The herbal path: discovering culinary and medicinal plants | Val d’Isère : Alps ski resort and winter sports

Au Jardin De Ma Grand Mere Balade Franck Corentin Valencot 52

Who is Franck?

Franck has lived in Val d’Isère for over 35 years. He loves nature, plants, skiing and the mountains in general. A mountain guide in summer and ski instructor in winter, he also loves to share his knowledge and love of the natural world. Franck created a guided walk called “The herbal path: discovery of culinary and medicinal plants”, in homage to the land and to his grandmother, who cooked and used wild plants when he was very young.

“If the human environment is built on competition, the wild environment is one of cooperation,” Franck begins.

Plants, flowers and shrubs, as many and varied as they are, complement each other in incredible ways. Communicating through their roots, preparing the ground for others plants and using the wind to grow, together achievinga supreme peace and harmony.

Our journey begins just 50m from the village, on small, accessible paths, examining different plant species, and chatting with Franck. Franck is an expert will be delighted to share his passion with you, so please step up, ask questions and be curious!

What’s more, during the walk, he’ll even have a few recipes to share with you, as some precautions to be taken when harvesting.

Sign up for the next walk

Au Jardin De Ma Grand Mere Balade Franck Corentin Valencot 39

Au Jardin De Ma Grand Mere Balade Franck Corentin Valencot 43 1

Au Jardin De Ma Grand Mere Balade Franck Corentin Valencot 10

Au Jardin De Ma Grand Mere Balade Franck Corentin Valencot 21

Some of the plants you'll come across

Celery stalks Mountain salt

Also known as “Ach of the Alps”, celery is an aromatic plant that can grow up to 2 m tall, with a thick, hollow stalk. Its raw leaves can be used as a condiment (for example, on fish en papillote or in broths). Finely chopped and mixed with coarse salt, it’s easy to make homemade celery salt. Finally, as an aperitif, the young stalks can be used as sticks to dip in a fromage blanc and mustard sauce.

Properties: Highly diuretic, rich in various sources of calcium and vitamin C.

Nettle The most pungent of plants

Nettle is the champion of wild edible plants. It can be enjoyed as an aperitif pesto (mix nettle, parmesan, olive oil, garlic, pine nuts), in soup, omelette, crepes or cake, and the list goes on… Mixed with butter, it’s also a delicious accompaniment to a platter of snails.

Franck explains how to pick nettles without being stun, and how to stings thanks to another plant that’s usually found right next to them 🌿

Properties: Nettle contains (among other things) zinc, calcium, magnesium and potassium, is a great source of plant iron and contains vitamins C, K and B.

Dandelion Mountain gold

Often considered a weed, dandelion is in fact a treasure trove of culinary and medicinal benefits. On the health front, it acts as a powerful diuretic, detoxifying the liver and kidneys, while providing vitamins A, C and K, essential for vision, immunity and blood coagulation. In the kitchen, its leaves, flowers and roots are edible: the leaves can be enjoyed in salads, the flowers enhance dishes, and the roots, when roasted, offer an alternative to coffee. This “superfood” deserves a special place in our diet. Reintroducing the dandelion into our daily lives means reconnecting with a natural, sustainable source of well-being.

Cramaillotte recipe: Place 400gr inflorescence in 2L water, add 2-3 apple cores and 2 orange cores, and boil for 15 min. Allow to cool. Remove ingredients and boil again. Pour into jars and cool upside down. For greater consistency, add a sachet of agar agar while cooking.

Lemon thyme The fish's friend

Wild lemon thyme is an aromatic herb with a fresh, tangy fragrance, perfect for enhancing. Numerous dishes, adding a bit of zest fish, poultry and vegetables. It also possesses antiseptic and digestive properties, helping to soothe digestive disorders and strengthen the immune system. A delicious and beneficial herb!

Properties: A powerful antiseptic, lemon thyme is taken as a tea for coughs. As a poultice, it is effective against muscular pain. It is also used in the home as a natural moth repellent.

Franck's notes

Always use common sense and pick in moderation. Don’t pick on roadsides, paths or fields with livestock.

Be cautious and well-informed about the edibility of wild plants. If you have any doubts, refer the matter to a knowledgeable and competent person (there are associations on edible wild plants, training courses, books, etc.).

Never put picked plants in a plastic bag, as they may give off noxious odours. They should be separated, in paper bags, at the end of the walk, to keep the plant fresh.

Rinse the plant with 2-3 glasses of water before eating. If in doubt, boil the plant at 100°C for at least 1 min.

Warning: the author and publisher accept no responsibility for the use of the plants presented. In the event of health problems, it is advisable to consult a doctor, who is the only person qualified to make a diagnosis.