the event invites locals, curious visitors, and enthusiasts to rediscover a heritage that has shaped the economy and landscape of the Piedmontese mountains for centuries. For the 2026 edition, the festival moves to Gaiola, a small town in the Province of Cuneo, in the heart of the Stura Valley.

The ValOd'OC project, the driving force of the event

The festival was born within the framework of the European Interreg ALCOTRA Italy-France ValOd'OC project, dedicated to enhancing the chestnut supply chain on both sides of the Maritime Alps. Numerous technical and scientific partners work alongside the Valle Stura Mountain Union, including Impresa Verde Cuneo, the Regional Chestnut Cultivation Center of Piedmont, the University of Turin – DISAFA, and French partners such as the Municipality of Isola and the Terres de Châtaigne association. The stated goal is to foster knowledge transfer between the research world, technicians, and chestnut growers, supporting best cultivation practices.

Between nature, science, and gastronomy

The day alternates between outdoor activities and social moments. It begins with a guided walk through the chestnut groves, during which experts demonstrate field management and tree care techniques. Lunch, available by reservation, features a menu entirely focused on chestnuts, while the afternoon is dedicated to educational outreach, with the inauguration of the new Chestnut Processing Laboratory, the presentation of CASTANEA magazine, and the Chestnuts in the Kitchen show cooking session.

An event tailored to the territory

Unlike large autumn chestnut fairs, the Blossom Festival focuses on the lesser-known moment of the tree's cycle: the June flowering. It is an opportunity to discover the Stura Valley chestnut groves at the height of their growing season and to understand why this crop, now at the center of revitalization projects, is so important for mountain communities. All this takes place in an intimate, family-friendly setting where conviviality is just as important as education.