La Ferme Charentaise

In Garat, on the outskirts of Angoulême, La Ferme Charentaise runs a family-owned orchard specialising in apples. The farm, now run by Emma and Max, offers a farm shop where visitors can discover seasonal fruit and a range of products made from the harvest.

Fresh apples, juice, non-alcoholic sparkling drinks, jellies, purées and dried apples make up a range that showcases the fruit in all its different forms. The farm also hosts events and gatherings centred around life in the orchard.

History and origins

La Ferme Charentaise is part of the history of a family-run orchard in Garat, formerly known as Pomme Hervouet. Today, the site showcases Emma and Max as the young farmers who are continuing and developing this apple-focussed business.

La Ferme Charentaise was officially established in July 2024, with its registered business activity being the cultivation of pome and stone fruit.

Expertise

The farm’s work centres on growing apples and selling them directly to the public. The farm practises sustainable agriculture, with a commitment to limiting the use of chemical inputs, preserving biodiversity and prioritising the flavour of the fruit.

Processing also enables the harvest to be utilised in various forms: juice, purées, compotes, jellies and even dried apples.

Produce

• Seasonal apples. The farm offers several varieties of apples, each with its own distinct flavour profile: sweet, tangy or crunchy.
• Apple juice. Made from apples grown in the orchard, it is one of the main ways of prolonging the enjoyment of the harvest.
• Non-alcoholic sparkling drinks. A fruity and festive range centred on apples.
• Applesauce and compotes. These allow you to enjoy the taste of the fruit in a smoother, creamier form.
• Artisan jellies. Another way to process and preserve the orchard’s fruit.
• Dried apples. Perfect for snacking on as they are or for use in cooking.

The farm also offers a selection of local delicatessen products sourced through partnerships with other Charente producers, including honey, walnuts, hazelnuts and various food items.

The signature product

The orchard apple is, naturally, the product you should try first.

Fresh, crisp and enjoyed when fully ripe, it offers a direct taste of the work carried out in the orchard. The different varieties offer a range of balances between sweetness, acidity and crunch.

They can be enjoyed simply as they are, but also feature in desserts, tarts, compotes or savoury dishes. In Charente, they go particularly well with local produce and can be paired with goat’s cheese, for example.

The visitor experience

La Ferme Charentaise is not just about selling produce. The farm regularly organises open days, educational tours, children’s workshops, apple-themed events and monthly markets. These events offer a different way to discover how an orchard works and to chat with the growers.

Where can you find the produce?

La Ferme Charentaise sells its produce directly from the farm in Garat.

The farm also has a shop which, in addition to its own produce, stocks products from other local producers.

Apples are available depending on the season and harvest. The harvest period is, of course, an ideal time to explore the orchard and its produce.

Key points

Just a few kilometres from Angoulême, La Ferme Charentaise offers a wonderful opportunity to visit a Charente orchard, sample its apples and discover the processing work carried out with the fruit.