Old fruit trees stand in tortuous silhouette in the Haute-Bléone region. True sentinels of memory, they are now attracting renewed interest, both in terms of heritage and economics.
Fertile farmland stretches around the confluence of the Bléone and Arigeol rivers. Long threatened by flooding, but very soon irrigated by canals, they were given over to the cultivation of fruit trees in the 18th century. First came plum trees, which were used to produce the famous Pistole. Later, apple and pear trees took over.
In 1933, there were over 5,000 fruit trees in La Javie, most of them winter pears that were sold after drying. The Sarteau pear did well and was marketed for confectionery. Then the trees were virtually abandoned, and it’s thanks to a few enthusiasts and the association La Javie Autrefois that the orchards have been saved and the little pear revived.
The Sarteau Pear Fair takes place in La Javie every November.
