The anecdote has come down to us today thanks to the notes of Jacques de Cahain, a gentleman settled near Wallonia during the Renaissance; The great King Francois I, passing through there, had bars in the year one thousand five hundred and thirty-two; (cider barrels) following him he used as much as he could stand… This almost Rabelaisian scene, with Gargantua’s shadow hovering over a cask drinking from a barrel beneath a sunny garden, speaks volumes about the remote origins of this strange drink made from fermented apples in the Manchurian lands. The first cider presses even date back to the Middle Ages, say local historians, who brought the first apple trees to Normandy from northern Spain around the 10th century.
A little history also tells that on his return from his journey to the Cotentin, François I would begin: I have never seen such an ugly apple tree produce such good cider. From the Channel, the legend of good cider was born, but not yet its trade route. At least until Paris. It wasn’t until 2017 that Cotentin cider (finally) received the AOC label. Decades later, from those attributed since 1996 from the Pays d’Auge, Calvados, or even Cournois in southern Brittany’s Finistère.
One of the reasons for that. until the early 2000s, cider production in Manch, largely confined to small family farms, was often content with the local market. Above all, in the early years of the CAP, farmers were invited to uproot their gardens to return the land to other crops. But before the awareness of several operators who are restarting this sector, which is just waiting to overcome the prejudices about this drink, the former farm workers were drinking up to more than 10 liters a day. Le Figaro Therefore, researched the Manchurian bokot to look for good addresses. Norman blond gold “.
Wallonia Regional Cider Museum
Located in front of the magnificent Hotel de Beaumont, in the oldest Norman house (1530) of the “Little Versailles”, which incidentally housed the bone until it was converted into a museum in 1972, the Wallonia Regional Cider Museum first surprises. its size. a dozen pieces in their own juice (what century are we in when entering)? And then for the diversity of its collection: cider presses, pottery, stills and other old costumes or even sound animations to better understand the history of cider. We get caught up in the game, especially since visitors are offered a small free tasting (cider or apple juice) at the exit.
Regional Cider Museum, rue du Petit Versailles, 50700 Valognes. Such. 06 75 89 89 52. Price: €4.50, free for children under 18. A playbook for children aged 6 to 12 is available free of charge at the museum reception. Open daily from July to August from 11am to 6.15pm (Sundays from 2pm).
Grosville Commandery Farm
Our favorite for its authenticity. One sign indicates the entrance to the farm, where the visitor easily parks in the yard. We immediately feel at ease as we greet Jean-Francois Voltier, who will soon hand over the farm created by his grandfather to his son-in-law, Benjamin Lepelly, to the sound of gravel under the tires. ” Is it for a visit or for tasting? asks our cider maker quietly, followed by a young puppy. Undoubtedly, we are in the village. The smell of apples and old agricultural machinery hangs in the air. One-hour tours here are free. Benjamin is there to explain his art. Tastings are free. And a shop in a farmhouse where you can divine ancestors sitting in front of an old fireplace offers direct sale the full range of apples you could hope for: pommo, calva, fruit juice, raw, extra. – raw or dry cider.
La Commanderie Farm, place called La commanderie, 50340 Grossville. Such. 02 33 04 32 30. Visits and tasting of La Cidrerie daily from April to September from 11:00-15:00-17:00 (duration approx. 1 hour). The store is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 7pm (April to September).
Father Mahieu cider house Bricquebosq
Established in 1920 on the road linking Barneville-Carteret to Cherbourg, the Per Maheu cider house was taken over in 2006 by Alain Pismont, who turned it into a brand that has become essential for aficionados. Now everything is organic. Here the visitor enters the heart of a 16th-century village built entirely of local stone, where a family of five works. Aurora, the daughter, and Laurent, the son-in-law, will soon take up their duties. Alain Pismont sees this as proof that the field is getting younger at the same time as it is becoming more professional. Guided tours of the Cider House, lasting 45 minutes or longer, are available year-round and in German or English. During an in-store tasting (free), the operator shares his passion for the region’s cider. “Generally, people only associate it with pancakes, which is a shame. – exclaims Alain Pismont. Unlike Pays d’Auge cider, which is rounder and sweeter, so perfect for dessert, Cotentin cider is a bit more bitter and pairs well with full meals, such as leg of lamb from Mont Saint-Michel or a seafood platter. .
Cidrerie Le Père Mahieu, Hameau Les Mesles, 50340 Briqueboscq. Such. 02 33 93 03 79. Visits throughout the year.
AS WELL AS…
Cidrerie Théo Capelle, 50340 Sotteville. Such. 02 33 04 41 17. Shop with many regional products. Paid visit (€2.5).
Cidrerie Les Vergers de la passion, 50260 Rauville-la-Bigot. Such. 06 13 53 44 90. Guided tour with tasting.
Domaine de Rugueville, 50580 Portbail. Such. 06 61 40 04 22. Sales of apple, cider, calvados and cider eau-de-vie products (partly organic) on the premises.
Maison Hérout cider house, 50500 Auvers. Such. 02 33 71 07 89. Founded in Auvergne in 1946, Maison Hérout has had a 100% organic garden since the 1970s.
Cidrerie Claids, 50190 Saint-Patrice-de-Claids. Such. 06 30 04 42 25. Delicious apple recipes: cider, Pomomo, apple juice, Calvados… But also homemade creations like Apéro’Claids or Key’s Claids.
Cider Lemasson, 50570 Cametours. Such. 02 33 45 80 73.
Haupais cider house, 50000 Le Mesnil-Rouxelin. Such. 06 70 38 06 62.
Practice
ASK ABOUT
Valognes tourist office: encotentin.fr/valognes
Cotentin Tourist Office: encotentin.fr
GO
By car.
The RN13 (2x 2 lines) is free from Paris-Caen, it joins the RN176 for Saint-Lô and the A84. The tourist route (D650) offers unique landscapes that pass through the Manche department from Avranches to Cherbourg.
By bus.
Nomadic lines serve the whole of the Channel department and the Normandy region.
By train.
The Paris-Cherbourg line (departs from Saint-Lazare station) serves Carentan, Vallon and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (OUI.sncf and commentjyvais.fr).
OR SLEEP
Gobelins Inn
The seven comfortable rooms overlook the countryside or the garden, recalling the legends of La Hague and the exotic garden that surrounds the terraces. At the table, the slab has some pleasant surprises, depending on the chef’s inspiration. From 108 euros per night in a double room.
Auberge des Goubelins, At the Manoir du Tourp Omonville-la-Rogue D45, 50440 La Hague. Such. 02 33 01 02 20:
Source: Le Figaro
