Fresh chestnuts - La Magnanerie du Serre

At La Magnanerie du Serre, the three oldest chestnut trees are over 320 years old. They undoubtedly lived through the reign of Louis XIV and the Camisard War. Along with the youngest, they survived the ink disease that appeared in the 19th century, and escaped being felled to supply the tannin factories. During the 20th century, they suffered from the exodus of the Cevennes population to the big cities and the abandonment of agricultural land.

When we arrived, we had to clear the brush, cut dead branches, shoots, brambles and ferns to free the grafted chestnut trees planted as orchards by the elders.

The chestnut harvest, which lasts throughout October and part of November, is carried out by hand, on nets or with a harvester that sucks in the fruit, depending on the location and the weather.

Chestnuts of the ancient varieties Pelligrine, Figarette and Combale, beneficiaries of the AOP châtaignes des Cévennes, are sold fresh.