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Label Rouge — PGI — Aquitaine
The first farm poultry to earn the Label Rouge in France, in 1965 — reared in total freedom in Europe's largest forest, fed on Landes maize, with juicy, creamy meat of incomparable richness.
Free-range poultry from Aquitaine, PGI (IGP) since 1996.
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The Landes de Gascogne forms the largest man-made forest in Western Europe, born of the great afforestation policy of the marshy moorlands in the 19th century. It was in this singular forest environment that a poultry-farming practice without equal in France emerged: birds reared in total freedom beneath the pines, housed in cabines marensines — small, movable wooden structures designed and built by the farmers themselves to shelter the animals, their feed and water, whilst allowing them to forage freely by day. This practical innovation, born of local farming ingenuity in the Landes and formalised in an initial set of specifications as early as 1960 by the syndicat de défense established in 1959, became the cornerstone of the system that would lead to France's very first Label Rouge.
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In 1965, Landes farmers, united in a syndicat de défense since 1959, secured the very first Label Rouge ever awarded in France, for the poulet jaune des Landes — a historic recognition that placed this terroir at the heart of the quality revolution in French poultry farming. This label consecrated ancestral practices: total freedom for the birds in the forest, a diet based on Landes maize, and rearing periods far longer than industrial standards. Thirty-one years later, in 1996, PGI status came to complement this protection by anchoring production geographically across the entire département of Landes and the neighbouring cantons of Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne.
The cabines marensines have become the symbol of Volaille des Landes. These small wooden huts, often assembled by the farmer, shelter the birds, their feed and water; their pop-holes remain open during the day to allow the poultry to enjoy unlimited space. They are moved after each use — returning to the same range roughly a year later —, which allows the soil to regenerate naturally.
Appearance
Well-conformed carcass, thin cream to lightly golden skin, even and abundant covering of fat, pinkish-white flesh with a visible grain
Aroma
Powerful farm-poultry aromas, notes of maize and pine undergrowth, with a distinct character immediately discernible upon opening the packaging
Flavour
Complex and generous flavour, aromatic richness derived from free-range forest rearing, cereal notes of Landes maize, very long finish on the palate
Texture
Creamy and juicy flesh, slightly firm, never cottony, holding up excellently across all cooking methods
Volailles des Landes includes chicken (main production, all year round), guinea fowl (characteristic gamey notes), capon and poularde (seasonal festive production), and turkey (especially autumn–winter). All share the same forest free-range rearing conditions, but rearing durations vary by species: a minimum of 81 days for chicken, 120 days for poularde, and up to 150 days for capon and turkey.
Mobile cabines marensines are installed in maritime pine undergrowth, sheltered from rain yet open to the forest runs.
The chickens spend at least 81 days in the forest, a duration well above industrial standards (35–40 days).
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Volaille des Landes is traditionally prepared roasted in goose fat, accompanied by cèpes de Bordeaux or pommes sarladaises. A fricassee with cream and wild mushrooms enhances its aromatic richness. As a guinea fowl stew in an Armagnac jus, it reveals an incomparable depth of flavour. Côtes de Gascogne wines or a red Buzet accompany roast chicken, whilst a powerful Madiran is reserved for festive capon.
Since: 1965
Area covered: Landes et zones limitrophes
Key requirements: 1st Label Rouge in France; total freedom; maize ≥ 50% (chicken); cabines marensines
Since: 1996
Area covered: Landes (40) + neighbouring cantons of Gironde/Lot-et-Garonne
Key requirements: Complete freedom in the forest; mobile cabines marensines; non-GMO maize ≥ 50% (chicken)/30% (guinea fowl)/20% (turkey); 81 days minimum (chicken); no fencing
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