The Biou is a very old grape harvest festival with religious origins, first recorded in the 17th century, held every year in…
About this event in the Jura in Arbois
The Biou is a very old grape harvest festival with religious origins, first recorded in the 17th century, held every year in the town of Arbois, in the heart of the Jura vineyards. It takes place on the first weekend in September, around the feast of Saint Just, the parish's patron saint.
The 2026 edition has particular significance. The Biou d'Arbois is France's nomination for inscription on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Its nomination will be examined by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee at its 21st session, to be held in November/December 2026 in China.
2026 PROGRAMME > Saturday 5 September - 9am to 2pm: Open day: Tennis Club Arboisien, Complexe de l’Ethole TRADITIONAL GRAPE HARVEST - 2.30pm: Harvest begins - Château Pécauld - vineyards of the Musée de la Vigne et Vin du Jura - 3.30pm: Grape pressing and tasting of must from the traditional harvest.
MAKING THE BIOU AND THE WREATH WITH THE WINEGROWERS - 2pm: Making the biou and the wreath with the winegrowers, Maison Vercel (rue de Courcelles) - 8.45pm: Torchlight procession sets off with Biou’Z Musik and the Sapeurs-Pompiers d’Arbois, Promenade Pasteur - 10pm: Fireworks.
Public viewing at the main municipal stadium (Avenue Maréchal Leclerc), with controlled access via rue de Larney. Drinks and light refreshments available on site from the Triangle d’Or Jura Foot club > Sunday 06 September - 9.40am: Biou procession sets off from outside Maison Vercel (rue de Courcelles) - 10am: Mass and offering of the Biou, Église Saint-Just - 11.
30am: Wreath parade sets off from outside Maison Pasteur, with a special appearance by the Batterie-fanfare éphémère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and the «Batterie-fanfare Le Pélican» - 11.45am: Laying of the grape wreath by Fruitière Vinicole d’Arbois and Société de Viticulture d’Arbois, and patriotic ceremony at the war memorial.
Complimentary aperitif provided by the A.O.C winegrowers at the end of the ceremony, Rue de Bourgogne > Throughout Sunday: - Exhibition and sale of philatelic souvenirs and a special stamp, forecourt of Église St-Just - « L’Arbois des Peintres » painting competition.
Registration from 8am and prize-giving at 6.30pm at the town hall. Information: 07 67 03 88 77 or 06 95 81 04 39 - 4pm: Free concert by the Batterie-fanfare éphémère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. Esplanade by the Pasteur statue – alternative venue: Espace Pasteur – Place Notre-Dame > Throughout the weekend - Funfair from the evening of Friday 4 September - Open day: Arbois ULM, 8am to 8pm ● Lieu-dit Grange Vauxy - Free admission to the municipal museums: Musée de la Vigne et du Vin du Jura (Château Pécauld – rue des fossés) and Musée d’Art, Hôtel Sarret de Grozon (9 grande rue) - Town tours: Saturday at 10.
30am and 2.30pm / Sunday at 2.30pm. Free tours – limited places – meet at the Tourist Office 10 minutes before departure – 03 84 73 01 34 – [email protected]