Calvados

It's still a favourite! A cellar in the countryside, nestled in an undergrowth. A stone house, a stream, a small bridge... We linger before passing the wrought iron door. The cachet of the place is as much admired as the number of bottles wisely lined up. An eye on the calvados, rums and whiskies with 500 labels. A stop in front of the 5,500 references of wines, classified by region. The Coleaux family is able to tell you about each bottle. And we let you discover the treasure that lies under your feet!

An essential producer on the Cider Route! It is impossible to pass through Cambremer without visiting one of the most beautiful and ancient cider cellars in Normandy, founded in 1865 by François Huet. The techniques have evolved, the installations too, but the recipe remains the same, rich in know-how and ancestral transmission. If you want to know more about cider and calvados, this is the place to be! Then head for the shop, where precious beverages (AOC-AOP Pays d'Auge cider, AOC Pays d'Auge calvados...) are waiting for you.

We can't talk about the production of this organic cider farm without evoking the history of the Château de Canon. Built in 1745, its farm was designed to allow its inhabitants to live in autarky, as advocated by the "Physiocracy" (an economic and political doctrine that bases economic development on agriculture). Nearly three centuries later, the same philosophy is applied to the cider farm as to the adjoining educational farm. The orchards, planted with ten hectares of tall apple trees and three hectares of pear trees, produce some 50 tonnes of fruit per year. The apple juices and organic drinks are made on the farm and are traditionally prepared with many varieties from the Pays d'Auge : raw organic cider, semi-dry organic cider, sweet organic cider and traditional organic cider - drier and less sparkling than raw organic cider -, organic Halbi (Norman speciality, a blend of apples and pears), perry, organic apple juice, organic AOC calvados, organic cider vinegar... Many of these products have won medals in various competitions.

Christophe and Delphine will be pleased to present their operations, property of the Boissel family since 1792. Located in the heart of the Auge country 1880 kilometres from Deauville and Honfleur, Cidricole manufacturing has been transmitted from father to son since. Production comes from the only processing of apples harvested on the 15 hectares of orchards, the quality of products resident in the assembly of some fifty varieties of apples. No name for this stuffy stuffy cider: for five generations, know-how has been a reputation for excellence. The Alliance of New Technologies and respect for traditions makes this cider an authentic beverage that meets everyone's taste: raw cider (rather bitter, perfect on dishes and especially cheese in raw milk), half-dry cider (fruity slightly sweet for aperitifs and desserts), sweet cider (very sweet and scented very little alcoholic alcoholic ideal for desserts). Particularly attractive, "Arsène" is typical of the house: it is a cider whose crushed apples steeped a week in their juice before pressing. The fermentation takes place, then in small oak was new to bring a vanilla note. Produced in small quantities, it is a function of vintage and is not (unfortunately) produced every year. Calvados AOC Country of Auge, pure juice juice, cider vinegar, cider jam, pommel and perry are all other productions in this area which also houses a cottage that can welcome up to 13 people every year.

In the Serrée family, here is the father, Rémy, and his sons, Ludovic and Axel. It would take a book to write their story. As conscientious and passionate heirs, they share the work to get the best out of their orchards - Cambremer terroir and Pays d'Auge vintage - the best of the best. The case is not new. Because in the tight family, we must not forget the grandfather with eloquent titles: producer, harvester, distiller and itinerant distiller. That's all said and done. All you have to do is push the door of the "Pressoir" and imagine that not so long ago, cider was made in the old-fashioned way, in the press (hence the name of the farmhouse). To say that the family was born in an apple is only a step away. From family consumption, Rémy went into business (in 1999) with a passion and know-how that was carefully balanced. No medals here! Word of mouth is more than enough for reputation. Let's add some authenticity to it. Not the one you read in the books but the one you see in your eyes. The virus is naturally transmitted since Ludovic and Axel have, in turn, taken over in recent years. Very raw, very dry, semi-dry and sweet cider are among a wide range of ciders that you will have to taste before leaving the region. You will be welcomed with open arms for a (free) tasting of cider but also calvados and pommeau (AOC), in the heart of a small house by size but big by talent. A house at man's height and at soul's height...

The Domaine de la Flaguerie is certainly the one where you will be told the most beautiful stories. Stories of apples, of course, because they are cultivated here with love over decades We will talk to you, also, about organic farming: since 1998 - already 20 years! -that is the one that we are putting forward. The visit of Ducy Vergers, created in 1835, is exciting and playful at a time, illustrated with a video-video regularly updated. Will you guess the number of kilos of apples needed to make a liter of cider? Or what material are the cider tanks made of? All of these questions will be answered with the greatest of passions. At the end of the visit, rich of new knowledge and great respect for the profession, we press in the shop for a tasting, first and then shopping. Cider, apple juice, of course, but also calvados aged in oak barrels, pommeau, marmalade, frozen and vinegar and the famous "44" based on calvados, orange liqueur and coffee beans, fragrant of five cloves. It's hard to take everything. You will need to come back or order online!

Stéphane and Lucille Grandval will be delighted to introduce you to this superb Augeron estate, rich in history. Here, know-how has been passed down for three generations. It was Yvon, the grandfather, and his producer friends who created the Syndicat des producteurs du Cru de Cambremer and the Route du Cidre. A detour is therefore essential to discover the site, its timber-framed buildings, some of which (cellar and press) date from the 16th century, and the 20 or so varieties of apples grown: AOC Pays d'Auge cider, AOC pommeau, AOC Pays d'Auge Fine calvados, Hors d'Age...

For almost 30 years, this independent wine merchant has been taking us on a journey to the heart of the vineyards, overlooking... the sea, the lighthouse and the port. Over 300 wines from the best grape varieties of our terroirs in this Ali-Baba (rne) cellar, 90% of them from small growers. Local wines (do you know Coteaux du Giennois?) or grands crus, spirits, ciders, beers from local brewers, rums from overseas and elsewhere, there's something for every palate and every budget. There's nothing flashy about it, but the presentation is neat and tidy, with regular new arrivals.

Are you a whisky connoisseur? This is the address for you! At Julien Lemaître's, no fewer than 600 references of spirits, including 400 whiskies, are on display, with the possibility of tasting in a lounge as cosy as an Irish pub. In addition to the precious nectars from France and Navarre, Scotland, Ireland and Japan, this enthusiast has also succeeded in differentiating himself from classic wine merchants with his tasting formulas, a moment of sharing and discovery. Give him a call beforehand to be sure of a toast!

Take a stroll along the Route du Cidre and discover La Vallée au Tanneur, a hamlet near Auvillars. Vincent Gautier, his partner Astrid and their two boys perpetuate the cider-making tradition on 40 hectares, including 10 of orchards. They welcome you to taste their award-winning organic products: Cambremer PDO Pays d'Auge cider, AOC calvados, calvados liqueurs, farmhouse perry, apple juice and cider vinegar. It's also an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the countryside and the Normandy cows. Don't forget to bring back some souvenirs for your friends!

In the heart of Auge country, 23 minutes from Lisieux and a few kilometres from the nearby Eure department, Benoît Charbonneau installed his family farm in Moyaux years ago. High-stem apple trees, low-stem apple trees, orchards have ten varieties of apples with evocative names - the Bisquet, the Red Fruit, the Bedan, the Saint-Martin… - selected for the development of its ciders: farmer (soft and raw) and AOC Auge country. During a visit, you will tour the owner with, in the programme, a presentation of the manufacture of cider before the stage of tasting and the passage (near) forced to the shop which contains other products of the range (vinegar and candied cider, pommel, calvados, apple juice). If cider is the main activity, the farm has other strings to its arc to keep you. Here you also enjoy animals (hens, donkeys and horses are among the residents) and many rural cottages will allow you to spend an excellent weekend in the countryside.

Along the way, don't miss La Sapinière. A visit to the estate, from the orchards to the cellars, is a fascinating immersion in the heart of a family history lovingly perpetuated for six generations. Regularly awarded laurels at regional competitions, the estate's production includes four nectars: cider, the flagship product, pommeau, calvados and apple juice. There's a cider for every palate, available in four cuvées: demi-sec, brut, "Verger du littoral" and, at the top of the bill, the special "Rivage du Bessin" cuvée, star of La Sapinière.

Getting together with friends over a good beer, yes, but bringing to life the good beer you'd like to drink, that's even better! That's the story of Brasserie Baya. Two friends get together and brew one, then two, then five beers. Blonde, Tripple, IPA, Ambrée and Blanche. To this range was added Luc and "La Ruse", an organic beer. 2 ranges, here, brewed with Proximity, Conviviality, and Quality. Want to find out more? Franck, Thierry and Luc welcome you by appointment to discover the secrets of Baya brewing.

Everyone knows Nicolas - but did you know that the house Nicolas is one of France's first wineries and that Nicolas on Rue Bellivet has over 60 years? For the moment, Alain and Martine, the owners, are remarkably well-preserved… No, in fact, they have only been there since 1995! This is still a pretty career. Alain has an oenological background and mentors the future managers of Nicolas. His advice is simple: Do not hesitate to send you to the competitor if they don't have what you need and do not stick a bottle out of price for a barbecue between friends. Instead, he proposes the rosé of harvesting that he keeps at the expense for last-minute purchases (he has white and champagnes also). Besides, between two bottles, we spotted our Norman wine Les Arpents du Soleil… We feel we're dealing with good people! They offer you a gift box when needed, and if you get a scooter, we love it! We also love customers talking about Nicolas (the day we came, it was an ex-Parisian) as they would talk about an uncle or a good friend. That means everything…

Situated just before Honfleur coming from Deauville, this superb 25-hectare family estate deserves a stopover. You will be welcomed by Agathe Letellier, mistress of the place, Sandrine or Caroline: the visit, the nectars and other cider delights are yours. Cider, calvados, apple juice, cider vinegar, pommeau... the list is long of the house's productions! Originalities: the diversity of capacities, from 37.5 cl to 150 cl, and the transparency of the bottles. We will be happy to give you information and advice. A must!

La Cave des Tontons is a winning double: a lunchtime restaurant and a wine and spirits boutique. You won't find that nameless apple and beet potion ("y'en a!") that a certain Polish lady used to drink for breakfast... but you will be spoilt for choice with a wide selection of wines, rums, whiskies, champagnes, cognacs, armagnacs, calvados, gins and beers from all over the world. And because there's nothing better than getting to know the product, La Cave des Tontons also organises wine tasting sessions.

From harvest to sale, everything happens in the heart of this 17th-century farm. In the refurbished cellars, Philippe Marie and Thomas Pelletier invite you to discover the production and processing of apple cider. Several generations have succeeded one another in developing the family business, which produces a wide range of sweet beverages. The star here is the semi-dry farm cider "Vach'Ment Bon". A house creation with generous aromas that is left to age for two years so that the cider can express all its tannic structure.