Sometimes beautiful things arrive when you get lost. It’s what happened to me between 2 lockdowns last year. I was traveling around the South Ouest of France, looking for new places and people and arrived in an amazing area where all the villages are called « something » d’Armagnac. Very close to the beautiful village of Labastide (d’Armagnac of course), I found a panel, half hidden by the branches of the trees and bushes: Domaine de l’Hecso. Frisian horses and goats where announced to live there, I wanted to see.
Following the path I first met two curious border collies welcoming me and running around as I approached the farm. There, busy with a little goat, I saw Serge and, a little further, talking soothly with a big black horse, Nathalie.
We immediately found a connection and I decided to come back with other curious travelers fond to know hidden places of France countryside.
Nathalie and Serge created this goat dairy farm in Betbezer D’Armagnac arriving from different regions and different lives.
Their days are very busy but they always take the time to be with you, sharing their passion for the animals and the cheese. And the know-how. As Nathalie always says, it’s a team work that includes their beloved dogs (who are very efficient, I can testify!)
In her tiny “laboratory” Nathalie pours goat milk into molds and sets them to age.
I tasted one to five-day aged cheeses, and I can tell the difference is amazing. But what impressed me most is the incredible relation that Nathalie has with her animals, especially with the horses.
My unexpected visit ended with a shared simple lunch with lot of… cheese and a little bit of wine too!
From there on I had many occasions to visit the Ferme de l’Hecso.
Thank you Nathalie and Serge, it’s always a beautiful experience to come and see you!