Charolais beef

True or false?
Legend says that during the Crusades warriors brought beautiful white cows with them to the shores of France - forerunners  of the elegant breed of cattle which now graze in the  Charolais-Brionnais and throughout the world.         

True or false? Are we sure this region is the birthplace of this wonderful breed ?
Over the centuries the farmers of the Charolais-Brionnais were self-sufficient, looking after their own land.  They grew crops using the strong Charolais cattle to help till the land.
The first Charolais cattle to be seen in Paris appeared in the market of Poissy in 1747 after being driven for 17 days. They were greatly admired.

By 1770 , Charolais cattle were grazing in the fields around Nevers at Anzely on the route to the cattle market at Poissy in Paris.
By the 19th century other cattle breeders were developing the Charolais race in the  departments of Cher, Allier and the Bourbonnais region.  At the same period Charolais cattle breeding started to expand over a vast region centred on the Loire, then by 1850 spread into the Auxois and the Vendée regions and finally throughout France.   
By this time Charolais cattle were no longer being used as working cattle but were being used exclusively for meat production.
Over the years the Charolais breed, traditionally reared outside for  ¾ of the year, has triumphed in agricultural shows and has become the best breed for beef production in the world!

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  marché de gré à gré de Saint Christophe en Brionnais
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  marché au cadran de Saint Christophe en Brionnais

Traditional cattle markets which link tradition with today’s modern practices. The cattle market at Saint-Christophe-en-Brionnais takes placed every Wednesday from 7.00 a.m.  

The day begins with the «  marché au cadran » , a cattle auction where the producers bid for the young bulls and cattle ready to be fattened up.  In the afternoon the traditional cattle marketis held for animals destined for meat production.

This weekly market was first recorded in 1488.  Each week it is the gathering place for cattle farmers and merchants from throughout the region. 

For more information : contact Saint Christophe en Brionnais or telephone «  l'Antenne touristique » Tel. 03.85.25.98.05