Route de la mirabelle

The Cherry Plum Area is 13 villages in Doubs and Haute Saône : Abbenans, Marvelise, Gemonval, Bournois, Fallon, Grammont, Courchaton, Melecey, Georfans, Vellechevreux et Courbenans, Crevans et la Chapelle-les-Granges, Secenans, et Saulnot. In the 19th century, because of the phylloxera, cherry plum trees replaced vineyards on the hillside of the Villeresexel area. The cherry plum tree culture grew until 1960 / 1970, but in the 80's, the cherry plum almost disappeared. The tree were saved thanks a collective action. Since 1993, the Union of Cherry Plum Producters of the Hillside of the Villersexel area works for the replant of the cherry plum tree, in order to stimulate the production. This action also contribute to the protection of a small bird: the Torcol Fourmilier. This bird makes an ecological exploitation of the orchards. Indeed, it eats parasites insects of the cherry plum tree, that prevents the use of chemicals. Don't forget the Cherry Plum market ! It takes place every year in august, in one the villages of the "Mirabelle area".