Culture and Traditions

Discover our traditions, festivals, and local expertise that shape the identity of our region.

For a thousand years, the Saugeais region has made history

Interior of the cloister at Montbenoit Abbey

Historical Saugeais

1000

A hermit named Benedict settled at the site that is now Montbenoît, and a small religious community formed around him

1100

The local lord Landry de Joux (1086–1110) donated land to be cleared to the monks settled at Montbenoît – construction of the church began

1141

The priory of Montbenoît officially became an abbey, with Prior Narduin serving as its first abbot

1199

First documented mention of the word "Saugey" in a papal bull

1228

A charter issued by Henry I de Joux defines the boundaries of the territory of Montbenoît Abbey

1458

Formalization of the rules governing communal life for the residents of the Saugeais region in a document known as the Coutumier du Val du Saugeais

1772

Dissolution of the Montbenoît Religious Community

1790

After the French Revolution, the abbey and its estates were declared national property and put up for sale

Presentation of the Galette des Rois featuring the Saugeais

Saugeais King's Cake

Establishment of the Republic of Saugeais

1910

Composition of the Saugeais National Anthem by Canon Joseph Bobillier

1947

The founding of the Republic of Saugeais, with Georges Pourchet as its first president

1964

Father Jeantet became the priest of the church in Montbenoît and devoted himself to the restoration of the abbey

1972

Appointment of Gabrielle Pourchet, the first President of Saugeais, by a show of hands – formation of a government composed of ministers and ambassadors

1973

Design of the Saugeais coat of arms by a heraldry expert

1975

First Honorary Citizen Day and Induction of Edgar Faure, the First Honorary Citizen of the Republic of Saugeais

1981

Creation of the tricolor flag of the Republic of Saugeais

1982

Establishment of the Mobile Customs Unit and Volunteer Customs Officers of the Republic

2006

Appointment of Georgette Bertin-Pourchet as President of the Republic of Saugeais

2019

Appointment of Prime Minister Simon Marguet

2021

Completion of the renovation of Montbenoît Abbey

2022

Simon Marguet has been appointed President of the Republic of Saugeais

Symbols of the Saugeais

The Emblems of the Republic of Saugeais

Anthem: The Republic in Song

The "national" anthem of Sauget was composed in 1910 by Canon Joseph Bobillier, a native of the town, to music by Théodore Botrel. Written in the Sauget dialect, a variant of Franco-Provençal, it blends cultural identity with touches of humor.

Listen to the anthem:

Symbols and a coat of arms

The coat of arms of the Republic of Saugeais was designed in 1972.

The crozier symbolizes the spiritual authority of the abbot of Montbenoît, while the helmet recalls the military protection provided by the lords of Joux.

The snow-covered fir tree and the rocks are elements of the natural environment that characterizes the region; the ribbon represents the Doubs River winding through the green pastures.

A Flag for the Republic

Adopted in 1981, it consists of three vertical stripes of equal width— black, red, and yellow—and features the coat of arms of the Republic in the center .

Pass issued by the President of the Republic of Saugeais

The Republic of Saugeais is also…

Honorary awards, a postage stamp, an annual “Honorary Citizens Day” held on the first Sunday in October… not to mention passport checks at customs!

An essential founding document

The Customary Law of the Val du Saugeais

Officially adopted in March 1458, the Coutumier du Saugeais is a seminal document in the legal and social history of the territory of Montbenoît Abbey.

The result of an exceptional collaboration between the clergy and the residents of the Saugeais region, it codifies local customs into 112 articles, covering agricultural and social life as well as community rules.

This text, which remained in force until the French Revolution, is a valuable record of the identity of the people of Saugeais , as well as a rare example, for its time, of collective participation in the development of law.

I am downloading the *Coutumier du Val du Saugeais* (
) courtesy of the Bibliothèque nationale de France

Do you know who the Honorary Citizens of Saugeais are?

Honorary Citizens for an Unforgettable Day

How can we thank and honor the citizens of the Republic who have been involved in the restoration of Montbenoît Abbey? In the mid-1970s, the solution was suggested by Yves Dornier, a journalist at L’Est Républicain, and led to the creation of the Order of Honorary Citizens of the Republic of Saugeais. This is how, initially, figures such as Father Jeantet, the driving force behind the abbey’s revival, were recognized.

The honor is also bestowed upon individuals who do not reside within the territory of the Republic but who are committed to representing and defending its interests. In 1975, Edgar Faure, a statesman and member of the French Academy, became the very first Honorary Citizen to be inducted by Gabrielle Pourchet. He was followed by figures from the civilian, military, and religious spheres.

Honorary Citizens Day - Religious Service

Honorary Citizens Day - Ceremony at the War Memorials

A close-up of a table set for the Honored Citizens' Day dinner

Honorary Citizens Day, October 6, 2024 - Luncheon

The first Sunday in October—a date to remember

Every year, on a beautiful autumn day, nearly 400 guests gather in an atmosphere of fellowship and conviviality. On the first Sunday in October, everyone—whether or not they reside within the Republic of Saugeais—is invited to join in the festivities and the meal dedicated to the Honorary Citizens.

Following the religious ceremony at the abbey in honor of the deceased Honorary Citizens and the laying of a wreath at the war memorial, a convivial luncheon brings together the residents of Sauget, as well as participants from the Haut-Doubs region , other parts of France, and even further afield, seated around long tables. Entirely prepared by volunteers from the association and local food businesses, the meal consists of an aperitif, a starter, the traditional mushroom tart, a meat course, and Haut-Doubs ham. Cheese from the Saugettes dairies and dessert provide a delightful conclusion to this gourmet event, which coincides with the presentation of insignia to the newly inducted Honorary Citizens!

With the President and all members of his administration in attendance, the Republic is demonstrating its vitality, delighted that everyone—whether from Saugets or not—is gathered around the same table.

Join us for the next Honorary Citizens Day

Everyone is welcome, no matter where you’re from. Participation in the day’s activities is optional; only meal reservations are required, for organizational purposes.
Feel free to sign up as a group if you’d like—we’ll arrange the seating based on who you’d like to sit with. Just let us know who you’d like to sit next to, and we’ll take care of the rest.
The price of the meal is €50 (2025 rate) per person and includes 2 appetizers + 1 main course + ham, salad + cheese, dessert, and coffee, accompanied by an aperitif, wine, and a glass of sparkling wine.

To sign up right away, click here. You’re welcome to join us!

DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT TRYING
OUR LOCAL SPECIALTIES!

Enjoy the Saugeais

Les Salaisons du Saugeais: It’s all about taste

A tradition in the Franche-Comté region dating back to time immemorial, cured and smoked meats have been produced on traditional farms in the Saugeais region, as well as throughout the Jura Mountains.
The most iconic of these are the Morteau sausage and the Montbéliard sausage, each of which is protected by a Protected Geographical Indication.

Many other specialties acquire their distinctive flavor in the tuyés (tall chimneys that rise above the traditional farms of the Haut-Doubs): brési, salted, smoked, and dried beef; smoked ham from the Haut-Doubs; and Jésu de Morteau, for example.

Would you like to try some?

Inside a smokehouse with the cured meats

Make a big deal out of it!

Comté, the king of cheeses

Comté is a hard, pressed, raw-milk cheese that has been produced by hand in dairy cooperatives since the 13th century, through a unique cooperative system that pools milk from local farms.
The large wheels, weighing over 40 kg, develop their flavors on spruce planks in the aging cellars—true cathedrals of flavor.

A symbol of Franche-Comté, Comté cheese production is governed by a Protected Designation of Origin, which preserves its distinctive character while highlighting the diversity of its flavor profiles: the green pastures of Saugeais where Montbéliarde cows graze, the influence of the seasons, and the expertise of the cheesemaker and ripener all contribute to each wheel’s unique history and flavor.

Mont d’Or, an iconic landmark of the Haut-Doubs

Recognizable by its round wooden box and spruce-wood strap, Mont d’Or—also known as Vacherin du Haut-Doubs— is a raw-milk cheese produced exclusively at altitudes above 700 meters.

One of France’s last seasonal cheeses, it is enjoyed from September through May, either on a cheese platter or baked in the oven and served over potatoes. Its history can be traced back to the table of King Louis XV, and even as far back as the 13th century, when the first known mention of a “cheese wrapped in a strap” appeared. Only ten cheese dairies produce Mont d’Or, which holds a Protected Designation of Origin.

So, do you prefer it hot or cold?

Do you know the secret of the plants of the Haut-Doubs?

Fir, wormwood, and gentian: the gifts of nature abound in the Saugeais region, and the locals know how to make the most of them. Inspired brewers and talented distillers elevate these traditions into richly flavored beverages, or innovate to share the flavors of the Haut-Doubs region’s plants with as many people as possible .

Long maligned, absinthe has turned the page on its turbulent history to set out to conquer the world of aperitifs, accompanied by its ceremonial rituals and iconic accessories, such as the fountain and ornate spoons.

As for gentian, it really comes into its own at the end of a meal, bringing its digestive properties and powerful aromas to the table. Fir tree liqueur, beer, and Pontarlier—the iconic aperitif— enliven the leisurely moments of the residents of Saugeais—and beyond—with their vibrant colors and flavors!

How do I get my pass for the Saugeais?