Peaches and Nectarines (Pêches)

French Peach and Nectarine Season

Summer: June, July, August to mid September. They're one of the most popular fruits grown in France particularly in the south-east and west of France.

According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, 227,000 tons are expected to be harvested in 2026, up 3% over last year (this includes nectarines and brugnons).

What is the Difference Between a Peach and Nectarine?

Although both stone fruits have juicy yellow or white flesh and taste similar, peaches are slightly bigger than nectarines and have an edible, fuzzy skin. I love how Dumas refers to fuzzy peach skin as "a duvet". Nectarines' smooth, fuzz-less skin holds a slightly more firmer flesh than the softer peaches.

Nectarines are not hybrids, so are not a cross with any other fruit and don't have any relation to plums or apples, only that they're both a stone fruit.

However, in France, a nectarine is also called a 'brugnon'; its only difference being a nectarine is easier to detach the stone from the flesh. Otherwise nectarines and brugnons both have smooth, dark skins.

Sweetest Nectarines: If you see yellowish spots on nectarine skins, it's a good sign that the sugars are concentrated underneath and so extra sweet and juicy.

Peach and Nectarine Facts in France

• Scientifically known as Citrus sinensis (prunus persica), according to the French Ministry of Agriculture, the peach-nectarine is the 7th most popular fruit in France. Popular in China, it's an ancient fruit from Persia.
• According to Alexandre Dumas in his Dictionary of Cuisine, Chinese poets referred to them as a symbol of immortality, while artists represented them in households as a sign of welcome and friendship.
• France ended up being the centre of the fruit's culture in Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. With 30 peach varieties grown for Louis XIV at the King's Vegetable Garden in Versailles, evocative names were given to peaches such as 'Belle de Chevreuse' and 'Téton de Vénus' (oh-là-là!).
• "Péché-Mignon": With the best grown around Montreuil at the time, the King had baskets delivered by the Prince de Condé at the château de Chantilly as his péché-mignon, translated from French as an indulgent sin.

Are Peaches Good for You?

Both peaches and nectarines are high in fibre and an excellent source of vitamin C, with vitamin E and potassium.

Remove its oval stone or pit, as it contains amygdalin which can create cyanide when digested by enzymes in the gut. It's not worrying as in small doses but to be avoided particularly for babies (able to eat peaches as of 6 months) and young children.

What is a Flat Peach?

Known as pêches plates or flat peaches, donut/doughnut peaches have slightly less fuzz and are just as juicy and sweet as regular peaches. They're great for using in recipes and just as good to eat on their own.

Can I Substitute Nectarines for Peaches?

You can interchange both nectarines and peaches in a recipe. The flavour profile is the same, with a slight hint of almond. Just bear in mind that nectarines tend to be slightly smaller when making a recipe.

What Fruit Can Replace Peaches?

As their flavour profile is similar in terms of acidity, sweetness and juiciness, the best replacement for peaches or nectarines are apricots - and vice versa.

French Peaches Recipes

Here are my collection of French peach and nectarine recipes - mainly sweet with a savoury salad at the end.

Many apricot recipes can also be swapped out for peaches - I've added some recipe inspiration below including best flavour combinations to serve with ice cream.

The most famous French peach dessert is the classic Peach Melba recipe, invented by French chef, Auguste Escoffier. It's so elegant yet so easy with poached vanilla peaches, vanilla ice cream and raspberry purée.

Don't have time to poach the peaches? Then don't tell anyone I told you but, exceptionally, you can use tinned. It's not the same but for busy cooks, why not?

Baked peaches with amaretti. These sticky peaches are served either chilled or at room temperature and stuffed with honey, raspberries and ground amaretti cookies or almond flour. Light, low in sugar and packed with flavour.

Make the easiest peach tart recipe! Made with ready-made puff pastry and a simple almond paste with 4 ingredients, this is so quick to put together.

Substitute apricots or strawberries for 2-3 chopped nectarines in this clafoutis with almond flour. Serve chilled or at room temperature for breakfast, dessert or super on picnics.

Using the same recipe for baked apricots, this recipe is even easier without stuffing required. Just remove their pits/stones, dribble in honey, add an optional splash of liqueur and dessert is ready in no time.

Even better, if you have some dried lavender or lemon verbena, add a little for a taste of Provence!

Serve baked peaches with lemon verbena ice cream for a taste of France!
The flavour combination is incredible, as is with pistachio ice cream.

This simple yet unique French beans salad with peach is a wonderful way to jazz up green beans. Add a ripe white peach: the flavour combination is divine with its floral and subtle sweetness - using a yellow peach will be too sweet.