Au Jard'in des Chèvres

A few kilometres south-east of Angoulême, in Vouzan, ‘Au Jard’in des Chèvres’ is a farm dedicated to rearing Alpine goats and processing their milk. The farm operates organically and focuses on direct sales, creating a direct link between the farm, its produce and consumers.

History and origins

The farm was established in 2018. Hélène, who has been passionate about goat farming since the age of 23, set up the farm with a commitment to organic farming from the very beginning. The farm has developed around a herd of Alpine goats, milk production and on-site processing.

The farm is situated in a place called Le Jard, in Vouzan, in a rural area near Angoulême. Her venture combines livestock farming, processing and direct sales, with a clear commitment to welcoming the public to explain the choices made regarding respect for animals, the environment and the people who work there.

Expertise

At Le Jard’in des Chèvres, the milk produced by the goats is processed directly on the farm. The farm offers a varied range of dairy products: fresh cheeses, mature cheeses, flavoured cheeses, log-shaped cheeses, creamy products, appetiser-sized portions, tommes and yoghurts.

The farm also has land set aside for pasture, alfalfa and cereals, intended for the farm’s own consumption. This approach ensures that the herd’s feed is closely aligned with the farm’s livestock requirements.

The products

• Fresh cheeses. Mild and milky, these allow you to discover the natural flavour of goat’s milk in its simplest form. A salted, unmoulded fresh cheese is notably among the products that have won awards at the Concours des Saveurs de Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
• Matured and flavoured cheeses. Maturation develops the cheese’s texture and flavours. The farm also offers flavoured varieties to add variety.
• Goat’s milk tomme. The range includes a pressed tomme, which has a firmer texture and is ideal for serving on a cheese platter.
• Goat’s milk yoghurts. Whether plain or flavoured, they offer another way to discover the farm’s milk. The plain goat’s milk yoghurt, in particular, won a gold medal at the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Flavours Competition.

The signature product

Goat’s milk yoghurt is one of the products that has particularly distinguished the farm. The plain goat’s milk yoghurt was awarded a gold medal at the Concours des Saveurs de Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

Best enjoyed on its own, well chilled, it also makes a lovely addition to breakfast, dessert or a recipe. To fully appreciate its character, tasting it plain allows you to savour all the creaminess and freshness of the goat’s milk.

The visitor experience

The farm does more than just sell its produce. Milking demonstrations are held on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 6 pm, offering a chance to see the work involved in goat farming at first hand.

This open-door policy is part of the farm’s commitment to explaining its choices and bringing producers and consumers closer together.

Where can you find the products?

Farm shop: At ‘Au Jard’in des Chèvres’, in Vouzan.

The products are also available at several markets and in various local shops, notably in Angoulême, Dirac, Soyaux and Chazelles.

Buying directly from the farm also gives you the chance to meet the team and discover their range of cheeses and dairy products.

Key points

Au Jard’in des Chèvres is one of those farms that really bring home what it means to eat locally: organically reared goats, milk processed on site and products sold directly to consumers.

In Vouzan, the experience involves sampling fresh cheese and yoghurt as much as it does getting to know the farm. A must-visit for lovers of farmhouse goat’s cheese and short supply chains around Angoulême.