Chatting with Eric

We went to visit the farm “ Au Mohair des Alpy ” 33 km from our workshop, where Eric is a breeder of Angora goats. All the images were made for Chatting with Eric during the fleece in February 2024.

I was born in 1972 in Haute-Savoie, where I grew up and lived until 2020. I studied technical engineering to specialize in electronic production. So I worked in various industries where I really enjoyed my job. Living in Haute-Savoie near Lake Geneva, I was able to practice a lot of nature sports: mountain in all its forms (walking, climbing, mountaineering, skiing and ski touring), cycling and mountain biking, trail running... This very enjoyable life allowed me to live a lot in nature and to appreciate wild places, original routes and to share them with my friends and my wife. In 2008 the arrival of our first child with all the joy that this brings.

Over time, I became more and more sensitive to the impact that man has on the environment. In Haute-Savoie, urbanization is very important and I found less and less the region of my childhood, should we continue to live in this environment? is this what I want for my family? does my work make sense? these are the questions I asked myself. So I wanted a change of scenery and after searching I found a farm for sale and this farm raised Angora goats for their mohair wool, after all everything happened quickly: visit, decision and move.

This farm was created by Maurice and Véro, we bought it to continue breeding Angora goats and produce Mohair wool. The name " au mohair des Alpy " comes from the wool of course and the contraction of the Alps and Pyrenees.

Mohair wool is a very soft, warm and light wool . It is associated with luxury wools but can be worn every day, because once you have tasted the comfort of socks, it is difficult to go back. Also because of its resistance, mohair products can be kept for a long time, which for me makes mohair no longer a luxury product but a durable and economical product.

I have a small herd of 25 goats, which I try to expand over the years. I love animals and I try to provide them with the best environment, I approach veterinarians or associations whose aim is to use plants and derivatives to keep the animals healthy.

We shear the goats twice a year, once towards the end of February and the second time at the end of August, then I sort the fleeces according to the fineness of the wool. The wool is brought to a national cooperative in Castres where it is processed. Several steps are necessary to arrive at a finished product: washing, carding, spinning, dyeing and then we can mount the threads on the looms or knitting machines. Depending on the quantity of wool that I bring and its quality, I recover finished products: balls of wool, socks, scarves, blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves...

We have a guest house or gîte reception structure consisting of 5 bedrooms and a large common room. The idea of ​​this reception is to share the tranquility of the place with people passing through the farm. People wishing to stay longer, it is easy to offer them to discover the region, the paths, the walks, the mountain and bike routes... everything that this beautiful region offers. Of course, the visit to the farm can be done at any time. We also offer a location for vans and camper vans.

Go for a walk in the mountains, passing by Lake Moulzoune, do the Taulat ridges, and for the most motivated go to the trout pond, the devils pond and the Saint Barthélémy . Back at the farm put your legs in the river to recover well.

If you want to discover Ariège, don't hesitate to visit or set up your base camp at Eric's Au Mohair des Alpy