Manu's edible trail

Edible trail in Court-Saint-Étienne

An edible trail winding around Ouessant sheep pastures in a private garden.

The trail begins with a bed of perennial vegetables, an extension of the family’s vegetable patch, before entering the food forest and diving into a diverse understorey.

The whole property is dotted with old standard fruit trees tended by pomologist Pascal Brackelaire. These trees are a precious natural and food heritage, giving the site its unique character and rustic charm. They’re regularly maintained to keep them healthy and productive.

As the trail develops, new fruit trees are planted and new edible growing areas are laid out. These varied plantings enrich the site’s biodiversity and grow its food-producing potential. They create a living, productive landscape — as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to taste.

The edible trail also offers a space for learning and discovery for the family and their visitors. It’s a way to reconnect with nature, understand plants’ growth cycles, and discover the genuine flavours of fruit and vegetables grown on site.

Finally, this project also contributes to preserving the local environment. By creating habitats for wildlife and supporting pollination, it sustains biodiversity and helps the region’s ecological balance.

The edible trail is thus far more than a simple path: it’s a social, environmental and culinary project that gives everyone the chance to rediscover the pleasure of nature and genuine flavours.

Type: Design

Area: 2 hectares

Delivery: 2024

Designer: Michael Hulet