Updated

Volailles du Val de Sèvres — AI-generated illustration AI-generated illustration

PGI — Poitou-Charentes

Volailles du Val de Sèvres

A farm-reared poultry from Deux-Sèvres, with firm, flavourful meat — born of a centuries-old poultry-farming tradition.

Free-range poultry from Poitou-Charentes, PGI (IGP) since 1995.

Discover

At a glance

History & Origins

Volailles du Val de Sèvres — AI-generated illustration AI-generated illustration

Origins and birth of the product

Volailles du Val de Sèvres are rooted in a farmhouse poultry-farming tradition that has existed for centuries on the farms of the Deux-Sèvres department. Long a family endeavour, this production found outlets on the region's poultry markets as early as the 19th century, with trade continuing throughout the 20th century. In 1995, the Protected Geographical Indication officialised this poultry heritage, guaranteeing the origin of the birds and compliance with specific rearing specifications.

Terroir and geographical roots

Volailles du Val de Sèvres — AI-generated illustration AI-generated illustration

The Val de Sèvres bocage

The Val de Sèvres — a bocage region in north-western Deux-Sèvres — offers an ideal terroir: enclosed pastures with meadows and hedgerows, pure water, and a mild, temperate Atlantic climate. These natural conditions allow for extensive outdoor rearing, where the poultry thrive on grassy open-air runs all year round.
Volailles du Val de Sèvres — AI-generated illustration AI-generated illustration

A terroir of agricultural polychromy

The landscape of Deux-Sèvres alternates between marshland, bocage, and cereal crops (maize, wheat, triticale). This agricultural diversity provides a natural diet for the birds, combining grasses, insects, and local grains, giving Volailles du Val de Sèvres their fine-textured meat and characteristic flavour.

Heritage and local culture

The farmers of the Val de Sèvres perpetuate a family-based farm poultry tradition, handed down from generation to generation, far removed from the practices of intensive farming. On the region's markets, Volailles du Val de Sèvres are recognisable by their golden carcass and firm flesh, a mark of quality for regular customers.

Product characteristics

Sensory profile

Appearance

Well-conformed carcass, golden-yellow skin (maize-based diet), visible pinkish-white flesh.

Aroma

Delicate aroma, lightly herbaceous — reminiscent of pasture and grain.

Taste

Rich flavour, far less bland than industrial poultry. Subtle hazelnut notes, lingering delicacy. Firm flesh, never flabby.

Texture

Firm, dry meat (the result of slow growth), regular grain, releases little water during cooking.

Varieties

Farmhouse hen

the most common format, ideal for pot-au-feu, rich sauces

Poularde

meatier, well suited to fine roasting, optional truffles

Farmhouse guinea fowl

(rarely) — redder meat, more flavourful than standard poultry

Farmhouse duck

(rare, alternative) — red meat, delicate fat

How it is made

01

Breeds

slow-growing strains and crossbreeds suited to outdoor rearing

02

Hatchery

hatching of day-old chicks

03

Rearing

outdoors, with access to an enclosed pasture

04

Feed

local grains (maize, barley) and grazed grass

05

Slaughter

in compliance with the PGI specifications, within the territory of Deux-Sèvres

06

Labelling

PGI label affixed to the carcass

Tasting & pairings

Volailles du Val de Sèvres — AI-generated illustration AI-generated illustration
  • Whole roast: Slow-roasted capon or poularde, delicate jus
  • Pot-au-feu: Mature poultry (rich broth), root vegetables
  • Poularde: Sauce suprême with truffles or button mushrooms
  • Braised leg: Light red wine (Bourgueil, Cabernet d'Anjou), heritage vegetables

Pairings: Light Bordeaux (young Pauillac), Burgundy Pinot Noir (Gevrey), red Loire (Cabernet).

Labels & certifications

PGI (IGP)

Since: 1995

Area covered: A large part of the Deux-Sèvres department

Key requirements: Free-range rearing in the PGI area, specific specifications guaranteeing the origin and rearing characteristics.

The people of the terroir

Producer Augé

Élevage Naudin Volailles

Family farm

The holding describes itself as a family-run poultry farm in Deux-Sèvres, managed across two generations. It raises several families of poultry — chickens (red naked-neck and medium non-naked-neck strains), guinea fowl, ducks (Mulard, Muscovy, and Sauvaki cross), laying hens, geese (Toulouse and Blanche du Poitou), and turkeys —, fed on rations made on-site from the farm's own cereals and reared in grassy outdoor runs for a minimum of 120 days.

Sales are conducted at the farm by appointment on Fridays, at markets and fairs, and as ready-to-cook poultry delivered to homes.

Address3 La Béchée, 79400 Augé, France
Phone05 49 05 22 37
Emailcontact@volailles-naudin.fr
Websitevolailles-naudin.fr
VisitsYes — by appointment, direct sales at the farm