Alexandre Racanière, farmer and nurseryman - Aphaïa Nature

At Molières-Cavaillac, a small hamlet nestled in the Arre valley, Alexandre Racanière does much more than grow fruit trees: he preserves a living heritage.

Having returned to the family estate some twenty years ago, this former osteopath and naturopath has undergone a reconversion guided by the land and plants. For the past eight years, he has swapped the practice for the orchard, trained in pomology and arboriculture, notably with the Vergers de Lozère association.

The former apple orchard, which covers less than a hectare, has now become a collection orchard, with some forty varieties of apple, fifteen pears, as well as persimmons, plums, cherries and quinces. Some are grown on site, others on terraces spread over several communes.

In the event of a problem, the dispersal of fruit trees means they can be saved. I consider this diversity to be a treasure. I collect local, forgotten or rare varieties, which have cultural and gastronomic value for the Cévennes.

But Alexandre's commitment doesn't stop at cultivation. He also offers grafted fruit plants, some of which are sold at autumn fairs.

At the same time, I share my know-how by running grafting and pruning courses with the Terres Arboricoles Cévenoles association, and train future arboriculturists at the Gard vocational training and agricultural promotion center.

On the same land, he also grows aromatic and medicinal plants, which he carefully processes.

As a former therapist, I find in these gestures the natural extension of his previous profession. He picks by hand, then macerates them in olive oil, sometimes for 40 days, to produce his oil macerates: St. John's wort, immortelle, daisy, laurel... 100% natural oils for body care and inner balance.

He also prepares the famous 4 thieves vinegar, renowned for its stimulating and soothing properties. All his products are certified organic, and most of them are prepared biodynamically, in short circuits, with a deep respect for natural rhythms.

Beneficiary Esprit parc national for the past three years, Alexandre embodies a sensitive and committed approach to life, where each fruit, each plant, each gesture carries a memory to be passed on.