LOCAL PRODUCTIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF AGRITOURISM

1. LOCAL PRODUCTIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF AGRITOURISM

2. PLAN • Where is situated the Vihiersois-Haut Layon? • Promotion of local products in the Vihiersois-Haut Layon • 5 actions of The Tourist Office of the Vihiersois-Haut Layon to promote local products in its territory : • Local hike « Hot wine and Gingerbread » in December 2006 • Promotion of the local producers in the Tourist Office • Visits to the wine growers and local farms during summer • Promotion of the local producers by a brochure and an internet site • Future action : Taste Week in October

3. Where is situated the Vihiersois-Haut Layon? France Pays de Loire en Layon Le Vihiersois-Haut Layon

4. Promotion of local products in the Vihiersois-Haut Layon • There are several different productions : • Wine with the famous Coteaux du Layon • Cattle rearings and other farm cultures • Foie gras • And other shopkeepers : • Baker’s shops • Delicatessen • Artists • Vacation homes

5. 5 actions of The Tourist Office of the Vihiersois-Haut Layon to promote local products in its territory : • Local hike « Hot wine and Gingerbread » in December 2006 : • Organization with 3 wine growers • 3 stops were provided in the cellars of the wine growers and walkers drank hot wine or hot chocolate and ate gingerbread. Results : • 160 walkers participated • They were very satisfied because the route was great and the gingerbread was good

6. Passavant-sur-Layon Wine grower of Cléré-sur-Layon Wine grower of Passavant-sur-Layon

7. Promotion of the local producers in the Tourist Office : • Presentation of products of local producers in the Tourist Office • 3 or 4 producers are promoted at the same time • Each month, new producers are presented Results • People who come to the Tourist Office look theses products • They ask where they can buy it

8. Buffalo breeding Wine grower Producer of foie gras Promotion of local producers at the same time as an exhibition of a local sculptor

9. Visits to the wine growers and local farms during summer: • Each Wednesday afternoon, in July and August, visit to a farm • Each Thursday morning, from June to August, visit to a wine cellar for tasting • It was free Results • Not a big success for this first time • In general, groups of 5-6 persons • Possible explanations : • bad weather of this summer? • Tourists prefer to visit famous monuments instead of these small farms? • Possible solution : • To create 2 farm markets during summer to promote the producers of the territory

11. Promotion of the local producers by a brochure and an internet site : • www.tourisme-vihiersois.com

12. Future action : Taste Week in October • Taste week was created in France in 1992 to promote good food and to teach to children how to eat well • Taste week from 15th to 20th of October 2007 • In the Vihiersois-Haut Layon : • Visits to local farms, baker’s shops and of productions of foie gras • Collaboration with local schools – again to show the importance of the local community and what it produces to children • Restaurant will produce special menu • The Tourist Office will organize a competition of recipes opened to the inhabitants of the Vihiersois-Haut Layon