Le Verger de Conques
Le Verger de Conques offers a whole range of products based around chestnuts: cream, natural chestnuts, flour and chips.
In Conques, in the Aveyron region, the chestnut tree is an integral part of the landscape and local history. Abandoned since the early 20th century, chestnut cultivation can regain its place and provide healthy, locally sourced food. Since this heritage is close to my heart, I didn’t hesitate to take over a chestnut orchard in 2021* and have become a chestnut grower in addition to my other paid job. This 2-hectare orchard, planted 50 years ago, consists mainly of the Marigoule variety: a large-sized chestnut (which can be called a “marron”), with very few partitions (the two skins peel off very easily).
It can be used as a substitute for potatoes or as an appetizer (whole, plain chestnuts), rice (chestnut pieces), complements other flours to avoid gluten, and delights your taste buds as a dessert (creams).
The chestnut grove and harvests are managed and certified under organic farming standards: cleaning the paths with a harrow and sheep, installing nets, and harvesting and sorting using a vacuum cleaner and a grading machine.
A beekeeper friend has set up hives to produce honey and to pollinate the chestnut trees. And for biological pest control, we install nesting boxes for bats and chickadees.
The chestnuts are stored in a cold room until they are processed (between 0°B0 and 2%B0C to prevent freezing and the development of worms). I decided to partner with two artisanal businesses to help me process the chestnuts.
* With my partner, our three little rascals, and the help of friends!
Note: In July and August, the Verger de Conques is a stop on the gourmet mountain bike tour organized by O’Bike on Tuesday mornings: Gourmet Bike Tour - Conques-Marcillac Tourist Office
