La Cueillette Fabulette

In Soyaux, on the outskirts of Angoulême, La Cueillette Fabulette offers an original way to reconnect with the land: visitors can come to the garden and pick some of the fruit, vegetables, herbs or flowers themselves.

Situated in the Anguienne Valley, this market garden is committed to a locally-focused approach and respect for the seasons. Visitors don’t just come to buy produce: they also discover where it’s grown and rediscover the pleasure of a direct connection with the grower.

History and origins

La Cueillette Fabulette opened its doors in March 2009. Guillaume Gabard, together with his wife Laetitia, launched this venture after gaining several years’ professional experience at a pick-your-own farm in Seine-et-Marne. The couple, originally from Vienne, then sought out a suitable location for their project and settled in an old farmhouse in the Anguienne Valley.

The business was built on a simple principle: to bring consumers closer to producers by allowing them to harvest part of the produce themselves.

Expertise

La Cueillette Fabulette grows produce in tune with the seasons. The garden covers around 6.5 hectares, including nearly 2,000 m² of greenhouses. Fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers are grown there in harmony with natural cycles.

The pick-your-own philosophy is also based on freshness: some produce is harvested directly by customers, whilst others, such as courgettes, may be picked by the team to ensure they are harvested at the right stage.

Produce

Depending on the season, you can find, amongst other things:

• Seasonal vegetables: courgettes, broad beans, lettuces, spinach, fennel, radishes, rocket, sorrel, onions and other vegetables in season.
• Herbs: basil, coriander, chives, parsley and wild garlic.
• Red berries and strawberries, depending on the harvest season.
• Flowers, which also add to the picking experience.

Availability naturally changes from week to week.

A grocery shop also complements the range with local and seasonal produce.

The signature product

A basket of freshly picked vegetables is undoubtedly one of the best ways to discover the spirit of Fabulette.

The appeal lies as much in the produce as in the experience: choosing your own vegetables from the garden, harvesting them at just the right moment and then cooking them straight away allows you to reconnect directly with local produce.

To get the most out of the vegetables, opt for simple cooking: roasting, stir-frying, gratins, soups or salads help to preserve their freshness and flavour.

The visitor’s experience

Fabulette’s Pick-Your-Own scheme turns a shopping trip into a proper outing to the garden. Depending on what’s in season, visitors can come and pick their own fruit, vegetables, herbs or flowers.

The farm has also developed an educational and social dimension, notably through workshops and events focused on discovering agriculture.

Where can you find the produce?

Produce is sold directly at La Cueillette Fabulette, in Soyaux.

As produce is seasonal, the range varies throughout the year. Opening hours may also be adjusted depending on the weather and growing conditions.

Key points

La Cueillette Fabulette offers a different way to eat locally:

• a market garden based in Soyaux since 2009;
• fruit and vegetables grown throughout the seasons;
• herbs and flowers;
• the chance to pick certain produce yourself;
• a direct link between producer and consumer;
• a unique spot to discover local farming on the outskirts of Angoulême.

A visit to La Cueillette Fabulette therefore allows you to fill your basket whilst taking the time to understand where the produce you eat comes from.