Jacques Aduriz
Jacques Aduriz is a garde du littoral, a coast conservationist whose role is to look after coastal sites and welcome visitors. Here, he watches over 110 hectares of a fragile land of salt meadows, marshes, forest and gardens.
Jacques Aduriz is a garde du littoral, a coast conservationist whose role is to look after coastal sites and welcome visitors. Here, he watches over 110 hectares of a fragile land of salt meadows, marshes, forest and gardens.
The maritime Abbey of Beauport in Paimpol, in the heart of a preserved natural area, is home to a conservation orchard of some 500 apple trees tended by coastal ranger Jacques Aduriz, assisted in the day-to-day maintenance by a team of Breton cows and sheep.
A sunny autumn morning at Beauport Abbey. In the misty sea air there are scents of mushrooms, dead wood, wet grass and apples. A feast for the senses! It goes without saying that the apple reigns supreme here. Jacques tells us that there are around 500 apple trees on 3 hectares, with 60 different species, 80% of which are specific to Beauport.
Artisan vintage
Stretching over 100 hectares of coast and land, the domaine of Beauport Abbey is nestled in the bay of Paimpol between the presqu’île de Guilben and the pointe de Kérarzic. Property of the Conservatoire du Littoral coastal protection agency since 1992, this is where Jacques works. He describes how the original orchards, planted for cider apples, have been transformed into conservation orchards. The old apple trees have been retained, while new varieties have been created using grafting techniques. The plants are essentially Breton, particularly from the Goëlo and the Trégor.
The aim is to preserve heritage fruit endangered by the standardisation and homogenisation of commercial varieties and guarantee the continued existence of a genetic reservoir.
A range of apple varieties is used to produce artisan cider and apple juice based on a blend conceived several years ago by Jacques. There are many factors at play, which means that the taste and flavours may vary from year to year.
Breton breeds
Here the land is alive, with a rich biodiversity making up a mosaic of natural habitats - reed beds, rocky shores, salt meadows, marshes, woods, streams and ponds. Thanks also to the skill and dedication of Jacques and the team of gardeners who have used a zero-herbicide approach for many years. The sea air that caresses the apple trees also adds its own special touch.
Tulipe and Ursin, the two pretty pie noire cows who graze contentedly in the orchards also appreciate the fresh air and the tranquil way of life. They are nature’s own gardeners, with hooves adapted to the wetland (during the spring tides, the roots of the trees can be submerged in brackish water) just like Naoned, another hardy little cow - this time from Nantes as her Breton name indicates - with a coat the colour of the famous Petit LU biscuits. For Jacques, the idea is to eventually have the four Breton breeds to maintain the pastures. That leaves a Froment de Léon and an Armoricaine to complete the team.
In the meantime, alongside the cows are ten Lande de Bretagne sheep who also look after the land while waiting for the arrival of their cousins from Belle-Ile. A whole herd of hardy breeds, perfectly adapted to the local climate.
A real taste of apple
The precious biodiversity is preserved by late mowing, just before the apple harvest, plus protected breeding and nesting areas for all the species that play their part: the bird eats the grub, the hedgehog eats the slug, and so on.
This natural balance and constant attention to detail give the Abbey cider and apple juice an undeniable quality - juicy and tasty with a character that is much appreciated by connaisseurs who are delighted to discover their very own Proust’s madeleine : not too sweet with a real apple taste!
(© Text by: Fanch Le Pivert - Publihebdos)
