In Morbihan, Gaëlle and Mathias are building their fantastic flower farm

After months of work, the Fantastic flower farm is taking shape in Grand-Champ. At the end of the cul-de-sac, we discover a magnificently renovated stone building. Around it, a five-hectare meadow, where at the start of spring, the first aromatics are showing their noses, despite the rain…

Further on, the sheep participate in the maintenance of the plot; they welcomed their babies. On the other hand, the craftsmen are finishing the natural pond which is already home to its first inhabitants, “koi carps”. It is here, in this peaceful hamlet, that Gaëlle and Mathias Monribot literally found what they were looking for to set up their project!

Before that, they lived in the Paris region, “until 2017.” In search of a new life, “closer to the nature », they left everything to settle in Brittany with their four children. For several years they ran a grocery store in Vannes, “until the building was declared in danger,” says Gaëlle, who worked in the restaurant business for a long time.

It was an announcement on Leboncoin that was the trigger. The couple literally fell under the spell of this old 16th century farmhouse, in ruins. They then decide to restore it! “Since then, artisans from the region have been working there one after the other. »

Events open to the public

At the start of 2024, the bulk of the work is finished. The Fantastic Floral Farm is already teeming with projects. Because Mathias and Gaëlle do not want to stay alone in this large, “very inspiring” space. They want to make it a place for exchange and sharing of knowledge. For this, they created an association under the 1901 law, La Fantastique.

Several artisans and artists have already joined them: peasant baker, singing teacher, herbalist, potter… Gaëlle calls them “the guides”.

They will organize events, open to the public. “On Friday lunchtime, upon reservation, Alexandra Dupuich already offers a 100% plant-based meal for 15 euros.”

Perfume creator

For her part, with the arrival of good weather, Gaëlle will continue to cultivate her garden to produce flowers. Not to make bouquets, but to create perfumes !

Like cooking, it is another long-standing passion for Gaëlle who has been commercial in this field. “It’s moving to launch myself into this environment that I know well,” explains the woman who seeks to produce natural perfumes, without all these synthetic products that can be found elsewhere…

Drawing on her experience, she also trained in herbalism, at Chloé’s workshops, at Bono. And near a nose, in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. “But we learn about flowers and plants all the time. It’s infinite! »

When she opens her garden to us, she first shows these large mandalas that she created on the ground. The plants are protected by straw. Calendula, nasturtium, wild pansy, blueberries, sweet peas…

I started with edible flowers, because I have demand from restaurateurs and cheese makers but I will only supply them during the season.

She will also shape the field to produce perfume plants, “distill them and extract essential oil. » Around fifty rose bushes have already been planted.

“What unites us around Fantastique is living our passions and believing in them,” insists the artisan perfumer who has just started her still. She will gradually build up her perfume organ to create her associations. She is enthusiastic about “a very broad field of experimentation”, around flowers, cooking, perfume… which she intends to explore with those who share their values ​​and their desire “to co-create to realize our dreams and above all, do not bury them underground. »

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