Our commitments
know-how
Since 1977, we’ve been committed to preserving Vendée’s historic culinary expertise. Our motivation is the same as when we started : see the delight of young and old when they taste our brioches.
an ancestral product
At Brioches Fonteneau, tradition and authenticity have been combined every day for decades. We’re committed to sourcing quality products and respecting time-honored manufacturing processes to guarantee gourmet products.
Our expertise also means quality, and this commitment is reflected in all the products we offer. Our certifications attest to this. Since 2003, the Vendée brioche has been awarded two prestigious distinctions: the Label Rouge and the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), rare recognitions held by just three producers and nine artisan bakers.
a guarantee of excellence
What is a Label Rouge Vendée brioche?
Label Rouge Vendée brioche is an exceptional brioche, recognized for its superior quality.
Its features:
Pure butter : made from high-quality butter.
Prepared with sourdough : for a soft texture and unique flavour.
Light crumb : light and airy, with a delicate rum fragrance
Additional flavors: sometimes enhanced with notes of vanilla or orange blossom for a subtle touch.
Artisanal production: each brioche is kneaded, hand-braided and then baked on site.
PGI certification:
The PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) attests to the strong link between the brioche of Vendée and its terroir. It guarantees that the brioche is produced according to specific regional know-how, in Vendée and in certain towns in neighboring départements. This label protects the authenticity and quality of Vendée brioche, by maintaining high standards shared by all producers and artisan bakers.
So every brioche you taste embodies the tradition and craftsmanship of the Vendée, rooted in a region with a rich culinary heritage.
local producers
Our commitment extends beyond the pleasure of taste, incorporating responsible practices that support the local economy.
local and responsible supply
Our flour, an essential ingredient in our brioches, is 100% made from wheat cultivated in Western France. This choice supports regional farmers while ensuring optimum traceability. By sourcing directly from local producers, we limit transport distances and, consequently, our carbon footprint.
Finally, thanks to these short circuits, we can guarantee the freshness of our raw materials, while contributing to sustainable agriculture and regional know-how.
This close partnership with regional producers not only enhances the value of local resources, but also supports responsible farming, in tune with today’s environmental challenges.
a guarantee of quality and responsibility
Since 2020, we are proud to hold the CRC® label (Controlled Reasoned Cultivation) which guarantees that our flours comply with stringent specifications. This label is based on four key criteria: local flours from sustainable crops, with no post-harvest treatments, from farming practices that promote biodiversity, and fair remuneration.
As the first brioche producer to adopt this approach, we affirm our commitment to sustainable agriculture that respects the environment, while offering quality products.
for local players
We have 3 production sites, all within a few kilometers of each other in the Vendée region. Acting locally is our motto.
a local event of international stature
For the 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, which starts on November 10, 2024, Brioches Fonteneau is pleased to be an official supplier to this legendary race. This first-ever partnership for Brioches Fonteneau reflects our commitment to supporting local events of international stature, while promoting the values we hold dear : expertise, sharing, solidarity and respect.
This single-handed, non-stop, non-assisted round-the-world sailing race is one of the world’s greatest sporting challenges. Aboard their 60-foot monohulls (approx. 18.28 meters), the skippers – both experienced and emerging talents – will be pushing back their limits as they take on the oceans.
As an official supplier, we are proud to contribute to the success of this emblematic event. This partnership symbolizes our support for initiatives which, like our brioches, are synonymous of passion, commitment and sharing with the world.
an experienced skipper
based in Les Sables d’Olonne
We have chosen to associate ourselves not only with the Vendée Globe, but also with the skipper Manuel Cousin. An experienced and passionate sailor, Manuel is also an ambassador for the “Coup de Pouce” association, which fights against early school drop-out, working to help youngsters succeed in school.
Borned and raised in Normandy, Manuel Cousin moved to Les Sables d’Olonne in 2014 to pursue his dream of ocean racing. Finisher of the last Vendée Globe, he turned to professional racing late in life, driven by his passion for sailing and competition. His inspiring career, contagious enthusiasm and human values touched us deeply. “I’m very proud to have the family business Brioches Fonteneau by my side! My team and I are very grateful for the support we’ve receveid for our project to highlight the Coup de Pouce association. Above all, it’s a human story, and if we can all work together to restore confidence in children who need it, then we’ll have won everything!” (Manuel Cousin)
We’re proud to support a skipper with such a journey and a beautiful mission. “
with associations in Vendée
We are convinced that sport plays an essential role in everyone’s well-being and personal development.That’s why we work actively with local sports associations to encourage sport for all, whatever their age or level.
Thanks to solid partnerships, we provide support by supplying our brioches at competitions, sporting events or training sessions to contribute to moments of conviviality and sharing, or by being sponsors of various events.
We support football, handball, volleyball, hockey and cycling associations.
a key partnership for Brioches Fonteneau
We are partners of the “Mondial Minimes de Montaigu” and more specifically of the feminine challenge.
This international football tournament brings together the best young talent in the U16 category and highlighted future football stars.
to tomorrow
For 47 years, Brioches Fonteneau has been a company resolutely committed to societal, local and environmental issues.
committed to academic success
As part of our partnership with Manuel Cousin for the Vendée Globe, we support the Coup de Pouce association, which works with town halls to offer extra-curricular programmes for children from nursery school to CE1. Help based on play and strenghtening the school family relationship, to develop children’s confidence in their academic abilities, to give meaning and pleasure to the learning process at school and promote the role and place of parents in supporting their child.
Did you know ? It’s the little things we do on a daily basis, like following a recipe, reading street signs or watching a children’s book together, that will have the biggest impact on your child’s success at school, rather than homework help.
More information on www.coupdepouceassociation.fr
PTEA Clara c’est l’histoire de Clara, qui a inspiré une belle aventure humaine que nous sommes fiers de soutenir depuis 5 ans chez Brioches Fonteneau. En 2007, Sandra et Gilles adoptent la jeune Clara. Deux ans plus tard, leur engagement donne naissance à PTEA Clara, signifiant “La maison de Clara”, au Cambodge. L’association, dont le siège social se trouve à Brétignolles en Vendée, se consacre au bien-être des enfants, offrant un refuge à 150 jeunes âgés de 10 mois à 23 ans à travers divers programmes.
- 50 enfants bénéficient d’un accueil à temps plein.
- 10 jeunes enfants sont accueillis en crèche.
- 90 jeunes du village reçoivent un soutien pour leur éducation.
Pour en savoir plus sur Ptea Clara, visitez leur page Facebook et leur site internet : ptea-clara.com
our packaging
For several years, we have been working hard to reduce the environmental impact of our packaging while maintaining the quality and conservation of our products. As a result, we have reworked the size of our packaging and adjusted the number of brioches per package, which has enabled us to considerably reduce the amount of plastic used to preserve our brioches.
of our waste
We have adopted several practices to reduce the impact of our waste:
- For the papers we have an agreement with ‘les papiers de l’espoir’ to participate in educational projects around the world.
- Non-compliant cooked products are recycled as animal feed.
- For our non-compliant raw products, they go into an energy production system via methanisation, which produces biogas.
A collective commitment to biodiversity and the climate
“We are one of 12 corporate sponsors of the Ohé la Terre endowment fund, which supports agricultural projects in favour of biodiversity and the fight against climate change. Active in the Pays de la Loire and northern New Aquitaine regions, Ohé la Terre finances and supports collective initiatives led by farmers.
In 2023, no fewer than 400 projects have been funded under this ambitious programme.
The aim is twofold : encouraging biodiversity on farmland and encourage biodiversity on farmland and promote carbon storage in the soil, thereby helping to reduce greenhouse gases.
Around Montaigu, close to our company, a number of initiatives have been put in place. Among them:
— The introduction of melliferous cover to limit run-off and thus allow better penetration of water into the soil.
— Overseeding cereals and perennial grassland with clover to improve soil fertility.
— The creation of hedgerows around fields, which act as refuges for wildlife and help to preserve the soil.”
