The 25th edition of the Belly Festival is approaching in Rouen: here are the new features

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This year, Belly Festival pulls out all the stops. For his 25th editionthe Rouen gastronomic festival will host a new event. And in the process extend its borders beyond the Place du Vieux-Marché.

Throughout the weekend of Saturday October 12 and Sunday October 13, 2024many local producers and traders will showcase their flagship products to delight the taste buds. But renowned chefs and restaurateurs will also play the game at the same time. Here is the program.

A Belly Festival with “the same DNA”

The Belly Festival as we know it will “keep the same DNA”. But for the first time in its history, it is the Vitrines de Rouen, the Rouen merchants’ association, which is organizing it.

Its president, Fabrice Antoncic, wants to reassure the public: “We are not aiming to transform the party. » It will remain similar to the previous ones with almost 700 meters of linear space and more than 170 exhibitors distributed between Place du Vieux-Marché, Place de la Pucelle and Rue Jeanne-d’Arc.

On the entertainment side, farm animals will be presented, “including a prize-winning bull”, confides Fabrice Antoncic. All the usual brass bands will be there with percussion, jazz, boleros, waltzes and even variety.

But obviously, the primary goal is to enjoy yourself!

The novelty: “Rouen à Table!” »

In parallel with the festival, a new event imagined by the City of Rouen, the Metropolis, the Tourist Office and the Showcases will appear. Baptized “Rouen at the Table!” »it will celebrate gastronomy beyond the Belly Festival with numerous activities, in the presence of Rouen restaurateurs but also world-renowned chefs.

The program for Saturday October 12

• Great breakfast: At 8:30 a.m. or 9:45 a.m., enjoy a breakfast made by Meilleurs Ouvriers de France and artisans on the Cathedral Square. (Complete)
• Gastronomic rally: from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 35 cafés, bars and restaurants in Rouen showcase their specialties during a culinary tour in 7 stages through the city. (Complete)
• Battles de chefs : from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., on the Cathedral Square, several renowned international chefs will engage in a “battle” under a large marquee. They will have to make a dish of Norman products: Norman beef, Neufchâtel and apple. A jury composed of Rouennais chef Gilles Tournadre, gastronomic columnist Périco Légasse and the chef of the Lé Là restaurant Lynda Jumel will decide between the participants. The public will also be involved in voting and will even be invited to taste the chefs’ creations. (Free and open to all)
• Lunch “from the table to the plate”: at 11 a.m. or 11:45 a.m., tasting of a menu inspired by the painting A wedding meal in Yportis offered at the Museum of Fine Arts then at the Michelin-starred restaurant Odas. (Complete)
• Cooking classes with the Fauchon school: from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., members of the Fauchon school will host a cooking class on the theme of aperitifs on the Place de la Cathédrale. (Complete)

The program for Sunday October 13

• Brunch gourmand : at 11:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., Rouen Tourisme and Rouf Traiteur offer a large brunch composed of Norman specialties on the Cathedral Square. (Single price of €39 per person)
• Great snack: from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., a snack for the whole family is organized at Place des Emmurées, on the left bank. Pastry workshops, tastings and a show for children on the theme of the film “Ratatouille” will be available to discover. (Prices: €9 per adult and €7 per child under 12)

With “Rouen at the Table!” », local elected officials, including the mayor of Rouen Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol, wanted to “highlight the local gastronomic heritage which is still insufficiently highlighted”. With this addition, the organizers hope to offer a new dimension at the Belly Festival, without distorting the tradition.

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