Fougerolles Orchards and Kirsch Menu Heritage and Tours Sceneries and Men History of Men Geology and Climate Landscapes Hautes-Vosges The “Plateau des Mille Etangs” Fougerolles and Val d’Ajol Valleys Ballons of Franche-Comté Vosgian Valleys Haut-Rhin Valleys Wine-growing Foothills Natural Heritage Orchards Forests High Stubble Lakes, Ponds, Peatlands Ravines, Cliffs and Scree Slopes Calcareous Grasslands Local Products and Craftsmanship The Park Certification Label Drink Producers The Granite Industry The Wood Industry Meat Producers Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Mineral and Natural Spring Waters Fruit and Vegetables Products Fougerolles Orchards and Kirsch Fish Farming Vosgian Cattle Breed Cheeses Small Fruit, Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Alsatian Wine Smoked Meats and Andouilles Farmhouse-Inns Farm Shops Craftsmanship Textile Granite Lava Sandstone Wood industry Farm Markets Cultural Heritage Thermal Heritage Industrial Heritage Farms Country of Art and History Religious Heritage Intangible Cutural Heritage Heritage and Memory Castles Thematic Roads and Tracks Tourist Routes Treetop Adventure Park Barefoot Trails Environment Awareness Structures Parks and Botanical Gardens Museums and Heritage Sites Thermal Baths Venues for Shows, Exhibitions and Festivals At the Park Doors Colmar Remiremont Belfort Lure Mulhouse Luxeuil-les-Bains Saint-Dié-des-Vosges Nature activities Sylvotherapy Nordic Walking Guided Walks and Discovery trails Landscape walks along the Crest Road A Farm, A Hike Mountain Guides Pedestrian Hikes Club Vosgien / Club Alpin (Vosgian / Alpine Clubs) Reception Centres for Educational Stays Trail Running Mountain Biking and Cyclo-Tourism Equine Activities Climbing Hang Gliding Aeromodelism Fishing Water Sports Winter Activities Nature stays Camping in Nature ‘Valeurs Parc’ certified Furnished Accommodation and Guesthouses Hotels and restaurants The Ballons des Vosges Park is dedicated to promoting short tours as well as local produce and craftsmanship. In the Fougerolles area, tall trunk cherry trees are part of the heritage and date back from the seventeenth century. Kirsch was already produced back then, but it wasn’t until the early nineteenth century that distillery farms combining cherry production with polyculture-breeding appeared. Today, the geographical area of the “Kirsch de Fougerolles” AOC (labelled in May 2010) counts more than 10,000 cherry trees – among which 90% on Fougerolles territory. The cherry trade counts a hundred or so producers; a dozen among them distil on the farm, in 4 distilleries and in a shop of farmers-producers. Cherry tree culture and kirsch production are essential in the cultural and landscape identity of Fougerolles. High-trunk orchards also shelter many birds as farming practices remain extensive; meadow-orchards are mainly used for pastures. The old cherry varietal diversity is striking, with up to 50 species bearing meaningful names such as the Béchat, Jean Blanc, Chapendu, Marie-Jean Diaude or Tinette, each suited to the soil and micro-climate – therefore stretching harvest periods or improving pollination. To better appreciate the farmer-distillers’ craftsmanship and history spanning across several centuries, the Cherry Land Ecomuseum in Fougerolles proposes guided tours. Author advisa View all posts