Every month, I introduce you to an interesting woman living in Languedoc. Curious as I am, I like to find out why she lives in this beautiful region, what she does for a living, and some of her Languedoc favourites. This month, Sarah Pearce shared her story with me about how she and her husband moved to France to start a fruit-picking farm. And now, 20 years later, Top Fruits is a successful ‘Cueillette à la Ferme’ with many loyal customers.
Introduction
Growing up in Sussex, England, I became pen friends with a girl from Provence, in the South of France, at the age of 13. It was when I visited her a couple of times that I fell in love with France. After college, I decided to study French and Russian in Nottingham. Part of the program was to spend six months in both countries. I started in Russia, in Moscow, then moved to France. It was quite a contrast, to say the least! It happened to be the opening year of Disneyland Paris, where I found a job, and I had a great time. Back in England, I began working and eventually moved to Oxfordshire, where I met my husband. Coming from a farming family, he served as the village’s farm manager.
First Time Visiting the Region
Jim, my husband, also had a thing for France. As we aspired to own our own farm, we decided to look overseas, as land in England was (and is) extremely expensive. Also because we knew that France offered opportunities for young farmers like ourselves. In 2004, we went to the South of France to visit about five farms. Our search was quite specific, as we were looking for a house and land at the same location. We started in Bouches-du-Rhône and continued our search in the Languedoc region. At one point, we drove from Capestang (1) to Argeliers (2) to visit another farm, where the landscape completely enchanted me. The rolling hills, the vines, the garrigue- everything rekindled my love for France.
Settling in Languedoc
The farm we visited in Argeliers is where we found our place. The house needed a lot of work, but it was set on 30 hectares of land, half of which was planted with peaches and the other half with vines. Initially, our produce went to the co-operative cave, which made it fairly easy to start. However, in 2005, both the peaches and vines faced a crisis. So we had to come up with another solution. Jim’s father had run a pick-your-own fruit farm in England back in the 80s. And we thought it might be a good idea to start in the South of France.
The first two years were challenging, but we eventually found our market. The French love their food, and they embraced the idea of collecting their own produce. It had a great snowball effect, and now we welcome between 200 and 300 customers daily during the summer. Everyone is incredibly appreciative and kind, which makes our work feel rewarding.
Top Fruits
At our farm in Argeliers, located in the heart of the Minervois vineyards, we operate Top Fruits (3 & 4). Here, we sell our fruit and vegetables directly to our customers. During the months of May to October, we open 10 hectares of our land for people to harvest their own produce. We grow over 20 varieties, from strawberries and cherries in May, to apricots and peaches in summer and prunes and grapes as of September. Picking at our farm provides you with fresher and cheaper fruit and vegetables than those found in supermarkets. Mainly, because we choose our varieties based on flavour rather than yield. Over the past 20 years, our shop has evolved from a shed to a double-decker bus to the building it is now. If you keep an eye on our socials (Instagram and Facebook), I share updates on what’s available for picking.
I love my job and the variety it offers. It involves physical work during the planting and pruning seasons. Mental effort is also required for tasks like setting up planting schedules, managing accounts, and planning marketing. We wouldn’t have the busy summer months without the hard work we put in during winter. What I enjoy most is the social aspect- interacting with customers and receiving their feedback. Of course, we listen closely to our clients. That is why we grow about 10 to 15 tomato varieties that we change yearly, for example. And as most of our customers are food enthusiasts, we share some of their recipe ideas in our newsletter.
Top Fruits is open daily in June, July and August from 09h00 to 12h00 and 15h00 to 19h00. In May, September, and October, we open on weekends depending on produce availability. Our extra fresh free-range eggs- laid within the last seven days- are available year-round. From May to October, you will find them in our shop. During off-hours or the off-season, you can purchase them from our ‘Oeuf-o-Matic’ vending machine located in the parking area.
Setting Up a Business in France
We made sure we had help with the administrative setup. Local organisations like MSA (Mutualité Sociale Agricole) and the Chambre d’Agriculture have helped us establish both our business and our lives in France. There are a lot of things to think about when moving to another country, and we could always turn to them for guidance and support.
Living in the South of France
After more than 20 years, I can say that life here is possibly even better than I imagined. Family life is highly valued in France, and I don’t think we would have had four children if we had stayed in the UK. I remember our first dinner invitation, where it was completely normal to bring the kids along. Even when they were small, they were expected to join us, even if the gathering lasted until midnight.
Best Languedoc Wine
The wine at the Cave Co-Operative in our village, Argeliers, is outstanding; their wines win medals every year. My favourite white wine is Le Romarin, a Viognier, while for red, I prefer Lou Cigal (5). I keep trying wines elsewhere, but funny enough, I keep coming back to our local wines.
Favourite Restaurant
Without a doubt, my favourite restaurant is the Auberge de la Croissade in nearby Cruzy, beautifully located along the Canal du Midi. The owner, Bruno, is incredibly friendly, making it a great place to bring visitors. The menu changes with each season, featuring homemade dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Perfect Day Out in Languedoc
My ideal day out would definitely include enjoying oysters at the Étang de Thau. A favorite spot of mine is Domaine Tarbouriech, or their place right by the lagoon called Saint-Barth (6). After that, I would love to stroll through the medieval streets of Pézenas. I might even go for a hike, simply following the yellow signs you see everywhere—it’s a great way to explore new trails.
