Calvados apples

A Normandy Cider Festival (journee de l’abre et du cidre, literally Day of the Tree and Cider) takes place at the Ecomusée in Saint Cyr-la-Rosiere (61 Orne, Normandie) on 1 November 2024 – see www.ecomuseeduperche.fr

Other Normandy apple/cider/calvados events include:

  • 28 September 2025 Fête du Cidre et de la Pomme at Caudebec-en-Caux (76 Seine-Maritime) – Apple and Cider festival on the banks on the River Seine. see www.normandie-tourisme.fr
  • 19 – 20 October 2024 Fête de la Pomme et du Cidre at Vimoutiers (61 Orne) – Apple Fair with apple tart competition, tastings etc see www.normandie-tourisme.fr
  • 20 October 2024 Fête du Cidre at Beuvron-en-Auge (14 Calvados) – major Cider festival held in one of Normandy’s most picturesque villages see www.normandie-tourisme.fr
  • 27 October 2024 Fête de la Pomme at Conches-en-Ouche (27 Eure) – celebrating all things apple! see www.normandie-tourisme.fr
  • 9 – 10 November 2024 Fête du Cidre à l’ancienne at Le Sap (61 Orne) – traditional Cider festival see www.normandie-tourisme.fr

Calvados

Cider pressing and brewing demonstrations using the local Percheron horses in a priory which has been transformed into an Eco-museum – plus opportunties to taste the cider and entertainment for the children! For more on this Normandy Cider Festival see www.normandie-tourisme.fr

Saint Cyr-la-Rosiere lies to the east of Alençon and Le Mans, west of Chartres in the heart of a National Park – le parc naturel regional du Perche. This is horse breeding country, comprising countryside alternating between forests, hedged farmland, meadows and gentle hills dotted with old manor houses, fortified and typical villages, the park is a popular destination for nature lovers and fans of traditional architecture. It is also a paradise for horse riding enthusiasts with its many studs, riding centres and footpaths.

Normandy Country Club

Stay at the Normandy Country Club hotel near Bellème in a green and peaceful setting just 10km away.

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see more about the Normandy Cider Route and places to stay

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Normandy is haute-cuisine heaven for food lovers and visitors seeking authentic culinary experiences.
Normandy is a region with stunning treasures of heritage, and endless rural escapes provide an incomparable backdrop of elegance and beauty for unforgettable, lingering lunches and romantic candle lit dinners in classy, stand out restaurants and hideaway inns.
Normandy is well known for its superb gastronomy, using its signature apples in many regional dishes.

Apples also feature heavily in the local traditional drinks such as Cider, Calvados (apple-based brandy) and Pommeau (a mixture of two thirds apple juice and one third Calvados).

In 1942, Calvados received the AOC label: Appellation d’Origine Controllé. This is given in France to assure quality for the buyer. Visitors are welcome to taste the celebrated tipple and take a tour of the many Calvados and cider distilleries throughout central Normandy. But these are not the only alcoholic drinks that hail from Normandy.

The history of Bénédictine liquor is a fascinating one, dating back to the Renaissance when a Venetian monk, Dom Bernardo Vincelli, brought together 27 plants and spices from around the world to create an elixir at the Abbey of Fécamp. The drink was produced by monks until the 18th century. During the French Revolution, the secret recipe was almost lost, but was discovered by Alexandre Le Grand in 1863 who decided to re-create the mysterious liqueur. This can be drunk with ice before a meal, or afterwards, as a digestive. Bénédictine is also often used as a base for numerous cocktails. France.fr

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