The height of summer is over, the sun has done her job,
autumn is almost upon us and it’s the season to harvest. Not only are the
grapes ready but the apples are also in abundance and are begging to be picked.
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| Apple harvest at Chateau D'Astros |
If you would like a different family day out take yourselves
over to the Var to visit Chateau D’Astros and spend a leisurely day
wine-tasting, picnicking and picking your body weight in apples!
Located about 15 minutes from Junction 36 of the A8 you will
find the domaine of Chateau D’Astros, just outside Vidauban centre. As you
cross the bridge and approach the Chateau you will see signs pointing to the
left for the Cuillette des Pommes and the Chateau to the right.
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| Up at the top of the tree |
Firstly we went
up to the Chateau and parked up beside it where there are lots of picnic tables
in the trees - I however would recommend
bypassing these and walking around to the left of the Chateau. There is a sign
across the gravel drive / path saying No Entry / Private but never fear in
smaller type it says it is fine for pedestrians.
In the wooded / shady area in the shadow of the front of the
house you will find plenty of places to put a blanket down and enjoy lunch and
kick a ball around.
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| Chateau D'Astros |
Back in the area where you park will find a little buvette
stand and also the wine tasting area.
Then for the apple picking part of the day. The owners of the vineyard found themselves
with an abundance of water bathing the edge of the domaine and decided what
better way to use this fertilized soil than by planting apple orchards.
They now have over 10,000 apple trees offering up about 10
different varieties (Reine des Reinette, Early Red One, Starking, Golden,
Idared, Reinette Belchard, Granny Smith, Pinova, Reinette Grise and Black
Stayman). Depending on when exactly you go different varietals will be ready
and ripe for picking – when we went early September it was the green Goldens and
the rosy red Starkings that were on offer.
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| The 'Golden' Apples |
There is one road into the picking area and after you have
parked up you get a trolley / ladder from the ‘parking area’. Be sure to bring
your own crates (preferable) that can fit on the trolleys or bags. On busy days
these do all get taken quite quickly so avoid the peak time of 2-4pm.
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| The trolleys! |
Once you have picked your fill you then return to the same
entry point where they weigh the bags etc. Here you can also buy pre-picked
produce and home-made apple juice and wine. They accept cash, cheque or credit
card. For less than 9kg of apples the price is €1.50 per kg, dropping to €1.25
for over 9kg. And if you really go mad and pick over 50kg the price is only €1
per kg!
TOP TIP: Don’t leave at 4pm… the queue to pay and weigh was
about 45 mins long. Best advice would be to arrive around 1pm and make sure to
leave about 2.30/3pm. Or come later, say 4-5.30pm.
The picking season runs every day from the end of August
through to the 31st October and is open from 10am
– 6pm.
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| Getting stuck into the picking |
They are also hosting a pumpkin festival the 20th and
21st of October – bouncy castles, free activities, apple juice
tasting, food truck etc.
Dogs are accepted on a leash.
Directions:
From Marseille / Toulon : A8 Exit N°13 – Le Luc / Vidauban, then
RN 7 to Vidauban. In the center of the village take the left onto the D48 heading
to Lorgues you will find the Domaine after 900m.
From Nice : A8 Exit N°36 – Le Muy / Saint Tropez then RN 7
to Vidauban. In the center of the village take the right onto the D48 heading
to Lorgues you will find the Domaine after 900m.
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| Home-made Apple Juice and Rose Wine |
Now the question is what to do with all those apples – cider, compote, tarte tatin, apple pie…. The list goes on!
Accommodation:
Visiting the French Riviera and haven't booked your accommodation yet? Why not check out our wonderful centrally-located, self catering, townhouses and apartments sleeping from 2 - 11 people. All our properties are air-conditioned and are located on pedestrian streets within 5 minutes walk of the beach. We are a small family-run company so we are on hand for anything you may need before, during or after your stay!
Chic Gites - Accommodation Cannes
Accommodation:
Visiting the French Riviera and haven't booked your accommodation yet? Why not check out our wonderful centrally-located, self catering, townhouses and apartments sleeping from 2 - 11 people. All our properties are air-conditioned and are located on pedestrian streets within 5 minutes walk of the beach. We are a small family-run company so we are on hand for anything you may need before, during or after your stay!
Chic Gites - Accommodation Cannes
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