Apples are the star fruits of autumn. And to take full advantage of it, some orchards open their doors to the public. Find the non-exhaustive list of these places in metropolitan France not to be missed to pick the fruits yourself.

Put on your boots and your hat, the orchards are waiting for you! Since the end of August and until the beginning of November - or earlier for some - many orchards open their doors to apple lovers to offer them free picking. Besides being a enjoyable activity and entertaining to do with family or friends, this outing is also interesting for your budget . By picking your own fruit, you do not have to pay harvesting or transport costs. The price per kilo therefore become very interesting . A kilo of apples will cost you approximately between 0.80 euro and 1.70 euro. As for quality, most of these orchards are certified bios and the fruits are sure costs since you pick them!

What happens when you pick your own apples?

Although each orchard has its own organization, certain points remain the same. In most places, it is often advisable to bring its own container . Crate, bag, box, whatever suits you. Once there, wheelbarrows are usually available to you. You can then choose the varieties you want, depending on the period some apples will be recommended to you more than others.

To know if the apples are ready to be picked, a technique : they detach themselves from the shaft when they are turned a quarter turn on themselves . You also have to take a look on the ground, there will also be some that fell recently from the tree. Once your harvests are done, all you have to do is go to the weighing , set and voila!

Where to pick your apples?

Throughout mainland France, farms and orchards are open to young and old all year round or on specific dates.

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

• In Ain, the orchard of Combes Abbey offers 18 different varieties of apples. Open to the public on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, apple picking will be possible on September 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, 25 and 29 and then until October 16. All the details can be found on the site of the abbey.
• At Domain of Beaune , the 2022 harvest began on September 8. The quality apples present in quantity are to be picked every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prices were set at 1.50 euros per kilo. The estate invites the interested public to call for more information.

Burgundy-Franche-Comte

• The Sellières Orchards originated over 50 years ago. Today, the place offers the public free pickings of different fruits. In addition to cherry, pear and strawberry trees, the place has more than 12,000 apple trees. The varieties to be picked as well as the precise dates are announced on the site. The orchard is closed on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings.
• Open 7 days a week, the noslon vergers offer 12 varieties of apples including Gala, Canada Grise, Granny Smith and Golden Smoothee. Go to their site to get a voucher for a free kilo when picking up the first 10 kilos.

Brittany

• On Saturdays September 17 and October 1, 2022 between 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. he gardens of Brocéliande open their doors to apple lovers. Free admission will be at the Grand Clos, in Bréal-sous-Montfort. Organic fruits, ideal for cooking all types of compotes, crumbles or other desserts will be available at 1.70 euros per kilo.
• To Kerlann Gardens , the public has full access to the vegetable farm and can freely pick, since 2011, the fruits and vegetables of their choice. On site, wheelbarrow or basket, farm plan, knife and bags will be provided. The farm is located between Ambon and Muzillac.

Centre-Loire Valley

• Starting Wednesday, September 14, the Verger Bio du Val de Baule will open to the public. Pick-up is possible on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoon. Located on the banks of the Loire, the orchard grows around fifty varieties of apples.
• Because apples are best eaten fresh, the Jonchere orchard welcomes fruit lovers to pick quality apples. In Sigloy, the place invites visitors to take advantage of the fresh air and the countryside to 'bite into life' and apples. The orchard is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoon and Saturday until 6 p.m.

Great East

• To the picking Peltre , south of Metz, the traditional apple festival will take place on September 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many activities will be offered to the public throughout the weekend. The rest of the year, the harvests take place according to the seasons, from April to November. Local products such as eggs, flour, dairy products and meat are also on sale.
• Rhubarbes, framboises, prunes, carottes, tomatoes... The Picking Muizon offers a wide choice of fruits and vegetables to harvest. 15 minutes from the center of Reims, this operation also leaves the public free to pick the apples they want. Access is possible every day and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. non-stop on weekends.

Hauts-de-France

• The domain of Pouy sells apples, pears, potatoes and apple juice. The apples are available for picking and a calendar is visible online to know the varieties offered throughout the season. Over the next few weeks, apple lovers will be able to pick Canadian Gray Reinette, Cox, Gala, etc.
• In the heart of Douaisi, the Ferin picking offers a wide variety of apples to pick. A harvest calendar is available on their website. The orchard remains open even on rainy days, ponchos and overshoes can be borrowed at the entrance. And for the more cautious, fruits and vegetables are available for purchase directly.

Ile-de-France

• Every day until 6 p.m., come and pick apples, tomatoes, onions, raspberries, rhubarb at Jouy-en-Josas . On the Saclay plateau, 17 km from Paris, 50 hectares of fruit, vegetables and flowers are cultivated in a 'rational' way.
• The Vergers of Champlain receive the public until October 31 every day. On weekends, picking is possible there until 6 p.m. From November to May, the orchard is closed on Sundays, Mondays and public holidays. In addition to harvesting various fruits and vegetables, the orchard also offers deliveries and drive-thru.

Normandy

• To the Harvesting of Pithienville , The apple will be in the spotlight on the weekend of September 24 and 25. Tastings of apple pies and apple juice will be organized, among other things. The gardens are open every day as well as on Sunday mornings.
• In Cagny, an orchard offers free picking but also the sale of apple juice and sparkling apple juice. Strawberries, raspberries and different types of apples such as Queens of Reinettes are to be harvested at the Picking Cagny .

New Aquitaine

• From September 15 to October 12 from 2 p.m., in Saint-Maurin, the estate of Ferrussac welcomes its visitors for free access apple picking. The historic site also offers direct sales as well as accommodation in a restored lodge.
• Close to Pau, the Aragnon picking is open every day and on Sunday mornings. On site, you will also find a grocery store and a bistro that will offer you freshly harvested products. Animations are often offered to the public. Find all the details about their site .

Occitania

• On a plot of 10 hectares, the orchard of Foncoussieres grows over 20 varieties of apples. In full development of an organic range, the place is committed to eco-responsible agriculture. Apples are also sold directly in their store.
• In Buzet-sur-Tarn, the Azémars orchard welcomes the public from Monday to Saturday until 7 p.m. Fifteen varieties of apples are grown there. To optimize your visit, the orchard offers to keep you informed by text message when new varieties of apples are available for picking. All the information can be found on their site .

Pays de la Loire

• 20 minutes from the center of Nantes, the apple house gives public access to its Bauche Malo orchard on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. As of September 16, the Golden, Melrose and Jubilee varieties will be available. From October, it will be the turn of Goldrush, Reinette d'Armorique and Patte de Loup. More details about their site .
• To the Chebuette's disease , all the apples to be picked are organic. From Granny Smith, Canadian Gray Reinette, Idared and Golden varieties, there's something for everyone. The farm is open all year round from Monday to Saturday.

Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

• From August 26 to mid-October, the château d'Astros in Vidauban is transformed into a meeting place for apple lovers. Every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the domain is free to enter. Park your car a few minutes from the apple trees, bring a wheelbarrow at your disposal and pick! Then all you have to do is put the crates in your trunk and drive to the weigh-in. Do not hesitate to make a detour in the castle, fresh apple juice is on sale there.
• The Domaine de la Portaniere is classified in the Protected Designation of Origin Côtes de Provence area but the place does not only have vines. The estate located on the Route des Maures also offers apple picking to the public. The apple orchard is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Source journaldesfemmes.fr