Contact Information France
ANCG (Association Nationale Cassis Groseille)
1 rue Charles Lacretelle
49070 Beaucouzé, France
Phone: +33 241 375 375
idfel@valdeloire-fel.org
Head of organisation: Guillaume Marie
Key Data France
Growing surface: 1444 ha
Average annual production: 4500 t
Varieties grown in France
Noir de Bourgogne, Blackdown, Royal de Naples, Andega, Andorine
Blackcurrants are grown in the Loire valley, the Rhone valley, Burgundy and around Paris.
Further general information
The name of blackurrant in French is “cassis”.
After the publication of abbot Bailly de Montaran’s book about the “fabulous health benefits of blackcurrants” in the 17th century, almost every family grew blackcurrants in their gardens. Their purpose was mainly a use to cure all sorts of illnesses.
The main region of blackcurrant growing was in the Burgundy region, after the invention of blackcurrant liqueur “crème de cassis”. This liqueur is nowadays still widely used in France and all over the world: together with white wine or sparkling wine (cocktails known as “Kir” and “Kir Royal”). Most of the blackcurrant liqueurs are still mainly produced in Burgundy.
Some blackcurrant farmers in France also grow blackcurrants for the purposes of the perfume industry: extracts of the buds are very much in demand.