The Lessay Fair is a thousand-year-old event, a great agricultural and popular festival. For 3 days, from 11 to 13 September 2026, the small town of Lessay will be completely transformed. The fair usually attracts 350,000 visitors over 3 days! How to get there? When should you arrive? What are the main events? Is admission to the Lessay Fair free or does it cost? Let us tell you all about it!
Lessay’s Foire Sainte-Croix dates back to the 12th century, the Middle Ages. The Benedictine monks are said to have been responsible for its creation. 1,000 years later, it still attracts huge crowds. 1,500 exhibitors come from all over France to attend, along with hundreds of thousands of visitors! Legend has it that the event can even be seen from space!
Events not to be missed at the Lessay’s Sainte Croix fair
The Festival de l’élevage will be showcasing the Limousin, Brune, Jersiaise, Prim’Holstein, Charolais, Normande and Blonde d’Aquitaine breeds. Don’t miss the official animal parade on Sunday.
The horse village will be held on Friday, with the traditional horse, donkey and pony fair starting at 7am. Calling all early birds! Saturday is dedicated to the Normandy cobs and Percheron competitions. On Sunday, the spotlight will be on the Cotentin and other Norman donkeys. On Sunday, there will also be demonstrations of driving and pulling carriages.
A funfair and the famous Allée des Rôtisseurs
A huge funfair takes place throughout the weekend. It’s a chance for young and old to try out some of the rides and get a few thrills. If you want to see the fair from up high, take a ride on the Ferris wheel.
The Allée des Rôtisseurs, one of the highlights of the fair, will once again delight visitors. Alone, with your second half, with family or friends, you can sit under the large tents and sample the delicacies of the land. The leg of lamb is highly prized and the sausages are second to none.
Useful information
Foire de Lessay
50430 Lessay
From 11 to 13 September 2026
3 € per person (for the full three days).
Admission is charged from 8 am to 5 pm, then free for all after 5 pm.
Free for under-12s and local residents.
Fair opening times (to be confirmed): 8 am – 7.30 pm
Allée des rôtisseurs opening times: until 10 pm on Fridays and 11.30 pm/midnight on Saturdays
Fairground opening times: open until 1am
This practical information is subject to change.
Free parking is available at each entrance from Friday morning.
Advice from the organisers:
For better traffic flow, carpool! Arrive before 10.30am or after 2pm.
Please note that due to the size of the Lessay Fair, diversions will be in place which may make travel difficult.