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Welcome to the department of Calvados
Calvados is a welcoming, invigorating, romantic and gourmet region making sure that you'll recharge your batteries. The 120 km of coastline with its beautiful resorts and idyllic landscapes, high quality regional products, charming Norman villages, walks in nature, with family or friends, a past rich in heritage and memories. Let yourself be caught up in the specific moments that each season can offer you, the time of a week-end, or a holiday.
What will be your accommodation model in Calvados ?
What are the best experiences and discoveries in Calvados ?
The department of Calvados is one of the 5 departments of the Normandy region, and its name, as best as can be surmised, derives from the fact that the ancient nautical charts in latin referred to this part of the Normandy coastline as "calva dorsa" or "calva dossa", which means "the bare and bumpy coast". The economy is mainly oriented to the food sector, with regional produce renowned far beyond our borders. Remembrance and seaside tourism also represents a large part of local resources, and industries such as the third party and new technologies are present as well.
Calvados boasts of a rich history, abundant culinary heritage and long sandy beaches. All this makes it a major tourist destination, drawing thousands of British and European visitors. People come to visit the D-Day memorial sites, to take advantage of the beaches, but also of the picturesque towns and villages, like Honfleur. On the other hand, Deauville and Cabourg are more chic and welcome customers coming from Paris, who spend a lot of money. The American film festival in Deauville shines a spotlight on the city and its surrounding area. The celebrity of the day draws many people to the festival or for the chance to meet an artist present at the festival.
Culture and heritage discoveries
In Calvados, you will learn a lot about the history of the region. As the third French territory with the most important historical monuments and museums, you can also marvel at the beautiful villas on the coast, the hidden manors of the Pays d'Auge or the fortified farms of the Bessin. More literary and artistic ! Go in the footsteps of great writers or impressionist painters, and enjoy the intense music and colorful shows.
Green spaces and nature discoveries
Find out more about the fauna and flora of Calvados in preserved nature areas, the regional nature park of the Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin, the sites of the coastal Conservatory, the nature reserves or the Sensitive Natural Areas, all places where you can get closer to nature's richness and preservation. If you are looking for beauty and serenity, in the city or in the country, you will always find a natural spot, garden or botanic park to explore.
Sandy beaches to relax on
Fun and excitement, this is the perfect way to enjoy the Calvados seaside, a variety of leisure activities, a short walk along the coastal paths, making up sand castles or simply lazing around, there are many options for enjoying the seashore at its best. When the sea is gone, it's the right time to be a fisherman and collect shrimps, cockles, clams etc. and to have the pleasure of tasting the food you have caught.
Water sports and leisure activities
Canoeing, sailing, sand yachting and other water sports are all available all year round and you can also practice sea or river sports while taking a ride on the water. For those who wish to improve their skills or simply discover the area, courses and training sessions are proposed. In addition, you can opt for walks, nautical hikes, and the discovery of the fishing world, all of which are possible.
Greenways and bicycle circuits
Cycling is another way to explore the Calvados region from other perspectives and to live new and original moments. Hobbyists, passionate people, sportsmen, everyone will find a way to enjoy it. Go safely on one of the 3 greenways, for a bike ride in family or with friends. Travel along the coastline and enjoy the splendid sea view or rediscover the serenity and well-being of the area.
Tasting Norman gastronomy
Cheeses from Normandy, oysters or fresh coquilles saint Jacques, calvados or cider, there is always a place for you to taste the local specialities. Come to meet the local producers, farmers, breeders, cheesemakers, fishermen or restaurateurs, all of whom are eager to share their passion with you and to delight your taste buds with their delicious gourmet products.
Which are the D-Day beaches and places of memory in Normandy ?
The D-Day landing on June 6, 1944, marked the decisive turn of the Second World War. It was in Normandy, on June 6, 1944, that the current world was shaped. Operation Overlord, as it was code-named, was the biggest amphibious and airborne operation of all time. Since then, the region became a tourist destination that is deeply linked to the memory, where people from all over the world and all generations come together to visit and to share in the memory of those who fought for peace. That day, 4 beaches in Calvados, under the code names Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach, Sword Beach and a Channel beach, Utah Beach, were the scene of bloody battles for the liberation of France and of Europe.
The bloody beach of Omaha Beach
Running between the towns of Vierville-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer, if there was ever a place where the D-Day landings almost failed, it was certainly on this beach. The troops of the 1st and 29th Divisions were under heavy cross-fire all morning, at the cost of heavy losses, but around noon they managed to cross the beach to catch the German line from the rear and finally win the battle. The American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, just 10 m away from the beach, is a 20 ha site where an impressive alignment of 9,386 white crosses made of Carrara marble, freezes your gaze (2/3 of the soldiers' bodies had been handed back to their families). 500 meters away, the Overlord Museum gathers a unique collection of more than 10,000 pieces including more than 40 vehicles, tanks and cannons. However, as we know, the war claimed victims on both sides and the German cemetery in the village of La Cambre contains 21,222 graves. Many of those soldiers were still very young, from 18 to 20 years old, and died during the Allied landings and the fighting that followed from June 6 to August 20, 1944. There is a memorial in the village of Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer dedicated to the landing, built on 14.00 m² in memory of all the soldiers that died to liberate Europe from Nazi yoke. You will also find the Maison de la Libération, which is a place of remembrance highlighting the exploits of the resistance, of Cpt Roger Guattary and the French fighters.
The incredible artificial harbor of Gold Beach
This beach stretches between the communes of Asnelles and Ver-sur-Mer. It is best known for the installation of the artificial harbor at Arromanches, which, as early as June 14, 1944, allowed for the intense landing of troops and equipment. A second artificial harbor, planned in Vierville, was destroyed by a heavy storm. At "Port Winston" in Arromanches, a harbour 12 km long was built, which is still partly visible to this day. The 50th British Division was luckier than in Omaha, as of the evening of the 6th, all its objectives were reached, and Bayeux was retaken on the morning of the 7th. Many commemorative sites are located in this area, including the museum of submarine wrecks in Commes, created by J. Lemonchois, a maritime contractor 30 years ago, who was in charge of cleaning up the D-Day beaches. The D-Day Museum in Arromanches-les-Bains, which celebrates the D-Day landings and more particularly the construction of the port and its use. The America and Gold Beach Museum in the village of Vers-sur-Mer, which retraces 2 events of the 20th century, the first transatlantic airmail flight of the Fokker AMERICA since its departure from New York on June 29, 1927 and its forced landing in the night of the 1st of July, and the D-Day landing on June 6, 1944. The Gold Beach museum retraces the British landing on the beaches of Ver-sur-Mer on June 6, 1944, the circular cinema of Arromanches, projects archive images on 9 screens.
From Juno Beach to the Délivrande radar
This coast sector stretches from Bernières-sur-Mer to Courseulles-sur-Mer, where the 3rd Division of the Canadian Forces landed. The Canadians faced an impressive Atlantic Wall and, like the Americans at Omaha, the fighting raged on until they finally broke through the German defences and headed for their objective. After a hard landing and heavy losses in the first hour of the assault, the division successfully liberated the coastal sector and surrounded the radar camp of Dover la Délivrande, one of the five landing zones, where the rapide advance of allies troops was the deepest in the evening of June 6th. The Canadian Museum at Juno Beach provides a contemporary Canadian presentation to better understand the country's contribution and to learn about Canadian culture and its values during their involvement in the Second World War. For these soldiers, it was a matter of ending the Nazi tyranny and for others, the landing in Normandy took on an extra dimension, a homecoming to the land of their ancestors. A permanent exhibition "in their footsteps" and an itinerary between Courseulles and the radar of Douvres la Délivrande, tracing the conquest of the Canadian regiment. An other visit of memory includes a short detour to the Canadian Military Cemetery of Beny-sur-mer where, thanks to the Canadian association, the graves are decorated with flowers.
The dazzling advance of Sword Beach
This sandy beach, located between Ouistreham and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, stretches over 8 km. The British 3rd Infantry Division and the French Kieffer Commando were on duty there. The first attack troops landed on time on June 6, 1944, despite the heavy swell. At the same time, 2 battalions of Sherman DD amphibious tanks were dropped 4 km from the beach. As they were not designed to resist such a distance in a rough sea, some of them arrived at the bottom of the sea, and those who reached the beach managed to open a passage in the dunes and the fortified points were blown up one after the other. The evening before, parachute commandos from the 6th Airborne (museum of Sainte-Mère-L'Église) were dropped inland with gliders and equipment. They were joined by the French commandos the next day. In this area, the Pegasus Memorial, one of the bridges taken over by the paratroopers on June 5th, which links Bénouville to Ranville. The museum of the battery of Merville-Franceville-plage, retraces the very threatening position held by this German army gun battery. Located in Ouistream, the museum of the Great Bunker of the Atlantic Wall, installed in the former German headquarters, an impressive tower, 5,000 T of concrete and steel, overlooking the town from a height of 17 m. Throughout the 6 floors, you will be able to admire all the rooms that have been refurbished to give them back the functions they could have had at the time.
All other places of remembrance in Calvados
Open the door to the memorial places of the Normandy Battle, all along the 80 km of beach, testimonies of this incredible landing in Normandy. Come to explore the natural sites, the museums, the cities and villages, the cemeteries and the monuments, which will make you relive the exploits of the D-Day.
Caen - The Memorial of Remembrance
Just a stone's throw from the landing beaches, the Memorial is a must-see museum in Normandy. It retraces the history of the origins of the Second World War, up to the end of the Cold War, by following the paths and the terrible events of the 20th century. The movie "Europe, our history", projected in 360°, remains an interesting visual and sound experience to discover.
Longues-sur-Mer - The German Battery
A major structure of the Atlantic Wall, the German coastal defense battery includes a fire command post and 4 casemates placed right in the middle of the allied assault sector, on the crest of the cliff that dominates the sea. Each casemate shelters a 150 mm artillery piece and played a very strategic role during the landing of the allied forces on June 6th 1944.
Carentan - Normandy Victory Museum
You are invited to discover the Battle of the Hedges, a moving journey into the depths of history, with realistic sound effects that make the daily life of civilians and soldiers come alive. A special focus is put on the Battle of the hedges, a major event of the Battle in Normandy that took place in the region of Carentan-les-Marais.
Mont-Ormel - The Falaise Pocket Memorial
August 1944, the battle of Normandy is over, the allies crush under a rain of steel 100.000 German soldiers in the Falaise-Chambois pocket. This museographic space describes, in 4 different languages, the extent of the battle and its major stakes. The Memorial, in the center of the battle area, in the Orne, between Argentan and Vimoutier, provides an exceptional view over the Dives valley.
Falaise - The Memorial dedicated to civilians
Beginning on June 6, 1944, the battle saw 2 million soldiers fighting each other for nearly 3 months, while 1 million civilians tried to survive. The territory of Falaise will remain famous for the terrible battles of the Falaise-Chambois Pocket which marked the end of the Normandy Battle and the start of the rout of the German troops and 2nd SS Hitlerjugend.
Saint-Cômes-du-Mont - D-Day Experience
The 101st Airborne paratroopers were the first to arrive in Normandy, and their mission was to take control of the area to ensure the connection between the landing beaches. In total, 2 museums of a great historical importance on a 2.500 m² site, the one gives the American vision, the D-Day Experience, the other one, the Dead Man's Corner Museum, the vision of the German troops.
16 must-see towns and villages in Calvados ?
Bayeux
The mediaeval city was miraculously spared during the bombing and has preserved the authenticity of its historical center. While walking through the cobbled streets, you will be amazed by the beautiful houses of the time, as well as by the private mansions of the 17th and 18th century and the cathedral of Romanesque and Gothic style. The tapestry of Bayeux is an integral part of the town's identity, this fresco of 70 m by 0.50 m, embroidered in the 11th century, relates the conquest of England by Guillaume, the Duke of Normandy.
Falaise
This is the birthplace of Guillaume the Conqueror, perched on the hill, the ducal castle of Falaise, in which he was born in 1027, is the emblem of the city. The drapery and hosiery industries made the past greatness of the city, and today, besides the medieval character, it offers a very interesting built heritage that draws many visitors. There are many mansions, castles and manors from the 17th and 18th centuries, several churches dating from the 11th to the 15th century and very interesting museums.
Beuvron-en-Auge
This is the former fief of the Harcourt family, a village full of charm with its Norman half-timbered houses from the 17th and 18th centuries perfectly restored and the central market hall with its flowery houses and old manor house with its half-timbered walls and carved beams is of great beauty. Situated along the Cider Road, you will have plenty of time on your way to discover the beautiful landscapes of the Auge region and its typical heritage dotted with stud farms, castles and splendid Norman manors.
Honfleur
Honfleur, with its half-timbered houses, its picturesque cobbled streets and its slate roofs, deserves to be called the most beautiful city in Normandy. Very appreciated by the modern and impressionist painters, the architectural heritage of Honfleur bears witness to its rich past as a fishing port. The church of Sainte-Catherine, dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries, is entirely wooden, and is the biggest in France, distinguished by its double hull shape of an inverted boat.
Cabourg
Although it was still a simple little fishing village in the middle of the 19th century, a visionary from Paris designed the plans for the seaside town, shaped like a Greco-Roman style amphitheater. The project was immediately successful, as rich buyers built their own villas, a casino and a spa. To this day, Cabourg has retained its glamorous "belle époque" style. In June, the town organizes the music festival Cabourg mon Amour and the film festival of Cabourg.
Houlgate
A seaside resort of the Côte Fleurie created on the land of Beuzeval castle, Houlgate is located in the Pays d'Auge, midway between Cabourg, to the west, and Villers-sur-Mer, to the east. The town is famous for its beach architecture, typical of the "Belle Époque". You can explore it more fully, by taking a discovery tour that will lead you through the streets of the town to discover its heritage, you will see many friezes, rosettes, color schemes and extravagant roofs.
Caen
The prefecture of Calvados, Caen suffered considerable damage during the Battle of Normandy. Nevertheless, its majestic past of the 11th century has left beautiful treasures still visible today. These include the two beautiful abbeys, the Men's Abbey, founded by Guillaume the Conqueror and the Ladies' Abbey, built by his wife Mathilde, and the Ducal Castle, restored after the war. Other highlights are the private mansion of Escoville, a 16th century renaissance style building, the Saint-Pierre church with many sculptures, the Jardin des plantes, etc.
Lisieux
One of the oldest cities in Normandy, whose history is traced through the different collections in the Museum of Art and History of the city. Nowadays, Lisieux is an important city of pilgrimage, the second one after Lourdes, coming to gather at the relics of Saint Therese of Lisieux, which attract more than 600.000 visitors every year. Among the most visited monuments, you can find, the 20th century Basilica of St. Therese, the Cathedral of St. Peter built between the 12th and 16th century, the Carmel of Lisieux.
Cambremer
This charming country village is located between Lisieux and Caen, on the cider road, nestled in the heart of the Pays-d'Auge, amid orchards and stud farms. The landscape of Cambremer is extremely beautiful, with an interesting local heritage in a peaceful and quiet area. The village is mainly built around the church of Saint Denis and its 12th century Romanesque tower. Don't forget to take a look at the Tithe Barn, the wash houses, the Manoir du Bais, and the Huet Calvados distillery.
Port-en-Bessin-Huppain
The village is located in an authentic setting, nestled between two cliffs. Over the centuries, it has gone from being a military stronghold to an oil and commercial activity before becoming the leading artisanal fishing port in Normandy. Specialized in Saint-Jacques scallops, its life is punctuated by the tides and the movement of trawlers in the port. The atmosphere of the fish auction, even if it has now been computerised, is still a daily show. On the cliff, the Vauban Tower looks like it is going to continue its protective role as a sentinel.
Creully-sur-Seulles
A small medieval city where you can discover the Middle Ages through a castle emblematic of Normandy which has survived several centuries although the freshness is still there ! From the top of its walls, the castle of Creully, dominates the valley of the Seulles and offers one of the most spectacular views of Calvados. In June 1944, the village was at the junction of the Gold Beach and Juno Beach sectors, so the square tower was used as a transmitter and it became the first studio of the BBC in France.
Trouville-sur-Mer
You will be seduced by its picturesque little fishing port, by the charming seaside resort with its Second Empire character and also by its rich architectural heritage. The quayside district offers both an authentic and warm ambiance, to help escape and relax. These quays are the oldest part of the city, and it was around the port that the town gradually developed. Different programs, to help you discover the city, are available at the tourist office.
Deauville
This is another seaside resort on the Côte Fleurie, famous for its American film festival, making it a major cultural center. The city is also known for its huge sandy beach, the five-colored umbrellas, the Promenade des Planches which runs alongside the Pompeian baths in the Art Deco style, inspired by the models of Antiquity, its beautiful villas in the Belle Époque style and even the Trouville-Deauville train station in the Neo-Norman style, all enhanced by many green spaces.
Vire-Normandie
The town of Vire, located in the heart of the Normandy bocage, took the name Vire-Normandie in 2016. The new commune offers a multitude of potential excursions in this hilly and green territory, the ideal spot to relax and recharge your batteries. A former fortified town in the 12th century, it has kept from that time the clock gate, the towers and the dungeon. Nestled in the 18th century Hôtel-Dieu, the Vire-Normandie Museum, since June 2021, gives us the chance to take a look at the town's history and surroundings.
Dives-sur-Mer
Along the English Channel, in the Dives estuary, it was from here that Guillaume left to conquer the British lands in 1066. Its medieval past is still very present in the city center, where you can visit the 15th century covered market, the 17th century Bois-Hibout manor, the 11th century Notre-Dame church and its Romanesque part, and the Guillaume the Conqueror art village dating from the end of the 15th century. The municipality puts at your disposal a marina and a small fishing harbor with a typical artisanal style.
Villers-sur-Mer
A long sandy beach, a cozy town center, just a stone's throw from the swimming, an elegant seaside architecture and an abundance of flowers, these are the words to describe the small seaside resort. On the way to their vacation, the tourists are charmed by the landscapes of the Auge countryside, which merge with the coastline. Fossil seekers are attracted to the cliffs of the Vaches Noires and the marsh with its 3 ha lake along with the bird island attracts ornithology enthusiasts.
The 6 most beautiful touristic roads of Calvados
The road of traditions
Located close to Caen, in Calvados, the route criss-crosses the pre-bocage, passing through Villers-Bocage and Dampierre, reflecting the local traditions over about 65 km. This circuit leads you, among other things, to meet craftsmen and farm producers, who are attached to their traditions and to an authentic know-how. Those professionals will be happy to welcome you, show you round their installations, and explain their manufacturing methods as well as suggest some products to you. On the tourist route you will discover a whole panoply of popular traditions, along an itinerary which crosses a large number of old villages and hamlets, revealing a typically Norman built heritage. Apart from the local know-how and craft traditions, certain sites on the way may require a small detour, such as the Souterroscope of the slate quarries in Caumon l'Éventé, a very instructive visit, and with the little ones, an afternoon at the Jurques Zoo will be much enjoyed.
The road of the Vire gorges
A tourist route of about 30 km, between Bény-Bocage and Pont-Farcy in Calvados, which allows you to discover the Bocage virois and its varied landscapes, granite plateaus, steep valleys or wooded hills, a range of green and changing panoramas. This tour also allows you to meet beautiful churches or to be frightened or to experience strong sensations at the Souleuvre viaduct with a bungee jump or a giant tyrolienne descent. More calmly speaking, go on a little pilgrimage and pray to the Virgin at the Bion cave, in Sainte-Marie-Outre-l'Eau, or discover the panorama from the Devil's cave in Tessy Bocage before attending the Festival of the Vire river banks. The most interesting discovery on this nature trail, on the other bank of the Vire, is the Bee Wall, a beehive hotel restored to the original state in which it was built in 1810. On your way, there is also, in Bures-les-Monts, the medieval castle, the bull bridge, the museum of the breakthrough of the bocage in 1944, the valley of the Souleuvre...
The road of the Suisse Normande
Don't think you'll find here winding roads and mountains, in spite of its 300 m high peaks. Suisse Normande is so called because of its wooded relief, shaped by meandering rivers, deep valleys with steep slopes and the white waters of its gorges which have created landscapes as gorgeous as surprising. This tourist itinerary will leave you with artistic postcard images, dotted with small villages, with the Orne River meandering through the valleys or running along the steep hillsides. During 800 million years, it has sculpted and played with the rocks of the Armorican massif, and so sublime panoramas are waiting for you. The circuit of the route des Crètes will make you pass by the Pain de Sucre, the Rocher des Parcs, the castle of Pontécoulant which is a beautiful heritage of the 16th century, one of the biggest model railroad in Europe and the museum of the impressionist painter Hardy, at Clecy, or the castle of la Motte at Acqueville.
The Norman Cider Route
A tourist itinerary, east of Caen, on a road that criss-crosses the Pays d'Auge, linking villages on small picturesque paths through typically Norman landscapes. With a scenery of cider apple trees and half-timbered houses, you will meet the producers to discover their exploitation and the process of manufacture, fermentation and stilling, in order to obtain a calvados of high quality. In these colorful sceneries of the Auvergne countryside, the driving will go on for 40 km, through plantations and famous stud farms. The cider producers of the Pays d'Auge, benefit from a European AOC and AOP, giving them a guarantee of quality. The cider factories and distilleries, are indicated, all along the way, with a sign saying "Cru de Cambremer". A visit to the medieval castle of Crèvecœur-en-Auge, which hosts the annual Crèvecœur medieval festival, is a must.
The Mills Road
Walk through the old villages on the Mills Road, a 35 km route between the valleys of the Seulles, the Mue and the Thue, 3 rivers that have fed numerous mills. A tour that crosses the countryside and shows you the architectural richness of the Bessin region, farms, manors, Caen or Creully stone houses, churches and abbeys. Let yourself be guided by the signs of the Mill Road, to discover the old water mills, flour mills and disused cloth mills. Sometimes you will have to leave the signposted route to visit the pepper mine of Thaon, for example. A land of grass and milk, the Bessin is dotted with fortified farms which have made the notoriety of its local products such as Isigny butter and cream. On the way, you will admire, no doubt, the picturesque villages, nestled in the hollows such as Amblie or Reviers, the Renaissance castle in Fontaine-Henry, the old priory in Saint-Gabriel, or the Romanesque churches in Thaon or in Rucqueville.
The granite road
In the south of the Saint-Sever forest, the landscapes still bear witness to the work of the "picauts", the granite cutters. This heritage reminds us that the subsoil of the Norman Bocage is an extension of the Armorican massif. On the initiative of the committee uniting the valley of Sée and that of the Virois bocage, the granite path was created, a 50 km circuit, marked out by the pierced stone, which stakes out the roads and indicates the curiosities to be seized, in total, 129 sites have been put forward. Over the centuries, granite has deeply marked the landscape of its 2 neighboring regions, its use was widely spread, nowadays, it is mainly produced as paving stones for pedestrian areas, monuments or funeral steles and also in the circuit of high technology because of the high content in mica. The association Le Vir'King Raid organizes a multisport nature raid on the theme "Défi de la Pierre Percée". Saint-Michel-de-Montjoie is the last center of extraction of a still active granite, and you can discover this history by visiting its museum.
The essentials of Norman gastronomy in Calvados
Do you want to be tempted by the Norman gastronomy of Calvados? Here are a couple of essential products to taste on your stay: Coquilles Saint-Jacques, oysters and Norman cheeses from Calvados, farmhouse ciders, pommeau, a Norman aperitif, Calvados for a small "Norman hole", that is a gastronomic tradition, you will always find a place where you can taste it.
The Saint-Jacques scallops
Indeed, it is a Norman product, 5,000 T of scallops are harvested by fishermen in 7 ports in Calvados. During fishing season, the harbors celebrate the scallop, with many events, between mid-October and end of December. The auction comes to life, this is the time to meet the fishermen, taste new recipes and purchase the Saint-Jacques scallops in the market, which will be on your plate within 24 hrs of fishing. The Normandy scallop Pecten maximus is the only one to have a red label, it is found especially in the English Channel and Calvados waters.
Isigny's dairy products
The cooperative has played an important role in making Norman cows famous, renowned for the high quality of their milk, rich in proteins, which contributes to the flavor of Norman cream and cheeses. Isigny butter and cream have a PDO label, ensuring the quality and taste in your cooking. The Isigny dairy cooperative is on the signposted Calvados PDO cheese route. You can purchase the products directly from the dairy cooperative, in markets or stores in the region, but also through national and international distribution networks.
The 3 must-have cheeses of Calvados
Three soft cheeses, very well known in France and in the world, have been awarded an AOC and a European PDO for their quality of milk. The Camembert is certainly the best known cheese, produced by many farms in Normandy. You can visit the Graindorge cheese factory and watch how Pont-l'évêque and Livarot are made through a corridor of glass galleries. Go along the cheese route to discover the secrets of Normandy cheese processing, the production site and the farms in the region, an itinerary that is sure to delight cheese lovers by offering tastings.
The artisanal andouille of Vire
Manufactured in an artisanal way, the andouille de Vire is a sausage, made of pork chowders (stomach, small and large intestine) which, once embossed, is smoked over a beech wood for several weeks. The traditional production of the andouille de Vire has barely evolved since the 18th century. It is made up of the whole pork belly, with no added fat. This sausage is particularly distinguished by its thin characteristic which reveals the woody aromas, and can be tasted as you wish, hot or cold, very low fat, and very pleasant in the mouth.
The apple trees products of Calvados
The department of Calvados is full of bocage and apple trees, the Pays d'Auge is even more specialised and has an excellent name for its PDO and AOC cider production. On a well-marked itinerary, get to know the manufacturing secrets of cider and calvados, by visiting the producers, the distilleries and tasting the local wines, in moderation of course! The cider route, about 40 km long, passes through the villages of Cambremer, Beuvron-en-Auge, Bonnebosq. An other specialty of this land, the "pommeau de Normandie", is an aperitif drink, composed of apple must and calvados.
