Nature Experience

An open-air museum

A farm, a meadow, woods, grass… lots of plants—and much more than just grass. Our botanist’s commentary reveals the secrets of this unique place. Spring is when life returns ♪—and that’s an understatement…

How does a patch of grass become an open book?

François shares his daily routines, his expertise, and his love for his work as a farmer with passion and great teaching skill. He lives among his herds; here, there is a sense of serenity—happiness in the meadow! The animals are treated with affection and enjoyexcellent living conditions. All of this brings back memories of my childhood on the farm!

Solamoure ?

A snake in the pond! A young grass snake is taking a bath—wow! This historic building, the highlight of our tour thanks to its biodiversity, didn’t take long to reveal itself!
All around us, 21 hectares of life. A paradise for flora and fauna. An environment rich in beauty and biodiversity: 215 plant species, 201 animal species, 12 of which are protected at the national level
Julien Louis Bisognin Sauveterre, the property owner, has been committed to protecting this site for more than 10 years in partnership with the Conservatory of Natural Areas.

The Solamoure Farm in Coueille has been certified by the Fondation du Patrimoine

It is also designated as a Sensitive Natural Area. The owners have established environmental protections tied to their property through environmental easements with a term of 99 years. Since 2012, the Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels d’Occitanie has been conducting naturalist surveys and implementing agroecological management practices. This has led to the identification of 260 plant species and 611 animal species, including 5 key species for the Zone of Ecological, Faunistic, and Floristic Interest (ZNIEFF), as well as rhopalocera (day butterflies), including the succis checkerboard andthe wild thyme blue; amphibians, including the marbled newt, the palmate newt, the spotted tree frog, and the southern tree frog; reptiles, including the grass snake and the western green lizard ; 13 chiroptera (bats), including the lesser and greater horseshoe bats; and birds, including the yellowhammer, the zizi bunting, the red-backed shrike, and the European bee-eater.”

A gem of biodiversity

Eager to get started, we head out onto the meadows, ready to make THE discovery of the day: findingthe Gascony orchid. This plant, endemic to the hillsides of Gascony, is rare and protected. Treading softly, we scan the ground and are amazed to discover different species of orchids—MAGNIFICENT! The fields are colorful ?, insects are gathering nectar, and birds are singing. Thanks to Mr. Bisognin and Marc, we discover a veritable museum of biodiversity. It feels like we’re in another world; the word “nature” takes on its full meaning.

Practical info

Visits are only available during Nature Week and European Heritage Days
Contact: Occitanie Nature Conservancy – Phone: 05.81.60.81.90 https://www.cen-occitanie.org