Villaroger – In the hamlet of La Gurraz, at the end of the road that goes up the Isère valley, the smell of hot bread will once again fill the narrow streets. Next June 21st, the’Association of the Mont Pourri Ovens organising the seventh edition of its «Bread Festival».
At La Gurraz, bread is not just a recipe. It's a story of passing down tradition. On Sunday, June 21st, several hundred people are expected in this small hamlet of Villaroger to take part in the traditional «Bread Festival» organised by the’Association of the Mont Pourri Ovens.
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A demonstration that now takes place twice a year and continues to grow with each edition. From the early hours of the morning, volunteers will be busy around the oven preparing the batches that will build the event's reputation. Because here, the bread has a very local peculiarity.
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«We have revisited the traditional recipe that used to be used in the village.» explain Romain Empereur, secretary of the association. «It's a potato bread. Back in the day, potatoes were used to replace some of the flour. We've kept this recipe and now make our own sourdough starter.»
A tradition with its roots in the old Saint-Roch festival, formerly celebrated in La Gurraz after August 15th, which already brought the inhabitants together around this very particular bread.
A celebration borne by an entire village
Over the years, the event has become much more than a simple cooking demonstration. Nearly 300 people are expected this year in a family atmosphere where music, food and entertainment will be mixed.
Visitors will be able to watch bread being made and loaves coming out of the ovens, taste the specialities prepared on site, or simply enjoy the village's convivial atmosphere.
The local school must, among other things, offer a musical demonstration in the morning, while an orchestra from Bourg-Saint-Maurice will provide entertainment in the afternoon. Also on the menu: couscous prepared by volunteers, a refreshment stand, crêpes, charcuterie boards, and a raffle.
But behind this well-oiled organisation, there is above all a collective adventure. «There are six of us in the association's office, but when the festival comes around, the whole village turns up to lend a hand.» underline Romain Emperor. «Residents from La Gurraz, La Savinaz and even from a bit further afield.»
To bring the ovens of yesteryear back to life
Because the association doesn't just make bread. For several years, its members have been pursuing a more ambitious goal: to preserve and restore the heritage of mountain villages. The next project is located in La Savinaz, the neighbouring village.
«We have an old communal oven whose vault has collapsed. It's a listed brick oven and we want to bring it back to life» The association's secretary is explaining that an architect is already working on the project and that administrative procedures are underway with the local council's support. If everything goes according to plan, work could begin next year.
«We didn't want to organise this party solely to raise funds. We wanted there to be a real project behind it, a concrete goal.» it pursues. A way of bringing these perched hamlets to life in a different way Haute Tarentaise, where traditions often remain the best way to build connections between generations.