The Cider and Calvados Route is one of Normandy's most beautiful tourist routes. Carved through the heart of the Pays d'Auge, it winds for around forty kilometres between orchards, half-timbered manors and listed villages. It is a gourmet, sensory itinerary where every stop reveals an age-old craft. Here is how to design your getaway along this iconic route, dotted with farms open to visitors, pommeau tastings and breathtaking landscapes.
Where does the Cider Route start?
The official loop crosses 14 communes between Lisieux, Cambremer and Beuvron-en-Auge. Green "Route du Cidre" signs mark the way and make navigation easy. Allow a full day to enjoy it with food stops, two days if you want to dive deeper into cellar visits and taste at leisure.
The journey usually begins in Cambremer, the official capital of the route. The local tourist office hands out a detailed map with the list of producers carrying the "Cru de Cambremer" label, a guarantee of quality.
Must-see stops along the route
Beuvron-en-Auge opens the route with its half-timbered houses and listed market hall. Make a stop at the Chapelle Saint-Michel-de-Clermont, perched above the village, for a stunning panorama of the bocage. In Bonnebosq, visit the Manoir du Champ-Versant, a 15th-century jewel.
Cambremer is home to the Maison du Cru, where you can discover the diversity of the region's ciders and Calvados. Continue to Crèvecoeur-en-Auge for its medieval fortified castle and its boutique of regional produce.
Understanding the cider craft
The Cider Route is above all an opportunity to understand the magic that turns the apple into cider, pommeau and Calvados. Producers open their cellars and explain each step: apple harvesting, crushing, pressing, fermentation, ageing in oak barrels for Calvados.
Calvados Pays d'Auge has been protected by an AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) since 1942. To earn this designation, it must be made from fermented cider, distilled in a double-pass still and aged for at least two years in oak.
What to bring back in your suitcase?
Producers offer their full range for tasting and sale: dry cider, sweet cider, perry, pommeau, vintage Calvados, cider vinegar, apple jelly. Favour farms with the "Cru de Cambremer" label for guaranteed quality.
To accompany these bottles, complete your hamper with a few AOP cheeses: Camembert de Normandie, Livarot, Pont-l'Évêque. The pairing of farmhouse cider and Norman cheese is a classic that never disappoints.
Where to stay to enjoy the route?
To savour this itinerary fully, nothing beats a night in a charming property in the Pays d'Auge. Restored manors, longères and cottages offer an authentic setting, often with views over the orchards. You can extend the tasting at dinner, in the calm of the bocage.
Our concierge service can also organise a bespoke route for you: private visits with partner producers, a gourmet lunch along the way, transfers with a chauffeur so you can enjoy without constraint. Discover our experiences in Normandy to design your day.
Practical tips for your getaway
Book your cellar visits in advance during high season (July, August, school holidays). Plan a designated driver or hire a private chauffeur to stay safe. And take the chance to explore the Normandie Tourisme portal to plan the rest of your stay.
Ready to enjoy the Cider Route in the best conditions? Our concierge service builds a bespoke itinerary for you, accommodation and experiences included. Contact Ma Normandie est Servie for your gourmet project.