William Saunier

‘William Saunier’ is a local fruit accession collected by the Centre régional de ressources génétiques from the orchard we took over at Le Quesnoy, now operated as Verger du Val des Roys.

The only known old tree is still growing in the orchard. According to the history passed down by the former owner, it was planted by his father during the 1960s. This tree is therefore the historic source tree from which the variety was preserved and propagated.

The fruit closely resembles the well-known ‘Williams Bon Chrétien’ pear. Medium to fairly large in size, it has a regular pear shape and skin that turns yellow when ripe. The flesh is fine, melting and exceptionally juicy, with a sweet flavour and the characteristic muscat aroma of Williams-type pears.

The main distinguishing feature of ‘William Saunier’ is its considerably later ripening season. In the original orchard, harvest takes place approximately one month after Williams, generally from the second half of September into the first half of October.

This later season extends the availability of aromatic Williams-type pears. The variety is of particular interest for heritage orchards, collectors of local varieties and growers seeking to diversify their harvest periods.

Without full genetic characterisation, it is not yet possible to determine whether it is a late-ripening sport of Williams, a related seedling or a distinct variety with very similar characteristics. Preserving it through grafting safeguards a rare accession closely connected to the history of the orchard in which it was rediscovered.