The best local producers Franche-Comté

An outstanding winemaker, Jérôme Arnoux has 20 years of vineyard and cellar experience behind him, managing two niches at the same time. First, a 15-hectare estate, part of which is organic. Then there's "Les caves de la Reine Jeanne" (Queen Jeanne's cellars), where visitors are welcomed under medieval vaults and arches. It's hard to recommend a particular vintage, such is the care taken with each one. Our senses nevertheless came to rest on this "Exception", a 2018 Arbois rouge trousseau. A perfume of fresh fruit of unprecedented finesse, combined with a range of suppleness on the palate.

In the rue de la chouette is the Dijon boutique of Moutarderie Fallot. Here, you'll discover the traditional mustard-making process: the mustard seeds are ground on a stone millstone. Once or twice a month, the millstone on display in Dijon comes into operation to prepare Meursault mustard before your very eyes. At night, a hologram comes to life, showing you how the product is made. Pay a visit to the head office in Beaune. Linger at the mustard bar to discover all the flavors.

La Ferme du Château has become a popular place to buy seasonal vegetables and fruit. A "short circuit" formula with Olivier Père who has developed his market gardening activity by opening a self-service shop and even a direct picking place depending on the season. A partnership with the Moulin à Vent farm allows you to order vacuum-packed beef, heifer, veal and pork. La Ferme du Château allows city dwellers to buy their products as close as possible to the farmers. Good for the conscience!

Beekeeper Julien Compagnon produces honey and pollen from his local hives, as well as gingerbread, nougats, candies and cosmetics. His "workers" have made a name for themselves, earning the "Made in Jura" label. But these exceptional products are not the only ones to win awards, as was the case at the Concours Général Agricole 2023, with a double silver medal for fir and mountain honey.

In this pretty store located in the city center, you can come and fill up on snacks. You can find here the products of the brand Mistral whose factory is based in Semur-en-Auxois. The choice is large and the references are of quality. Pure butter madeleines, a whole range of soft filled Chocobeurs (caramel, orange, coconut) and brand new in the organic range, vegan cookies or Chocopecan, salted or sweet cookies, chocolates and confectionery, in short a place full of delicacies. Soft butter, French flour and whole eggs are a guarantee of quality.

Founded in 1999 in Pouilly-sur-Loire, Les Craquants is an artisanal cookie maker offering (as the name suggests!) a very famous hazelnut and almond cookie. Les Craquants was awarded the title of Best Biscuit in France in 2002. Available in several variations, they rub shoulders with Carabiquettes (famous goat's milk caramels), as well as Nevers nougatines and pavés de la route bleue. There's also a pleasant tea room and a fine delicatessen section.

Julien Favret and Laure's beekeeping philosophy can be summed up in an environmental reason and the satisfaction of working for oneself. The beekeepers have occupied an old sawmill since 2013 and built their honey house the following year, all dressed in wood. The 200 hives have been awarded the "Miel de montagne du Jura" designation. The "mountain flowers" and "fir/forest" nectars are the result. But don't forget the "dandelion", the first harvest of the year!

Just a stone's throw from Montreal, follow the ducks along the road and you'll arrive at Croc Duck. This farm operated by Adeline and Emmanuel Hivert is dedicated to duck. You will find foie gras, duck breast, terrines and other rillettes with chablis. But that's not all: every week, a food truck allows you to taste the farm's products from Noyers, Isle sur Serein, Montreal and Coutarnoux. And lunch baskets can even be delivered to companies or tourist groups in Avallon and Auxerre (by reservation).

Virginie is kind of the Mother Nature of the place. It knows the real products, those that taste, that are made with love and with respect for the environment. She talks to the local producers about the best of what is eating. Enter this grocery store with confidence as it will give you all the satisfaction. Know that you will find canned, ice, jam, very fresh meat, cakes, vegetables, drinks, tisanes… Anyway, everything! In summer, we delight with organic ice cream and organic fruit as well. For aperitifs, there is a choice: from liver foam to port, duck rillers from the farm, Fallot cupboards, Morvan pavement to various fragrances… Here you will buy well and take care of you while supporting the local economy. Know that Virginie is available to explain the origin of the products, the way they are developed, it's a true pro who always smiles, bonus!

The GAEC des Chemins Verts specializes in raising Charolais and Montbéliarde calves and heifers, as well as free-range pigs. Every month, we offer packages of fresh or prepared meat for sale. A wide range of high-quality products! If you'd like to experience a farm experience of your own, you can visit the farm and watch the calves being milked or fed. If you'd like to extend your stay here, two log cabins are also available for tourist rental.

A family business concerned with preserving traditional know-how and producing quality honeys. Dominique and Jean-Jacques Coppin will share their love of their region and their work with you by showing you around their honey house. The little ones can have a look at all the secrets of this sacred nectar from the flowers and the bees. The honeys and other derived products, such as the famous gingerbread, are absolutely to put in your gourmet baskets! An address that you will appreciate without saying a word.

Some organic, some local! The Drive fermier 21 offers a wide range of 100% Côte-d'Or farm products: bread, fruit and vegetables, meat, charcuterie, poultry and eggs, cheese and dairy products, ice cream, fish, snails, herbs and spices, beehive products, jams and sweet products, groceries, soft and hard drinks, wines and spirits, farmhouse beers and malts... Go to the site to place your order quietly. Make your basket before Wednesday at midnight and come to collect your order on Friday.

Behind their newly created storefront, Eric and Jérôme Vichet are jamming and unjamming the bubbles. These two partners are exclusively dedicated to sparkling wines. On the one hand, they make flavoured wines with local fruit and artisanal syrups from the renowned Rième house. You will find them with grapefruit, cherry, peach, blackberry, mojito, even chestnut and lime. They also make raw sparkling wines for aperitifs, meals and desserts, including crémants. And to satisfy your cravings for bubbles, organic beer.

Whether outside in his beehives or inside in his laboratory, you will find Philippe Clerc in white. In overalls or in a smock. The honey of this dynasty is a long story, Philippe being the last. Between Revermont and Bresse, he deploys his 350 "houses" on 12 sites. His "workers" bequeath him spring, flower, acacia, mountain, lime and fir honeys. You will be able to taste the range including its honey sweets, the recipe of the grandfather. One will also note the will to maintain very wise prices.

At Ferme du Pontot, Gérard and Philippe Plaçon have opted for direct sales of free-range eggs from their farm (which has 17,000 red hens). Some of the 15,000 eggs laid daily are consumed in the best restaurants in the Côte-d'Or region, but they can also be found in several grocery stores in Dijon, in the farm's vending machines (which are accessible 24 hours a day), and in five neighboring towns. The eggs are renowned for their quality and their Bleu, Blanc, Coeur label.

The Benoit's live in rue du Chardonnay in the "world capital of Ploussard". Not a handicap we assure you. The reds account for 50% of the 6 hectare estate, including 5 climates exclusive to this grape variety. It is managed by Benjamin. He will tell you about his objectives: sustainable vineyard management with the aim of becoming organic, manual harvesting in crates, vinification in barrels except for the Ploussard (in vats), without sulphiting or fining. At the same time, maintaining tradition, respecting each vineyard, and even preserving an 80 year old Chardonnay vine!