The Fête de la Saint-Gilles returns this weekend to the charming village of Rochefort-en-Yvelines, in south-western Yvelines. This age-old tradition, organized by the local Comité des Fêtes, promises two days of family entertainment in this Chevreuse Valley commune.
For decades, this traditional festival has perpetuated the festive spirit of the village, even if its form has evolved over time. The listed village of Rochefort-en-Yvelines, just 30 minutes from Paris, provides an ideal setting for this celebration, which honors Saint Gilles, patron saint of the local church.
TheChurch of Saint-Gilles-et-de-l'Assomption, a Romanesque building dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, is the spiritual heart of the festival. Situated between the castle perched on the hill and the village on the banks of the Rabette, this fortified church, unique in the region, faces north-south. Its dominant position, reached by twenty-six donkey steps followed by fifty-seven sandstone steps, gives it a particularly striking protective appearance.
For this 2025 edition, the program promises to be rich and varied. Saturday September 6 kicks off at 12:00 pm with the distribution of the village's traditional "brioche des aînés". The afternoon continues at 2:00 p.m. with a pétanque competition open to all (registration €5 per person) on the old station road.
This year marks a special occasion: with the reconstruction of the technical workshops, the traditional show lunch cannot be organized. However, the Comité des Fêtes is offering an original alternative with an "Auberge Espagnole". The concept? Participants sign up and are offered a paella royale in exchange for bringing a starter or homemade dessert (6 to 8 portions). For this system to work, each group of 1 to 3 people must bring a dish, and beyond that, an additional starter or dessert is required for each additional participant. Drinks are provided by the organizers, and will be sold on site.
Sunday September 7 kicks off with the gourmet and craft market from 9:00 am on the Place des Halles. Some twenty local exhibitors will be showcasing their creations and specialities, offering an opportunity to discover the know-how of the Yvelines region. At 11:00 a.m., theChurch of the Assumption will host the traditional mass, followed by the blessing of schoolbags, a symbolic moment marking the start of the new school year. The event concludes at 12:30 with a " pot de la Municipalité " on the Place des Halles.
It's an opportunity to discover or rediscover the charms of this medieval village, a veritable jewel in the Chevreuse Valley. Rochefort-en-Yvelines has preserved its exceptional heritage, with the remains of the 11th-century fortified castle built by Gui le Rouge, its cobbled streets and its unspoilt natural setting in the heart of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse regional nature park.
The commune enjoys a remarkable natural environment, surrounded by four rivers: the Rémarde to the south, the Rabette to the west, the Aulne to the north and the Gloriette to the east. This privileged geographical location, in the heart of the Rambouillet forest, makes it an ideal destination for a weekend getaway.
Hiking enthusiasts can take advantage of their visit to discover the Sentier des Quatre Dragons, created by the Yvelines departmental council in the Rochefort-en-Yvelines forest. This fun trail, inaugurated in 2018, offers a family-friendly walk in the heart of the 288-hectare departmental forest.
Join us for the Fête de la Saint-Gilles 2025 on Saturday September 6 and Sunday September 7 in Rochefort-en-Yvelines (78730), with a gourmet market in Place des Halles on Sunday morning and the Auberge Espagnole on Saturday evening in chemin de l'ancienne gare. For further information and registration, please contact Sylvie on 07.68.16.35.79 or Sandrine on 06.86.42.76.65, or write to comitedesfetes.rey@gmail.com. Access to the village is by RER B + bus line 39.07 from Paris, or by the A10 freeway, Longvilliers exit for motorists.
The Fête de la Saint-Gilles 2025 promises to be a unique opportunity to discover the soul of an authentic Ile-de-France village, where tradition and conviviality come together in an exceptional historical setting.
Dates and Opening Time
From September 6, 2025 to September 7, 2025
Location
Rochefort en Yvelines
Rochefort en Yvelines
78730 Rochefort en Yvelines
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.rey78.fr
