Dive into the world of agricultural excellence with the Concours Général Agricole. Discover the winners, meet renowned producers, and savor the excellence of the French terroir.

Discover the different categories of the Concours Général Agricole

The Concours Général Agricole is a unique springboard for local products, wines, and a showcase of French genetic excellence. For participants, taking part in the competition means gaining additional recognition from both industry peers and the general public.

It also helps raise awareness and reward the next generation of agricultural professionals.

Several contests honor outstanding students from agricultural schools — including the best young wine tasters and the most skilled livestock judges.

Summary

Dog leading sheep in front of the Agricultural Show sign

Everything about the General Agricultural Competition

The General Agricultural Competition was first held in 1870 to select and recognise France's best regional products and breeding animals.

It is an age-old event with an eminently cutting-edge mission: to showcase the exceptional biodiversity in French breeding and gastronomy.

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The General Competition for Animals

Since 1864, the year the “Animal Competition” was created, breeders have been showcasing the very best of French livestock genetics.

The animals selected by official breeding organizations come from the most rigorous selection programs, highlighting the exceptional biodiversity of French genetics.

All breeding animals competing in the Concours Général Agricole are part of collective breeding programs approved by the French Ministry of Agriculture, Agri-food and Food Sovereignty and implemented under its supervision. This ensures their high genetic value. With genetic excellence and commercial performance guaranteed, the animals are judged on their morphology and how closely it conforms to breed standards, with particular attention paid to functional traits.

Learn more about animals of the CGA
Braided horse in procession

Seven animal species were represented in the Concours Général Agricole: donkeys, dogs, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, and cats.
This year, the General Cattle Competition is exceptionally cancelled following the decision of the relevant breeding organizations.

In 2025, this national competition, which also captivates the general public, featured:

  • 395 breeds
  • 2,575 animals
  • 997 award winners
    ​

Highly anticipated each year, the animal competition is one of the highlights of the Paris International Agricultural Show. The finest specimens proudly parade in the rings, drawing the attention and admiration of an engaged audience.

Live from the rings

Watch the rings live!

Over the past four editions, many of you have tuned in to our live ring broadcasts — thank you for being with us!

Catch up on all the animal competition replays, as well as the International Trophy for Agricultural Education (TIEA) from the 2025 Concours Général Agricole.

Watch the live
Presentation of a cat

Agroecological Practices Competition

The General Agricultural Competition for Agroecological Practices rewards farmers committed to practices that reconcile agricultural production, product quality, and biodiversity preservation.

Part of the General Agricultural Competition since 2014, it highlights exemplary farms that promote biodiversity, natural resources, and local expertise.

📍 Official awards ceremony:
February 25, at the Ministry of Agriculture stand, between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. (times to be confirmed).

Created in 2010 under the name “Prairies Fleuries” by the Federation of Regional Nature Parks of France, the CGA PAE is now coordinated by Chambres d'agriculture France with the support of Réseau Haies France for the Agroforestry category.
It promotes agroecological practices, contributing to the sustainability of farms, product quality, and the preservation of landscapes and biodiversity.

Farms are evaluated by panels of professionals on agronomic and environmental criteria and the consistency of their production systems.

agroecologic contest

This competition is divided into two categories:

  • Grasslands & Pastures

This category rewards farmers for the agroecological quality of their natural, mown, or grazed pastures.

The evaluation focuses on floral diversity, parcel management, contributions to livestock feed and biodiversity, aiming for the best balance between agricultural production and environmental preservation.
👉 View the results

  • Agroforestry

This category recognizes farmers who integrate trees with agricultural production (hedges, rows of trees, orchard meadows).

The systems are evaluated based on their design and management, as well as their benefits for biodiversity, soil protection, carbon storage, and the comfort of both animals and farmers.
👉 View the results

Boy next to a cow during a competition

The CGA Competition for young professionals

Learn more about the Concours Général Agricole for Young Professionals.
One of the missions of the Concours Général Agricole is to support the training of future agri-food professionals through 7 dedicated competitions:

  • Concours de Jugement des Animaux par les Jeunes (CJAJ) – Young People’s Livestock Judging Contest
  • Trophée International de l’Enseignement Agricole (TIEA) – International Trophy for Agricultural Education
  • Concours des Jeunes Professionnels du Vin (CJPV) – Young Wine Professionals Competition
  • Challenge Jeunes Meneurs (CJM) – Young Handlers Challenge
  • Concours Jeunes Jurés des Pratiques Agro-écologiques “Prairies & Parcours” et l’Agroforesterie – Young Agroecology Jury Contest (Grasslands, Grazing & Agroforestry)
  • Challenge Caprin Inter-Lycées (CCIL) – Inter-High School Goat Challenge
  • Trophée Canin Inter-Lycées (TCIL) – Inter-High School Goat Trophy

These contests provide real-life conditions to challenge the new generation preparing to enter the agri-food sector. They offer educational teams practical and structured tools to help students acquire professional skills. They also create a stimulating and unifying environment, fostering motivation, personal achievement, commitment, and pride for both learners and their institutions.

cjaj

The Young People’s Livestock Judging Contest

The principle is to evaluate young students from agricultural schools or newly established young farmers on their ability to judge animals — including cattle, sheep, goats, and both draft and riding horses.
Participants assess the animals based on a specific set of criteria:

  • Body qualities
  • Build
  • Muscularity
  • Specific limb traits
  • Leg alignment
  • Gait
  • Overall appearance

Objectives of the competition

  • Raise awareness among young people about the importance of breeding animal morphology
  • Encourage professional training initiatives led by breeding organizations, agricultural schools, technical institutes, and local livestock institutions
  • Emphasize the role of conformation evaluation in animal selection and its impact on farmers’ income

After local qualifying rounds, the national finals are held in Paris during the Paris International Agricultural Show, where the top candidates are awarded trophies.

Read more

The Young Wine Professionals Competition

This competition highlights the wine tasting skills of future professionals in the wine industry.
Objectives

  • Raise awareness among young people about the importance of tasting in their future profession
  • Encourage professional training initiatives in this field

After regional pre-selections, the national final takes place during the Paris International Agricultural Show, where the best candidates are awarded trophies.

Learn more
cjpv

The CGA Contest for Products and Wines

The Product and Wine Competition features 33 categories.

Renowned worldwide for its quality, French gastronomy is rooted in regional products and the expertise of thousands of producers. A wide array of French products competes in this contest, with 33 categories judged by professionals. From wines to cured meats and Espelette pepper, medals reward the finest wines and local specialties.
Discover the “Les Médaillés” Restaurant of the CGA
wine at cga

A benchmark event and a mark of quality!

Products are evaluated by a jury made up of industry professionals, including producers, culinary experts, traders, distributors, and informed consumers.

They are judged based on sensory characteristics and taste quality.

Products are grouped into several main categories, such as:

  • Apéritifs
  • Beers
  • Cured meats
  • SauerkrautCiders and perries
  • Jams
  • Spirits (Whisky, Gin, Armagnac, Cognac…)
  • Walnut oils
  • Fruit juices
  • Honey and mead
  • Duck and goose products
  • Dairy products (butter, cream, cheese, milk, yogurt, and desserts)
  • Olive oil products
  • Aquaculture products (oysters, smoked trout, rillettes)
  • Rums and punches
  • Spices (saffron, Espelette pepper, vanilla)
  • Meats
  • Mistelles
  • Poultry
  • These emblematic specialties reflect the incredible diversity of French regional products.

 

The Wine Competition

All French wines, across all price ranges, are represented in the Concours Général Agricole. Samples are assessed by expert juries including sommeliers, oenologists, traders, producers, brokers, and informed consumers whose evaluations are recognized for their accuracy and reliability.

The wine medals awarded under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture are highly sought-after and serve as a valuable export credential. Each year, over 12,000 samples enter the competition through local pre-selections organized by regional authorities, Chambers of Agriculture, and industry unions, before reaching the finals held at the Paris International Agricultural Show.

Only 27% of wines earn a medal.

Participating wine regions include:

  • Alsace
  • Beaujolais
  • Burgundy
  • Champagne
  • Corsica
  • Jura
  • Languedoc-Roussillon
  • Loire Valley
  • Lorraine
  • Savoie
  • Bordeaux
  • South-West
  • Provence
  • Rhône Valley

The history of the Show
The 4 sectors