Before the development of transport and the arrival of exotic fruits, the only fresh fruit you would find on tables throughout the year was the Chasselas grape of Thomery!
The town of Thomery boasts a singular and exceptional architectural heritage: vine walls. Listed as historic monuments, the first walls designed for grape growing were built here in the sixteenth century to cultivate Golden Chasselas vines taken from the king’s climbing vine stocks.
This original growing method (climbing vines grown against walls) made it possible to produce very flavoursome grapes.
Initially very popular with Louis XV and his Court, the Thomery Chasselas first appeared on the tables of the European nobility before gradually becoming more widespread.
It experienced great growth with the development of a preservation technique involving harvesting grapes early, making the sale of fresh grapes possible throughout the year.
The vine shoots and grapes were preserved from October to May in small glass bottles containing water and a piece of coal, in grape storage rooms, protected from heat and light.
Cultivation in heated greenhouses made it possible to harvest the precious golden grapes as early as May.
For nearly a century, the Thomery Chasselas was the only fresh fruit available in winter, making it an exceptional luxury product. Each year, more than 1000 tons were shipped throughout France and as far as Russia, by river from the Port d’Effondré and, beginning in 1849, by train, which carried the goods to the Halles de Paris.
Several harsh winters, parasites and mildew wiped out almost 90% of production on the eve of the First World War. The development of transport, and competition in the form of grapes from Moissac and exotic fruits made popular thanks to the Colonial Exhibition of 1930, sounded the death knell of this adventure in viticulture. The last consignment of Chasselas grapes was shipped to Paris in 1970. Later, Thomery attempted to build on this recent legacy with the creation of detoxifying grape-based treatments (known as “ cures uvales ”). Today, this grape is only grown by private individuals.
Listed as a historic monument.
This path winds through the network of walls, all the way to the Port d’Effondrée. It can be accessed from Rue de la République (D301). A car park is located nearby.
Built under the reign of Philip Augustus, for the transport of sandstone from Fontainebleau, this port was later used to ship grapes to Paris.
For further information please call the Moret-sur-Loing Tourist Office
Phone: 33 (0)1 60 70 41 66
Email: tourisme@ccmsl.com
Well exposed and backing on to a wall, the vine can make better use of sunlight, as the stone traps heat and releases it during the night.
Standing 2.15 metres high, the walls are built with 8 to 10-metre spacing, to avoid casting shadows on one another.
This growing method not only allows the grapes to ripen more rapidly, it gives them a more delicate, sweet flavour..
This greenhouse is the last of a set formed by the ” Salomon et Fils ” wine-growing establishment
in Thomery.
They were designed to grow grapes early and enabled
selections and
experiments.
Access via place Greffülhe.
Guided tours on the banks of the Seine, the Port d'Effondré and the Jardin Salomon and the fruit tree are organized by the MSL Tourist Office for individuals and groups.
For further information about the guided tour:
MSL Tourist Office
Phone: +33 (0)1 60 70 41 66,
Email: tourisme@ccmsl.com
Rosa Bonheur studio (museum)
and
Alfred Sisley,
Impressionist painter who depicted Thomery and its landscapes
While it is highly unlikely, as the legend goes, that this house served as a “hideout” for the Bonnot gang, it is certain that this “chalet” was originally a pavilion for the Universal Exhibition from 1889 to Paris reassembled here, on a narrow terrace by the river. It was the property of a great singer, Lucienne Bréval.
All of Moret Seine & Loing Tourist Office team is at your disposal.
