Non Solo Erbe Regional Festival

Non Solo Erbe: the lavender village in the Upper Langa

Every year, on the last weekend of June, the Municipality of Sale San Giovanni in the province of Cuneo hosts Non Solo Erbe, the regional festival of medicinal and aromatic herbs. It is the event that has made this village of just over one hundred and fifty inhabitants famous, nestled among the hills of the Piedmontese Upper Langa at an altitude of about 615 meters, halfway between Cuneo and the Ligurian Riviera.

Lavender blooming

The festival coincides with the most evocative moment of the year: the lavender blooming, which between the second half of June and the beginning of July dyes the cultivated slopes in intense shades of blue and purple. Sale San Giovanni is one of the few places in Northern Italy where you can admire stretches of lavender comparable to those of Provence, and it is precisely this natural setting that serves as the backdrop for the event. Four marked trails — from the easy, flat green itinerary suitable for families to dirt tracks for those who love hiking — allow you to immerse yourself in the fragrant fields.

What you will find at the festival

Along the streets and small squares of the historic center, a market of selected and certified organic exhibitors unfolds. The sectors represented reflect the vocation of the territory:

• Organic and biodynamic agriculture: medicinal and aromatic herbs, potted plants, specialized nurseries;
• Natural cosmetics, perfumery, and herbalism, with products derived from lavender and local essences;
• Organic food and typical Langa products;
• Clothing made from eco-friendly fibers and specialized publishing on medicinal plants.

Conferences, culture, and the Prandi Arboretum

Non Solo Erbe is not just a market: the program alternates conferences on the cultivation of medicinal plants using eco-friendly methods, book presentations, workshops for children, and musical moments. The botanical heart of the event is the Prandi Arboretum, with its Educational Center, where it is possible to participate in guided tours to discover trees, herbaceous plants, and essences from all over the world. During the blooming weekends, the historic churches of the village are also open to the public, from the Pieve di San Giovanni to the Chapel of Sant'Anastasia.

An identity-defining event for Piedmont

Organized by the Municipality of Sale San Giovanni together with the Pro Loco, with the support of GAL Mongioie, Non Solo Erbe is now a reference point for nature, wellness, and slow tourism enthusiasts from all over Piedmont. The festival enhances a niche agricultural supply chain and tells the story of how a small village in the Langhe was able to build a strong identity around its herbs and purple fields.