Gourmet road trip in Haut-Poitou

Stage 1: Production of foie gras in Chalandray

To start, head for the "far west" of the Vienne. First stop just before Deux-Sèvres, at Chalandray, a small town crossed by the N149. On the left, an alley of oaks leads to the Mitteault House, duck producer for 45 years... Here, the waterflies are raised outdoors on the seventeen hectares of the park and processed and prepared on site. Foie gras, pâtés, rillettes, canned, fresh or frozen, there is something for everyone… and if you hesitate, you go back with the "gourmet package".

In the middle of the village, a small monument tells us that we have just crossed… the Greenwich meridian.

Step 2: Discovery of Perle and Pépins jams in Vouzailles

Direction Vouzailles, 10 kilometers to the northeast. The wide plains of Haut-Poitou offer themselves to the gaze, to infinity. Vouzailles and its dovecote from 1674, Vouzailles and its treasure: Perle and Pépin jams! Estelle Rivard composes magical associations of fruits, vegetables, alcohols, spices and flowers. At random, taste “Pears-shard of truffles” or “Melon-pineau des Charentes”. Favorite of the jury at the Mondial de la Jam, the wonders of Perle and Pépins are on sale at the bakery.

Stage 3: Wine tasting at the Domaine de Villemont in Mirebeau

Our journey continues on the D24 towards Mirebeau. A few islet vineyards, typical of the area, dot the landscape. The sun generously waters the clay-limestone soils which make the PGI melons. This soil is also the ideal terroir for Haut-Poitou grape varieties. To Domaine de Villemont, the Bourdier family has been winegrowers for 4 generations. It produces a nice range: white, red and rosé wines, special vintages, sparkling wines and grape juice. The visit reveals all the secrets of the process, from the vine to the finished product.

Step 4: Visit a goat farm in Thurageau

Bifurcation towards the south this time, towards the place called Agressais, in Thurageau. Gilles Turpeau awaits us for a visit to the goat farm to meet its 650 pretty alpine goats. We discover there the different stages of production of these sumptuous cheeses. The tasting brightens up our taste buds!

Stage 5: Walnut oil in Neuville

Another twelve kilometers due south and our trip takes us to the gates of Haut-Poitou, to Neuville. Here is one of the most old oil mills in Poitou still in operation. The delicious smell of freshly squeezed nuts fills the nostrils. After the visit, a visit to the shop allows us to unearth a sublime pistachio oil, pepper or vineyard vinegar.

Stage 6: Brasserie de Bellefois in Neuville

To end this gourmet road-trip in style, a stop is a must at the restaurant of the Bellefois Brewery, one of the first craft breweries of the department. We taste them while discovering the menu, made from products … from Haut-Poitou of course!