Créances is a small commune in the Manche department in Normandy. In Manche, Créances is often referred to as “the land of carrots” because the commune is primarily known for growing excellent carrots.
The Créances carrot (la carotte de Créances) is grown in sandy soils which have excellent drainage characteristics and are rich in iodine. It is famous for its sweetness, deep orange color, and high iodine content due to being grown in iodine-rich soils and being fertilized with seaweed. The Créances carrot was granted the appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in the 1960s, becoming the first and only one locality to hold the AOC for carrots. The commune produces about 35,000 tons of carrots every year.
The Créances Carrot Festival was created in 1990 to celebrate the famous Créances carrot. What started as a local celebration has grown into a major tourist attraction that draws about 25,000 visitors each year. The festival is held on the second Saturday of August. It features a large market, a parade of carrot growers, a carrot cooking competition, musical entertainment, fireworks, and more.
The festival commences with a series of speeches followed by a colorful parade of carrot growers through Créances. At the market, you can find beautiful vegetable displays, fresh carrots, and various carrot dishes such as pies, jams, glazed carrots, pickled carrots, and more. The best carrot displays and carrot growers receive special prizes.
