ORGANIC RABBIT FARMERIN FLAVIGNAC

Meeting with Julien, Lapins des prés

Originally from the departments of Picardie and Vienne, it was in February 2021 that Julien and Océane set up as farmers in the pretty little hamlet of Busseroles, in Flavignac. Since then, Julien and Océane have been working in both businesses, and it takes a few years to understand why they chose this paradise of greenery and tranquility by chance.

Julien Bousiquier

Farm Lapins des prés.

Exploitation - Lapins des prés - Flavignac

Getting closer to the essentials

Working in the aeronautical industry in the Paris region, notably in cockpit finishing for rafales, it was in 2015 that Julien, aspiring to have a more diversified activity linked to the environment, resumed his studies in the agricultural field, studying “cheese-making and goat and dairy cow breeding”. He then went on to specialize in cheese processing in Aurillac, Cantal. Finally, it was at the training center that he came across a farm takeover advert in the heart of the Limousin. He took part in a 2-year sponsorship scheme, which unfortunately came to nothing. What’s more, the couple liked Flavignac and couldn’t see themselves leaving just yet. It was at this point that he was reminded of the absence of rabbit meat on the shelves of Limoges producers’ stores.

The genesis of the farm

Beginning with a small breeding operation, Océane and Julien opted for an old breed with low numbers of local animals. This is the meat rabbit, known as “chèvre” and originating from the Charente region, a viable, farm-raised breed mainly raised for consumption. Established as part of an eco-responsible approach to animal welfare, the farm is entirely open-air, all year round. Every day, individual mobile hutches are moved around the meadows, enabling the animals to live outdoors with little impact on the environment.

Finally, after several months of conversion, last September the farm was awarded the “Agriculture Biologique” label for its adaptation to strict specifications, and in particular to feed produced entirely on the farm’s fourteen hectares of land. Today, half of the land is leased to the Conservatoire des Espaces Naturels (CEN) de Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Here, everything is produced directly, from birth to slaughter and processing. Since its creation, the products available include whole rabbits, cut rabbits, vacuum-packed rabbits, terrines, rillettes and ready-made meals. Julien is also co-president of the Association des Eleveurs de Lapins Bio de France (AELBF), of which some forty members are members, and is one of only 3 producing processed products.

An ambitious project

By 2024, the couple hope to triple their production to better meet demand, while maintaining their environmental and animal welfare convictions. They are also planning to apply for the “Valeur Parc” label, and to take part in the Salon de l’Agriculture in the years to come, in order to win one of the prestigious awards bestowed on French artisanal products. What’s more, developing new recipes and products for each range is already on Julien’s mind.

Julien Bousiquier - Cuniculteur à Flavignac

Julien's favorite

Working in the heart of nature, Julien is delighted to share with us his passion for the majestic and remarkable Château de Montbrun, built in the heart of the valleys at Dournazac. Not far from there, the Mont des Lapins, more commonly known as the Grand Puyconnieux, also offers an incomparable vantage point over the forests and pastures typical of our Limousin bocages.