The Cider Route: Explore Normandy

Cover photo: Treasures of Normandy © Shutterstock / barmalini

In Normandy, there is a discreet, winding route with a delicate fragrance: the Cider Route. This bucolic 40-kilometre trail through the Pays d’Auge follows green valleys, crosses ancient orchards, runs alongside flower-covered half-timbered houses and stops at the gates of hidden or historic estates. It is a journey to be taken slowly, at the pace of the seasons, artisanal practices and fermented flavours.

Cider, apple wine and Norman nectar

Cider, or ‘apple wine’ as it was called in ancient times, is the result of a subtle balance between different varieties of apples. Sweet apples give cider its roundness, while bittersweet apples, rich in tannins, give it structure and balance. Bitter apples often dominate blends due to their power and complexity, while sour apples bring a lively, almost salty freshness. This meticulous blending, a true art of taste, is similar to that of fine wines.

Cambremer: cradle of the Cru, beating heart of the Cider Route

Nestled among the hills of Calvados, the village of Cambremer embodies the vibrant spirit of Normandy. Apple trees in bloom in spring, the scent of wood and cider in autumn, half-timbered houses and Romanesque bell towers, all evoke a timeless charm. Cambremer is also the ideal starting point for the Cider Route.

Domaine Marie-Louise Foucher 

As you leave the village, you’ll find a small house perched on a hillside, home to cider and Calvados producer Marie-Louise Foucher. She welcomes visitors throughout the year to discover a cider with character, crafted in harmony with the seasons, and a Calvados patiently aged in the traditional way.

Domaine Antoine Marois 

A little further on, in a pastoral setting grazed by cows between harvests, the Antoine Marois estate is committed to organic and sustainable farming. Here, apples are harvested by hand, variety by variety, at peak ripeness. Fermentation is natural, and blending is carefully balanced. A visit to the farm offers a first-hand look at this artisanal philosophy, where quality takes precedence over quantity.

Cambremer is also a land rich in meaning: the very name of the department, Calvados, evokes the brandy that originates here. A land shaped by the apple tree, by patience, and by slow transformation.

Calvados: elegant orchards and powerful stills

The Pays d’Auge, between beaches and hedgerowed countryside, embodies the soul of Normandy. Its dense orchards, leafy hedges and sunken lanes lined with pear trees tell a story of flavour and tradition. Here, Calvados, distilled from cider, is crafted with the same care as a fine whisky or a rare cognac.

Domaine Pierre Huet  

Among the iconic producers, Domaine Pierre Huet is not to be missed. More than 25 varieties of apples are cultivated side by side across 30 hectares of orchards. Thanks to the clay-limestone soil typical of the Pays d’Auge, the estate produces the four great Norman appellations: Cidre Pays d’Auge, Pommeau de Normandie, Calvados and Calvados Pays d’Auge. The guided tour leads you from the orchard to the still, from the vanilla-scented cellar to the tasting room, a timeless moment to discover the apple’s journey from fruit to spirit.

The Pays d’Auge: land of orchards and cheese

Beyond cider, the Pays d’Auge is a land of aromas and flavours. It is the birthplace of Normandy’s four great cheeses. Here, the pairing of dry cider with mature Livarot reveals itself as truly exceptional. The Cider Route, which unites some twenty producers under the Cru de Cambremer label, showcases the region’s gastronomic richness. Tastings, farm picnics, guided tours, there are countless ways to explore the sensory world of this terroir.

Eure: The Silence of the Forests, the Wisdom of Traditions

As it enters the Eure department, the Cider Route takes on a more intimate, almost monastic character. Roads wind through the woods, orchards open up between valleys, and rivers wander along forgotten meanders. It is here, in the Norman Vexin, that the Cidrerie du Mont Viné lies nestled.

Mont Viné: taste as language

The tour begins with an immersion among the orchards, before moving on to the production facility: pressing, fermentation, blending. Each step is explained, demonstrated, and experienced. A sensory workshop then invites you to train your nose to recognise the aromas of apples, before creating your own cider by balancing bitterness, acidity, and sweetness.

The final tasting offers a journey through the full range of apple-based drinks: juices, ciders, pommeau, and brandies. The experience can be extended with a cocktail workshop or a gourmet experience showcasing local products. The venue also welcomes children for educational workshops, showing that cider-making heritage can be passed on through play.

The Cider Route is much more than a tourist trail. It is an ode to slow living, to the precision of craft, and to the beauty of the seasons. It embodies a nurturing Normandy, where each producer is at once a farmer, an alchemist, and a guardian of culture. This journey through orchards, cellars, and workshops is a sensory, culinary, and deeply human experience. It’s not just about tasting, but about understanding, feeling, and sharing. For more inspiration from our regions, visit our website and explore our gift shop dedicated to local savoir-faire. You can also benefit from our loyalty programme, designed for lovers of authentic France, and discover new holiday ideas by subscribing to our newsletter.

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