"We amaze both the pupils and the taste buds, that's the magic formula of the Folies fermières!" Enthuses David Caumette, 39, contemplating the hundred spectators seated at his home, in the first "cabaret à the farm" of France.

The success of the "magic formula" was however far from obvious in 2007. Death in the soul, his parents were preparing to sell the animals raised on these lands where the family has been established for more than half a year. century.

Their son David then left his position as operations manager of an agricultural high school to "save the farm".

Visitors attend the show presented at the Folies fermières, the first "cabaret on the farm" in France, on June 2, 2022 in Garrigues, in the Tarn Lionel BONAVENTURE AFP

This hyperactive developed a multitude of projects there: polyculture, shop of local products, farm-inn, before arriving in 2013 at his "ABC" model: "A for Agriculture, B for Producers' Shop and C for Cabaret".

short circuit

The physically imposing farmer, passionate about rugby, gradually takes on the role of impresario for the magicians, dancers and singers who come to animate the performance hall built on his land.

David Caumette introduces visitors to his farm on June 2, 2022 in Garrigues, in the Tarn, aboard his "tracto-train" Lionel BONAVENTURE AFP

The sense of celebration therefore, but also that of identity: before the entry of the artists several afternoons a week, David embarks a hundred visitors on board his "tractotrain" to make them discover his farm.

In a cheeky tone, he tells the story of his family, describes his daily life as a breeder of cattle, poultry, pigs and sheep, lists the breeds of his cows, and embellishes the whole thing with schoolboy jokes that hit home. an audience largely made up of retirees.

At lunchtime, the emphasis is on the short circuit.

“We make meals with 80% of the products served that come from less than 50 km,” he says.

"It's a show on the plate: local products served by the producers in person. It's as if, at the National Library, Proust came to sign his book for you", he slips.

David Caumette (D) presents his farm to visitors, June 2, 2022 in Garrigues, in the Tarn Lionel BONAVENTURE AFP

Then comes the show, whose numbers change every year and make the particularity of the place, on the edge of Garrigues, a small village of 270 inhabitants about thirty kilometers from Toulouse.

“We really defend a concept, an idea, and we are all in agreement with that”, assures Anaïs Comes, one of the two dancers, who followed a classic course before joining the Folies fermières team in November 2021. .

From the French-cancan to the French variety through magic numbers, the public finds the essential elements of the genre and rushes to attend.

"It's very well thought out, there is no downtime during the day and I appreciated that he presented his tractors and animals to us before a very good meal", rejoices Annie Respaud, 69, coming from Ariège.

Dancers on stage at the Folies fermières, the first "cabaret on the farm" in France, on June 2, 2022 in Garrigues, in the Tarn Lionel BONAVENTURE AFP

peasant tears

David, who told his story in "Les Folies Fermières", a book published in 2019 by Éditions du Rocher, is delighted to display "full for the next two months, and already for New Year's Eve".

The concept has even seduced the cinema: a feature film based on the story of the farm-cabaret was released last May and accumulated 137,661 admissions in four weeks.

This comedy, with many similarities to reality, only partially reflects the originality of the adventure undertaken by David and Laetitia, his wife.

Dancers behind the scenes of the Folies fermières, the first "cabaret on the farm" in France, on June 2, 2022 in Garrigues, in the Tarn Lionel BONAVENTURE AFP

The Tarnais was touched by the emotion of farmers who came to see him after the first screenings of the film "Les Folies fermières".

“They tell me that they are crying with joy because I have really understood agriculture. dad."

This entrepreneur, proud to have created 15 jobs in fifteen years, wants to take advantage of his media coverage to also show that more local agriculture and food are possible.

"The closer the producer gets to the consumer, the fewer intermediaries there are, and the more chance we have of saving this sincere, local and authentic agriculture", he asserts.

© 2022 AFP