Aux Vignobles! Cherbourg-Octeville

The “Aux Vignobles!” in Cherbourg-Octeville is far more than a traditional wine fair – it is a sensory experience that unites wine, gastronomy, and sustainable food culture at the highest level. Held once a year in the maritime setting of La Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg-Octeville, this exceptional venue in northwestern France is a destination in its own right. The event is organized by GL Events Exhibitions Opérations, a renowned organizer known throughout France for hosting high-quality trade and public exhibitions.

As part of a touring exhibition series held in various cities across northwestern France, Aux Vignobles! appeals to a discerning audience with a passion for taste – from curious private visitors and specialty retailers to restaurateurs and sommeliers. The unique charm lies in its blend of authentic products, personal encounters, and a strong focus on quality and origin.

At the heart of the event are wines of all styles – from classified AOC wines to organically produced vintages and handcrafted rarities from small, independent wineries. The wine selection is complemented by a carefully curated assortment of fine foods: cheese, cured meats, chocolate, honey, tea, and other delicacies made from regional or certified organic ingredients create a culinary experience that engages all the senses.

A particular highlight is the opportunity to buy directly from producers. Visitors can engage in conversation, learn about cultivation and production methods, and purchase products at fair producer prices. Sustainability is a central theme – many exhibitors are certified organic or hold the French HVE label (Haute Valeur Environnementale), which recognizes environmentally friendly agricultural practices.

Wine tourism is also given its own dedicated area. Guests can explore offers for vineyard visits, tasting experiences, and tours across France’s renowned wine regions – further underscoring the exhibition’s close connection to the French terroir culture, which conveys not just products, but a way of life.

Aux Vignobles! brings together producers from the wine and fine food sectors, direct marketers, and tourism professionals with a quality-conscious audience that values authenticity, excellence, and transparency. It is an invitation to discover the diversity and depth of French savoir-vivre – firsthand, with pleasure, and in direct exchange with the people behind the products.

The venue, La Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg – an impressive maritime museum with a spacious event complex – provides the perfect backdrop. Thanks to excellent transport connections by train, car, or ferry, the fair is easily accessible to local visitors as well as guests from across France and abroad. A visit to Cherbourg during the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to experience the maritime charm of Normandy combined with the rich flavors of French culinary culture.

The Aux Vignobles! takes place annually, and therefore for the 21st time previsibly in December 2026 in Cherbourg-Octeville.