Inauguration of the new Chestnut Workshop

On Friday, September 26, the Atelier de la Châtaigne inaugurated its new premises in Champagnac-la-Rivière, in the presence of numerous personalities, marking the culmination of a project lasting several years supported by the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park.

A workshop at the heart of the local chestnut industry

Founded in 1983, the Chestnut Workshop is a key player in the chestnut industry in Limousin and Périgord. It constitutes the the only versatile tool for transforming the territory, offering both custom work for arborists, bleaching for individuals and a range of quality products. A true economic driver, it contributes to creating added value and promoting locally an emblematic production, closely linked to history and regional gastronomy.

Representative of the territory, the chestnut workshop is also a ambassador of the chestnut and more broadly of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural ParkSince 2021 the company has benefited from the “Regional Natural Park Values” brand, thus joining a network of companies committed to sustainable development that respects their territory.

An inauguration marked by recognition

The ceremony brought together many elected officials and institutional representatives: the sub-prefect of Rochechouart, the president of the Park, local elected officials, the representative of the chamber of trades but also representatives of the chestnut industry, customers, suppliers, artisans and friends of the workshop.

On this occasion, Alexei Delouis, entrepreneur and director of Atelier de la Châtaigne, expressed his deep gratitude to his teams and his family, without whom this project would not have been possible. He also wished to warmly thank the Park's short supply chain project manager, who actively supported him in finding the necessary financing to move into the new premises.

Meeting modernization needs

The new premises in Champagnac-la-Rivière represent a decisive step forward for the industry: they modernize a facility that no longer allowed it to keep pace with its growth. Indeed, the area of ​​chestnut orchards has increased considerably in recent years, both in Limousin and Périgord, while processing facilities remained rare.

Le Territorial Food Project supported by the Park allowed the Chestnut Workshop to apply for funds from the Recovery Plan to finance the acquisition of the new buildings and its equipment, including an optical sorter for chestnuts guaranteeing their perfect quality, which impressed the assembly with its speed.

The modernized site now offers better working conditions for employees and seasonal workers, increased capacity to process chestnut volumes, the possibility of developing new products, extending the processing period, while reducing waste and improving energy efficiency.

A sector strengthened for the future

These advances open the way to enhanced development of the local sector, making it possible to process and consume more chestnuts in the region and in FranceThrough this new tool, a whole traditional production is consolidated and valued, contributing to shaping the landscapes and maintaining the culinary memory of our regions.

In addition to the processing workshop, a store also opened its doors during the week. It allows individuals to source directly from chestnut products — called chestnut — and discover the diversity of locally made preparations. An additional way to bring consumers closer to producers, while promoting this emblematic fruit of the region.