The village of Beuvron-en-Auge, located on Normandy’s 40-mile cider route, is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France and at first glance, it’s easy to see why. With its seventeenth-century half-timbered houses and pretty village square, Beuvron-en-Auge is charmingly picturesque and looks almost like a film set.
One autumnal Saturday night last October, I was glamping Normandy style at the nearby Domaine de la Cour au Grip, aka spending the night in a calvados barrel (as you do). I was staying in the Pays d’Auge for Beuvron-en-Auge’s annual cider festival the next day.
Beuvron-en-Auge really comes alive for the Fête du Cidre. At one end of the beautiful medieval village square, tonnes of apples are crushed and pressed into fresh juice by gents in traditional Norman dress, as a crowd looks on.
Visitors can then sample the freshly pressed apple juice by the cup or buy a bottle or two to take home with them.
Lining the square are producers from across the region, each selling their own specialty. There are stands selling paté, the four Normandy cheeses, saucisson, foie gras, apple tarts, teurgoule (Normandy rice pudding), honey and a variety of locally-produced cider, Calvados and Pommeau (the local aperitif), all of which you can try before you buy.
Over a tannoy, an MC enthusiastically announces everything the day has in store, introduces stall holders, interviews the festival organisers and entertains the crowd. Then a group of musicians and men and women in traditional dress parade through the village, stopping in the square and dancing with great gusto until everyone joins in.
So if sampling delicious Normandy food and apple-themed beverages this autumn in one of the most beautiful villages in France appeals, why not head over to the Pays d’Auge in Normandy for October half-term? This year’s Fête du Cidre in Beuvron-en-Auge takes place on Sunday 20 October and is just one of the many apple-themed festivals taking place across the region.
For more information on Normandy food and drink, visit the Normandy Tourism website.
All photos © Normandy Tourism unless otherwise stated
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