The Ferme du Saichy in La Bresse is one of the last farms in the valley still raising Vosges-breed cows and turning their milk into cheese on site. You can visit it for free, watch the animals in the barn and leave with farmhouse Munster AOP and mountain tommes bought straight from the producer. Address: 14 Route de Lispach, 88250 La Bresse.
A family farm with the Vosges breed
Jean-Michel and Joëlle Curien, brother and sister, took over their parents’ farm in 1994 to keep alive a family heritage where cheese has been made for generations. Their herd of around twenty dairy cows is made up exclusively of the Vosges breed, the hardy black-and-white mountain cattle once close to disappearing and now an emblem of the massif.
The cows graze natural pastures between 600 and 1200 metres of altitude, sometimes far from the farm, deep inside the Ballons des Vosges regional nature park. That mountain grass is what gives the milk, and then the cheese, its real character.
Visiting the farm
The visit is free and open to everyone. It unfolds in a few stages:
- an explanatory film about the Vosges breed and cheesemaking,
- a look at the calves and cows in the barn,
- a cheese tasting to finish.
The cows can be seen from 5 pm in summer and during shop opening hours in winter. It is a great outing for families and a simple way to show children where cheese really comes from.
The farm’s cheeses
Everything is made on site from the herd’s own milk:
- Farmhouse Munster AOP, the flagship of the house,
- Munster with caraway, the traditional spiced version,
- Cœur de Massif, a farm speciality,
- mountain tommes,
- farmhouse raclette cheese.
To understand what sets a true farmhouse Munster apart from the industrial kind, see our guide to farmhouse Munster of the Vosges.
Practical information
- Address: 14 Route de Lispach, 88250 La Bresse
- Phone: +33 3 29 25 42 24
- Getting there: from the centre of La Bresse, head towards Lac de Lispach. The farm is a few minutes away by car.
- Visit: free; cows visible from 5 pm in summer and during shop hours in winter
- Direct sales: at the farm shop, to take away
Shop hours can change with the season, so for precise times or to arrange a group visit, it is safest to call the farm before making the trip.
Combine it with your stay
A stop at Le Saichy fits perfectly into a food-themed day around La Bresse. Carry on with a meal at a farm-inn around La Bresse, and stock up on edible gifts with our pick of Vosges local produce and souvenirs.
To stay close to the farms and the trails, discover our chalets in La Bresse.
See also
- Farmhouse Munster of the Vosges: where to buy the real thing
- Farm-inns around La Bresse
- Vosges local produce and souvenirs
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the Ferme du Saichy in La Bresse?
Yes, and the visit is free. It includes a short film on the Vosges cattle breed and on cheesemaking, a look at the calves and cows in the barn, and a tasting at the end. The cows can be seen from 5 pm in summer and during shop opening hours in winter.
What does the Ferme du Saichy sell?
Dairy products made on site from their own Vosges-breed herd: farmhouse Munster AOP, Munster with caraway, Cœur de Massif, mountain tommes and raclette cheese. Everything is sold directly at the farm shop.
Where is the Ferme du Saichy?
At 14 Route de Lispach, 88250 La Bresse, inside the Ballons des Vosges regional nature park, a few minutes' drive from the centre of La Bresse towards Lac de Lispach.
Is it really a Vosges-breed farm?
Yes. The herd of around twenty dairy cows is made up entirely of the Vosges breed, recognisable by its black coat with a white stripe. The animals graze natural pastures between 600 and 1200 metres of altitude.
Do you need to book to visit?
For an individual visit, simply come during shop opening hours. For a group, it is best to call the farm ahead on +33 3 29 25 42 24 to arrange a time slot.