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Grape picking in France
still captures the imagination of many persons all
over the world. And it does so with good reason:
the wine producing areas are among the most beautiful
and romantic of France, the food and drink is Burgundian
and from all corners of the world pickers come to
work here and to enjoy the pleasant atmosphere.
This grape, picking programme is made for everyone
who thinks of grape picking in France. A.C. brings
farmers and pickers into contact with each other.
We also give all possible information, based on
our experience as grape pickers for years and years.
We take care of a good place of work and all appointments
as regards start of the harvest, the total duration
of the working period and extensive information
about the work and journey.
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All our places of work are
in the Beaujolais and Maconais regions. These
are situated just north of Lyon. The countryside
is rolling and gradually becomes a higher
mountain ridge. Scattered throughout the region
lie small, picturesque villages. The vineyards
are usually situated on the slopes, so from
there you often get panoramic views of the
surroundings. In September the weather is
fine for the most part, but it may break all
of a sudden.
During the 'vendanges' (grape
harvest) it is busy in the small villages.
After work and diner many 'vendangeurs'
(grape pickers) go to small pubs or the wine
cellars of the farmers. The farmers make their
own wine or deliver their grapes to a co-operative
nearby. Some farmers work by order of one
of the bigger 'chateaux' (or have
one themselves). |
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The grapes are harvested
in the month of September. But this depends on the
weather circumstances. Just like a lot of agricultural
work grape picking is hard work, too. The position
in which you have to work is tiring, the more so
towards the end of your working day. Depending on
the composition and size of your farmer's
team it may at times be possible to do the 'carrying'.
This puts less strain on your back, but for the
rest it's just as tiring (a full backbasket
weighs about 50 kilograms).
Furthermore you have to take into account that it
may be fairly warm in the afternoons in September
(up to 30 degrees C), but chilly in the early morning
(freezing point). A farmer's grape harvest
takes between 7 and 18 days at the most.
We inform you in advance how many days your harvest
will take (approximately). Work continues during
the weekends. You are supposed to work a farmer's
full harvest period. It is not necessary to speak
French well in order to understand what you have
to do. Besides, there will always be a colleague
who speaks French, or a Frenchman who speaks Englisch.
When it rains there is usually no work to do, since
the rain affects the sugar contents of the grapes
negatively. However, if it keeps raining many days
on end, then you'll have to go into the fields
as the bunches might start rotting. |
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On most of the farms at which
we can deploy our participants, the winegrowers
will offer you a bed and all meals every day.
Some farmers offer the opportunity to pitch
your tent, in that case again all meals are
included. The day before the harvest begins
you'll be welcome.
The farmers' accommodation varies greatly:
from a chateau's annexes to an attic
in a farm shed. As long as you don't
expect a hotel with privacy, you'll
find things will be all right.
Often there are separate dormitories for boys
and girls. All our selected farmers have been
found to offer adequate facilities: a clean
bed, shower and toilet. Food consists of:
breakfast, many farmers serve a 'casse
croute'-which is a kind of second breakfast-
in the field, and two hot meals a day.
The two hot meals are elaborate and typically
French (with wine, of course). This may seem
a bit much, but you'll definitely need
it! |
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