Located in De Glind, Très Jolie is an ecological small fruit farm that operates as an “experience garden,” emphasizing tranquility, connection with nature, and biological cultivation. Established in 2002, the farm features a unique five-sided layout with different berry varieties arranged in blocks, a central flower circle, and a windbreak containing various wild fruits and nuts.
During the harvest season, typically from late June to mid-September, visitors can come for self-picking on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Produce available for self-picking includes:
- Blackcurrants and gooseberries: primarily in the first 2-3 weeks of the picking season.
- Redcurrants: available throughout the summer.
- Blueberries and raspberries: from mid-July onwards.
- Blackberries: starting in late July.
- Autumn raspberries: continue until the first frost.
- Apples: also available for picking around the time of the first frost.
- On a smaller scale, there may also be white currants, Josta berries, tayberries (a blackberry-raspberry cross), Japanese wineberries, rosehips, elderberries, sloe, rowanberries, plums, and hazelnuts.
Beyond self-picking, Très Jolie processes its fruit into a variety of organic products such as fruit spreads, dessert sauces, syrups, and vinegars, which are sold on-site and in various nature stores and markets. The farm also hosts a tea garden, a sensory experience path, community workdays, meditative gatherings, and seasonal festivals like a Berry Festival and Harvest Festival. Workshops on nature-related themes are also offered. The farm welcomes volunteers year-round and offers opportunities for paid fruit picking to young people during the season.
What visitors say
This self-picking farm is widely praised as a fantastic destination, offering visitors a delightful escape into nature. Guests consistently highlight the opportunity to pick an abundant variety of delicious, often organic, fruits such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and gooseberries, with many appreciating the quality and freshness of the produce.
Beyond fruit picking, the farm provides a wonderful array of activities and amenities. Many rave about the chance to craft and bake their own pizzas in a wood-fired oven, with one visitor calling it the “best outing in the region.” Guests can also enjoy homemade ‘baxels’ and other treats featuring garden-fresh ingredients. A charming outdoor cafe serves delicious coffee, tea, homemade cakes, jams, and juices, including sugar-free options, allowing for a restful break. The tranquil setting is often described as a beautiful, wild, and unexpectedly large garden, perfect for leisurely strolls or finding quiet spots for reflection.
The overall experience is further enhanced by the remarkably friendly, kind, and hospitable staff and volunteers, who are noted for their customer focus and passion for the natural products. It’s considered an excellent outing for families, with mentions of children enjoying a “berry festival,” discovery paths, painting, felt-making, cake decorating, and a small playground, fostering a “back to basic” enjoyment. While the experience is overwhelmingly positive, one visitor reported a less satisfactory visit, noting restrictions on which rows of blueberries could be picked, with prime quality fruit apparently reserved for commercial sale, leading to disappointment over the selection available for self-picking. Nonetheless, the overwhelming sentiment is one of enjoyment, excellent value, and a strong recommendation for a unique and engaging day out, with some visitors even humorously wishing to keep this gem a secret.