Our Adaptable Adventure - Visiting a duck farm

You must have noticed that The Viking and I are foodies. When we were at Montignac, we were not only there to do some sightseeing, but we also wanted to buy something nice to eat. Like foie gras for example…

There are people who are opposed to foie gras because of the force-feeding. I have to admit that I am against animal cruelty and I don’t approve of the industrial way of force-feeding ducks (or geese for that matter). But things are handled differently on a duck farm in the Dordogne.

In the center of Montignac we had discovered a beautiful small shop that sold all kinds of products related to duck. Prices were very reasonable and the choice was huge. Unfortunately, it was closed. We did have the possibility however of visiting the farm itself and we decided to have a look. So, we drove to Fanlac:

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At the outskirts of this small village is the duck farm called La Ferme du Foie Gras Catinal au Bois Bareirou. There is a small shop, a camping place and the farm itself. We first had a look at the shop, where we were welcomed by a very friendly lady. We tasted some foie gras, which was simply divine and melted in our mouth. The Viking and I were in foodie heaven! We also had the opportunity of tasting some dried duck sausages, one of their newest products. Simply super delicious! There are so many products to choose from; every part of the duck is used. There is the classic foie gras, but also the confit, the mousse, the paté, the magret and so on. We finally bought some foie gras.

Afterwards we visited the farm. Twice a day you can see how the ducks are force-fed. This is done manually by the way. It takes about 16 weeks before a duck reaches adulthood and is ready to be slaughtered. At the farm they also grow the corn which is used to feed the animals. When the weather is fine, most of the ducks are outside, where they have a lot of space. Otherwise they stay in very big stables, together with geese, goats and cows.

This was an interesting experience. What I liked about it was the relaxed attitude that people in the Dordogne have towards foie gras. This kind of food seems to be part of their way of life and even in a pub you can find a good quality of foie gras.

All the food that you can buy in the shop is prepared at the farm itself. You receive a lot of information on how to handle and to prepare the products that you have bought. If you want to know how we prepared the foie gras, you have to be a bit more patient!

Here are the other pictures!

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