Les Croqueurs de pommes

Les Croqueurs de pommes is a French association of volunteer fruit enthusiasts dedicated to the conservation of regional fruit varieties at risk of disappearing. Founded in July 1978 in Fontenelle (Territoire de Belfort) by Jean-Louis Choisel with two friends, Jacques Barbier and Frédéric Beley, it began in Franche-Comté and quickly gained media attention. The association is a federation of autonomous local groups, with 67 local associations and over 8,500 members in 2025, operating in France and neighboring countries. Its main activities are pomology (knowledge of fruit varieties) and arboriculture (pruning, grafting, orchard care). It is recognized for the protection of nature at the national level. The association publishes a bulletin and has published works such as 'Chercheur de Pommes et de Poires'. It organizes free training sessions, exhibitions, and maintains conservatory orchards. The headquarters is in Belfort, France.

The association was created in July 1978 in Fontenelle (Territoire de Belfort) by Jean-Louis Choisel, with two friends: Jacques Barbier, a lawyer, and Frédéric Beley, an EDF manager, on an initiative of Jean-Louis Choisel who is at the origin of the pomological revival in France. Started in Franche-Comté, the adventure received media support from the beginning. It corresponds with many learned societies and other associations. Its dynamism and mobility make it more like a movement. In 2010, it brought together 60 regional groups or associations of very diverse sizes around the same goals, all entirely based on volunteering. That same year, it exceeded 7,000 members and then grouped 60 affiliated local associations. However, this number of members does not take into account the thousands of people who passed through for a time - the time to learn one or more techniques to rehabilitate their own orchard, and who also became sources of dissemination of the information provided by the association. In 1999, the association registered with INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) with new objectives: fruit extracts: jellies, jams, compotes - agricultural products; fruits - fruit drinks and fruit juices - education, training, cultural activities, book publishing - organization and conduct of conferences - organization of exhibitions for cultural and educational purposes.

• 2025

  67 local associations and over 8,500 members.

• 2010

  Reached over 7,000 members and 60 affiliated local associations; maintained 20,000 trees in conservatory orchards.

• 1999

  Registered with INPI (National Institute of Industrial Property) with new objectives.

• 1978

  Association founded in July in Fontenelle (Territoire de Belfort) by Jean-Louis Choisel, Jacques Barbier, and Frédéric Beley.

Non-profit association for the preservation of fruit heritage

1. 1Accueil - LES CROQUEURS de pommes®croqueurs-national.fr
2. 2Les Croqueurs de pommes - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org
3. 3Les Croqueurs de pommes - Wikidatawikidata.org