In France and abroad, before returning to his roots to train as a baker and buy his own land.
After higher education and a number of professional experiences in France and abroad, I returned to my first contact with the business world: baking, and to my earliest childhood memories: farming. I’m a baker and as a farmer I produce all the wheat I need to make the bread I sell. From one of my uncles, a craftsman mason, I learned to respect the tools we use and the nobility of manual labour. It’s for this reason, for example, that I use organic farming methods on my land: the soil is my first working tool, and mistreating it is out of the question!
Meeting the Astrié brothers
It was in this context that I discovered the Astrié mills. Before setting up as a farmer, I had the opportunity to meet Pierre and André Astrié. I found them to be endearing people who were not stingy with all their knowledge, provided you were a little savvy and respectful of your elders… !
Their last mill, my first mill!
With the last mill they made and their invaluable advice, not forgetting André’s permission, I started to make my first mill. The aim: to do as well as they did, without pretending to improve on their invention. And working with wood, metal and stone, what could be more complete and attractive? the ASTREÏA company was born to continue enabling farmers to be self-sufficient. This was indeed the initial intuition of Pierre and André Astrié.
A family business
To help Astreïa grow, I went into partnership with my father and trained Yannis, who joined us as an employee. I want us to be a small, family-run business on a human scale. I’d like to develop a range of mills that can meet the needs of different people who want to make the most of quality cereals and rediscover the notion of terroir in flour. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved since I’m no longer the only one making mills, and it’s a joy to share this love of concrete things and wheat with our customers.
Cultivating humility
Through this activity I’m constantly meeting people who want to change things, but humbly, at their own level, where they are. Doing the best they can, modestly. This edifies me and supports me when it’s sometimes complicated to undertake and develop.
Outside work I’m fully involved with my wife and our daughters; I attach a lot of importance to our family life. Being a father is a joy and quite an adventure. It’s my first responsibility. My work is part of being a father, but the time I spend with my family takes precedence over everything else. Even if it means sleeping a little less sometimes… And to think about myself, I do odd jobs or go for a run. I’m a fan and former rugby player, and even though I haven’t completely given up on the idea of playing again, my current schedule doesn’t allow me to think about it seriously…
