The Strawberry Festival in the Limousin, France

Last updated on July 3rd, 2025 at 07:34 am

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I bet you didn’t know there is a Strawberry Festival in France.

Well, there is. May is the month of the strawberry here in France and of course, to celebrate there is a strawberry festival, Fête de la Fraise.

Held on the second Sunday in May every year this festival is literally all about strawberries.

In fact, it was at this festival in 2017 that they created the world’s longest strawberry cake, fraisier pâtissier, earning itself a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Five pastry chefs baked lots of individual cakes and then lined them all up together creating a cake which was just over 32 metres in length.

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Pastry chefs making the world's longest strawberry cake at the Strawberry Festival in France

As a lover of cake, especially French cake, I can’t think of anything better.

Apparently, there was 200kg of strawberries used in the making of the cake. And once judged as successful, it was then cut up and sold to attendees of the festival with all the money going to charity.

What is the Strawberry Festival, Fête de la Fraise

A giant strawberry pie from the strawberry festival in France

The strawberry festival is a whole day dedicated to the little red fruit and the strawberry growers of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne.

Now in its 30th year, it’s a great way to promote the town and bring recognition to over 400 strawberry growers.

The main event is, of course, the baking of the giant strawberry pie, which is a sight to see.

But as well as that you’ve got a bevvy of stallholders selling everything you can possibly think of that includes strawberries such as jam, smoothies, strawberry cheesecake and more.

There’s entertainment for the entire family with circus workshops, parades, kit making, magicians, street entertainment, face painting and a competition for the best strawberry.

Entry is free and the setting of this beautiful medieval village on the banks of the Dordogne river is just perfect.

The French love their food festivals and the Strawberry Festival is just one of many.

Did France really invent the strawberry?

Well, this one is definitely up for debate but the French have claimed the strawberry as their own.

Although the little woodland strawberry had been around in Europe since Roman times, the garden strawberries we know today didn’t exist.

In 1714, Amédeé François Frézier, a naval military engineer, was on a spying mission for Louis XIV, the Sun King.

The same king whose wife, Anne of Austria, brought chocolate to France.

Anyway, Frézier was sent to the Spanish ports of South America and heard about some large white strawberries in Chile.

Bringing several plants back with him he gave one to Antoine de Jussieu at the Royal Gardens in Paris.

But although they were big, they lacked fragrance and flavour. Frézier referred to them as being “as big as a small egg”.

So the plant was then sent to Brittany, where it was cross-bred with Virginian and European woodland berries.

Et voilà, the tasty succulent strawberries we know and love today were created.

How strawberries developed in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Limousin, France

The Dordogne region has always been known for its vines and relied quite heavily on the production of wine.

However, in the 19th century mildew and phylloxera struck the vines and the wine economy collapsed.

Strawberries had previously flourished under the shade of the vines, and the soil and climate leant themselves to good growth too. So the farmers in the region turned their attention to growing strawberries.

Now, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne has become the home of the strawberry with over 60% of France’s strawberries produced here.

There are a few different varieties of strawberries, but probably the juiciest is Charlotte, usually available between April – October.

How to get to Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne for the Strawberry Festival

There is a small airport called Brive-la-Gaillarde about 34 km/21 miles from Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne with flights coming in from London City Airport.

There’s also a station at Brive-la-Gaillarde and you can hire cars from both the airport and the station.

FAQS on Strawberries in France

Why are French strawberries so good?

The reason French strawberries are so good is thanks to France’s ideal growing conditions, such as the impeccable soil quality and temperate climate, which nurture these berries to their irresistible perfection.

What is the famous French strawberry?

Ah, the famed French strawberry! The most renowned French strawberry without a doubt is the ‘Gariguette’. It stands out for its remarkably sweet and tangy flavour, a harmonious blend that sets it apart from other varieties. Cultivated traditionally in the south of France, it’s the quintessential taste of French springtime.

What does strawberry mean in France?

Strawberry in French is ‘Fraise’ and it represents the start of Spring.

Which French king loves strawberries?

King Louis XIV, affectionately known as the Sun King, had a profound love for strawberries. His passion was so great that he had strawberry plants scattered throughout the opulent gardens of Versailles.

As springtime bloomed, the sweet scent of ripening strawberries filled the air, and the king would often be seen relishing these succulent berries.

His fascination with strawberries was so influential that it spurred a surge in strawberry cultivation across France, leading to the development of the varieties we enjoy today, including the beloved ‘Gariguette’.

So when you savour a French strawberry, you’re not only tasting a fruit but also experiencing a piece of French history, courtesy of King Louis XIV.

Conclusion: The Strawberry Festival

There is an entire website dedicated to the strawberry in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and the strawberry festival. Click here for more information >>>

Personally, I love the fact that the French choose to celebrate the strawberry. It’s part of their culture and history and so nice to see them embrace it. If you get a chance to go you really should as it’s quite something to see.

And if you’re more of a citrus person, don’t forget to check out the Lemon Festival in Menton on the French Riviera. It’s on for two weeks in February each year.