Ferme de Grignon

What Ferme de Grignon does

Ferme de Grignon is a polyculture-livestock agricultural exploitation operated by AgroParisTech, France's public higher education and research institution in life and agricultural sciences. Established in 1826 and located on 400 hectares in Thiverval-Grignon within the plain of Versailles, the farm integrates crop cultivation (200 hectares of cash crops and 200 hectares of forage), a 200-head Prim'Holstein dairy herd, and a 600-head Berrichon du Cher and Romane sheep flock. Its on-site dairy processing workshop, operational for over 40 years, transforms fresh milk into yogurts, fresh cheeses, faisselles, butter, fresh creams, cream desserts, and pasteurized milk that are sold under the La Laiterie du Domaine de Grignon brand. The farm also produces seasonal beef boxes from Aberdeen Angus cross cattle, honey from approximately 30 on-site beehives, green lentils packaged through a partnership with L'Huilerie de la Plaine de Versailles, and raw wool.

The operation is notable for its circular-economy infrastructure: a methanization unit processes approximately 30 tonnes per day of livestock and crop waste into biomethane injected into the GRDF gas network (equivalent to ~440 households annually), while the resulting digestate reduces synthetic fertilizer use by about 50%. A recognized genetics program achieves 2.7 lambs per ewe, with surplus breeding stock sold to other farms. The farm carries first-in-France credentials in environmental certification: HVE Level 3 (since 2016, renewed 2022), ISO 14001 (since 2014), and ISO 50001 (since 2019, the first French farm to obtain this energy management certification). Satellite imagery is used for plot-level fertilizer dosing, and the farm participates in the French Ecophyto plan for reduction of plant protection products.

Commercially, Ferme de Grignon operates diversified go-to-market channels: direct-to-consumer sales through the on-site Boutique Gourmande (operated by GIE EEEA, Tuesday-Sunday), local cheese shops and creameries within a 50km radius, the 'Le Lait des 5 fermes d'Île-de-France et d'Eure-et-Loir' collective distributed via the LSDH cooperative, seasonal beef box pre-orders by email, biomethane sales to the GRDF network, and educational farm visits plus 14 themed animations for individuals, families, and groups of 15-50 people (including at-home animation services in departments 28, 78, and 92). Dairy products have won multiple awards at the Concours Général Agricole and the Foire aux Fromages et aux Vins de Coulommiers. The farm is preparing to celebrate 200 years of history in 2026.

Name

Ferme de Grignon

Legal name

Ferme de Grignon - AgroParisTech

Website

https://fermedegrignon.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1826

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ferme de Grignon is an AgroParisTech-operated 400-hectare polyculture-livestock farm in Thiverval-Grignon, France, producing artisanal dairy, beef, honey, lentils, and wool, selling biomethane to the GRDF network, and hosting educational farm visits for consumers and schools across Île-de-France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Dairy and Farm Products

NAICS

Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151), Creamery Butter Manufacturing (311512), Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

Drinkable Yogurt & Kefir Manufacturing (AFAHADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Butter & Ghee Manufacturing (AFAKAKAD), Probiotic/Fermented Functional Cultured Dairy (Added Cultures/Prebiotics) Manufacturing (AFAHADAJ)

Keywords

• Artisanal dairy products
• Agricultural education services
• Sustainable farm production
• Beef meat boxes
• Biomethane energy generation

Headquarters

HQ city

Thiverval-grignon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Dairy Products: On-farm dairy processing producing yogurts, fresh cheeses, faisselles, butter, fresh creams, cream desserts, and pasteurized milk sold through Boutique Gourmande and local cheese shops within 50km radius. Products have won multiple awards at Concours Général Agricole and Foire aux Fromages et aux Vins de Coulommiers.
2. Beef Meat Boxes: Seasonal sale of approximately 6kg beef boxes from Aberdeen Angus cross cattle, sold by pre-order with private sale email notifications. Price: 25€/kg (approximately 150€ per box).
3. Honey, Lentils, Wool: Secondary agricultural products including spring flower honey, summer flower honey, acacia honey when harvest allows; green lentils packaged by L'Huilerie de la Plaine de Versailles; raw wool sold in approximately 10kg bags for garden mulching and insulation.
4. Biomethane Energy Sales: Renewable biomethane produced from methanization unit injected into GRDF network, generating revenue while reducing farm's carbon footprint. Production equivalent to 440 households.
5. Agricultural Consulting & Studies: Environmental study services including greenhouse gas assessments for other farms. Conducted LEADER Saclay project (2020-2021) evaluating emissions for 7 Plateau de Saclay farms with EU funding of 13,128.96€.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ferme de Grignon is an AgroParisTech-operated agricultural farm that produces and sells artisanal dairy products (yogurts, fresh cheeses, butter, creams, pasteurized milk), seasonal beef boxes from Aberdeen Angus cross cattle, honey, green lentils, and raw wool. The farm also operates an on-site Boutique Gourmande for direct sales, offers educational farm visits and themed animations for individuals and groups, and produces renewable biomethane through its methanization unit.

Product overview

Ferme de Grignon operates as a diversified agricultural farm under AgroParisTech, producing a portfolio of farm products centered around dairy (yogurts, fromage blanc, butter, creams, pasteurized milk), beef (seasonal caissettes), honey, green lentils, and raw wool. The farm also operates an on-site Boutique Gourmande for direct sales and offers educational visits and themed animations for individuals, families, and school groups. A biogas unit produces biomethane injected into the GRDF network. The operation is notable for its environmental certifications (ISO 14001, ISO 50001, HVE) and experimental agriculture research role.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• La Laiterie du Domaine de Grignon: On-farm dairy processing workshop producing yogurts, white cheeses, butters, fresh creams, cream desserts, and pasteurized milk since 1980.
• Le Lait des 5 fermes d'Île-de-France et d'Eure-et-Loir

Products and services

• Artisanal Dairy Products Artisanal dairy products manufactured on the farm for over 40 years including yogurts, fromage blanc, faisselles, butter, fresh creams, cream desserts, and pasteurized milk. Award-winning products sold at Boutique Gourmande and local cheese shops within 50km.
• Beef Boxes (Caissettes de Viande Bovine) Approximately 6kg beef boxes featuring crossbred Aberdeen Angus cattle raised on the farm. Meat dry-aged 5-7 days for tenderness, with assortments of grilling, roasting, and stewing cuts. Sold seasonally by pre-order at 25€/kg.
• Farm Honey (Miel de la Ferme) Honey produced from approximately 30 beehives on the farm's parcels. Available varieties include Spring Flower, Summer Flower, and Acacia honey depending on harvest.
• Green Lentils (Lentilles Vertes) Green lentils grown on the farm as part of soil health practices, contributing nitrogen to soil fertility. Packaged in 500g sachets through partnership with L'Huilerie de la Plaine de Versailles.
• Raw Wool (Laine Brute) Raw, unwashed, unbrushed wool from farm sheep sold in approximately 10kg bags at 5€ per bag with volume discounts for 5+ bags. Used for garden mulch, pipe insulation, or soil enrichment.
• Le Lait des 5 fermes d'Île-de-France et d'Eure-et-Loir Collective milk initiative from five farms in Île-de-France and Eure-et-Loir regions, launched September 2016 in partnership with LSDH cooperative. Ensures fair producer remuneration while remaining accessible to consumers.
• Biomethane (Biométhane) Renewable biomethane produced from anaerobic digestion of organic matter (manure, crop residues) injected into the GRDF network. Processes approximately 30 tonnes of organic materials daily, supplying the equivalent of approximately 440 households with green gas.
• Farm Visits and Educational Animations Educational farm visits and animations for individuals, families, and groups (schools, associations, professionals). Includes free self-guided visits, guided tours, and 14 themed animation options such as butter-making workshops, taste tests, biodiversity games, and agricultural education programs.
• Holi'Farm'Days School holiday events featuring immersive activities such as detective investigations, Escape Farm challenges, and creative workshops for families with children.

Quantifiable outcome

• Biomethane production equivalent to 440 households' annual gas consumption
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ferme de BissycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2016Co-founding partner in 'Le Lait des 5 fermes d'Île-de-France et d'Eure-et-Loir' initiative, launched September 2016. Three Yvelines farms (Ferme de Grignon, Ferme de Bissy, Ferme de Viltain) associated to offer local milk with fair producer pricing, with LSDH cooperative handling distribution. Ferme de Bissy ceased dairy activities in 2022.
• Ferme de ViltaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founding partner in 'Le Lait des 5 fermes' initiative alongside Ferme de Grignon and Ferme de Bissy, with collective commitment to limit margins for equitable producer pricing.
• LSDH CooperativecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCooperative handling distribution for 'Le Lait des 5 fermes d'Île-de-France et d'Eure-et-Loir', enabling collective milk marketing from partner farms to consumers.
• L'Huilerie de la Plaine de VersaillesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for conditioning and packaging green lentils in 500g sachets for sale at Boutique Gourmande since 2021. Enables farm to offer processed legume products.
• Local BeekeeperminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local beekeeper for approximately 30 hives installed on farm parcels as part of Grignon Énergie Positive project, promoting biodiversity and pollination. Farm benefits from honey production.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ferme de Viltain: Yvelines-based diversified farm with on-site processing, farm shop, and pedagogical activities; co-founder of 'Le Lait des 5 fermes d'Île-de-France et d'Eure-et-Loir' alongside Ferme de Grignon. Most directly comparable French polyculture-livestock farm with D2C retail and educational offerings.
• Ferme de Gally: Diversified Yvelines farm and farm-shop operator combining market gardening, livestock, retail counter and educational activities. Comparable diversified farm-retail-pedagogy model in the same regional geography.
• Ferme de Bissy: Former co-founding partner of the 'Le Lait des 5 fermes' collective and Yvelines polyculture-livestock farm; ceased dairy activities in 2022 but remains a structurally comparable farm operator in the same regional ecosystem.
• Bergerie Nationale de Rambouillet: French state educational sheep farm (educational_agricultural establishment) offering school programs, on-site retail, and heritage-breed livestock. Highly comparable as a publicly-owned agritourism and production operation in the Île-de-France region.

Broad incumbents

• Stonyfield Farm: US organic yogurt and dairy brand focused on sustainable sourcing and on-farm practices. Comparable as an established organic/sustainability dairy brand with educational and certification-led positioning, operating at substantially larger scale.
• Danone: Global French dairy and plant-based products major with a strong yogurt portfolio (including organic/HVE-aligned lines). Relevant broad incumbent for benchmarking dairy processing scale, retail reach and sustainability programs.
• Yeo Valley: UK-based organic dairy producer with on-farm processing, sustainability positioning (carbon-neutral farms) and broad retail distribution. Comparable for an established sustainability-led dairy brand, though at much greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FermeDeGrignon
• Instagraminstagram.com/fermedegrignon/?hl=fr
• Xx.com/FermeDeGrignon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ferme-de-grignon

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ferme de Grignon