Since its creation in 1975, the Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park has been committed to preserving the genetic heritage of the territory, notably through the creation of a network of conservation orchards.
What is a heritage collection conservation orchard?
A conservation orchard brings together different varieties of the same fruit species, most often representative of a territory, in order to preserve old varieties. On the Park territory they are apple and pear trees.
Defining the varieties
In order to establish a base of conservation orchards, the Park, with the help of the Muséum d'histoire naturelle, has identified 205 varieties of fruit. Each of the varieties listed was the subject of a detailed and illustrated description, enabling a more in-depth knowledge of the orchards on the territory. Of these 205 varieties, 75 were cider apples, 61 were dessert apples, 69 were Poiré pears and 40 were dessert pears. The total exceeds 205 varieties because some are called "dual purpose", and therefore counted twice.
| Click here to consult the apple and pear varieties database on the territory |
A network of orchards
The Maison du Parc orchards in Carrouges and the Poiré Museum in Barenton were created as part of a study and conservation programme with the Natural History Museum.
Over the last 40 years, more orchards have joined the network of orchards classed as "conservation":
- Sainte-Anne-de-Champfrémont
- Ambrières-les-Vallées
- Le château de Carrouges
Since 2012, the Park continues its preservation action, notably through a partnership with the ALMA association (the Association of Friends of Aymak Djangaliev for the conservation of Malus sieversii - sustainable bioethical development France-Kazakhstan).