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You know of Auch the Sainte-Marie Cathedral, the monumental staircase, the Museum of the Americas – Auch and the statue of D'Artagnan. Did you know that the historic capital of Gascony also has an emblematic fruit which had its heyday beyond our borders? This is the Auch pear.
The real name of the Auch pear is the "good winter Christian" pear. At the origin of this name, we find Clovis. This pear dates back to antiquity. Greeks and Romans called it "pear of Crustumium".
A very old variety
Already in the XNUMXth century, we mention the presence of the Auch pear, also called "the Bon Chrétien pear of Auch", in the gardens of the archbishopric (current Prefecture of Gers).
She knows a real craze for its golden color, its plump, juicy and almost seedless flesh. In the XNUMXth century, this fruit was offered to distinguished guests and adorned the tables of the courts of Europe to that of imperial Russia!
An illustration of this success? It is also found on the XNUMXth century stained glass St. Mary's Cathedral. It is presented in a good size, framing the coat of arms of Archbishop Dominique de Vic.
Can we still find it?
The Auch pear disappeared in the 30th century. But XNUMX years ago, Mr. Dutrey, passionate about the Gers natural heritage, pulled it out of oblivion. Today, a few horticulturalists keep this rare variety alive.
Mr. Lapèze, a nurseryman in Masseube is one of them. The village of Saint Lary located 12 km north of Auch, has a conservatory orchard planted with about sixty fruit trees from the past.
We find the wonderful fruit surrounded by beef heart apple or plum with a banana flavor ...
