The Hautes-Alpes, the leading organic farming region in France

After years of organic transition, the Hautes-Alpes is currently the national reference in this field. In the heart of its valleys, its environmentally-friendly farms guarantee all the quality of its exceptional terroir.

Published on 26 October 2021

A leader in organic farming in France

The territory of the Hautes-Alpes is now one of the most committed to organic farming in France and even comes first in this yearly rating according to the studies of l’Agence BIO (the agency in charge of the development and promotion of organic farming in France). This first place is hardly surprising since around 40 % of its farming land is organically certified. Land which produces wine, cured products, cheese, vegetables and fruit such as the famous IGP Alpes-de-Haute-Durance apples and all according to the organic charter.

A terroir committed to these dynamics

In the Hautes-Alpes organic food is everywhere, and mushrooms are no exception. Shiitake and oyster mushrooms grow in an exceptional environment inside the Caserne Rochambeau listed in the UNESCO World Heritage (Vauban), in the fortified village of Mont-Dauphin. The blue cheeses of the Queyras and the soft cheeses from the Fromagerie de Monbardon and the Coopérative laitière des Alpes du Sud also mature inside this national monument. To go with them, there’s nothing better than a few sips from one of the 200 different bottles of “La Grave-La Meije 3200” Chartreuse.

Which continue right into your plate

The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence offer another previous liquid, Monclar mineral water captured at an altitude of 1,650 metres (which makes this the highest spring in France). Between Provence, Italy and the Mediterranean, the Southern French Alps provide a beautiful selection of specialities, from the tourtons du Champsaur to the oreilles d’âne du Valgaudemar, the fontu du Queyras and the famous farcis niçois. A healthy cuisine full of taste and mostly vegetable-based.

An exemplary and inspiring department

Highly sensitive to new more healthy and environmentally-friendly consumption trends, the Hautes-Alpes have used these last few years to invest in organic farming. This trend enabled them to use the services of many young new farmers during 2020, 40 to be precise and of whom half are specialized in organic farming. The leading land of organic farming in France, the Hautes-Alpes have thus strengthened their unique, protected and eco-friendly character to become one of the key sustainable tourism destinations on French soil.