On our first full day in Bayeux, we plan to do the cider route. We would probably leave Bayeux around 10:30 and hope to be back for a later dinner, maybe around eight. These are the four places that seem to interest us. And possibly in this order. What do you think and do you have any other suggestions?
Fromagerie Graindorge
Manoir de Grandouet
Town of Beuvron-en-Auge
Christian Drouin's Manoir Coeur de Lion
We loved Beuvron. There was a vide-grenier (flea market ) the day we were there, which was fun to poke in, and the village was charming. We had a terrific dinner at Le Pavé d’Auge, right in the center of the village. This was a while ago, and I believe it had a Michelin star in those days, although the website doesn’t mention it now, so perhaps it’s lost the star.
Don’t know the other places you mention.
When I stayed in Bayeux (10 days a year ago last May) one of the best things I did was to drive to Cherbourg. I had an excellent lunch looking out at the harbor and was introduced to Cider Company Theo Capelle, which has the best cider I've ever run across. Took a case home (another days trip); wish I could have made it 10 cases. It's a drive from Bayeux, but worth it. Or look locally at the cellars, but good luck.
I'm always interested when I see someone mention the "cider route" because I never hear or read of any locals talking about it. At all.
It seems to be a terrific job of marketing on the part of French tourism officials east of Caen. Out of curiosity, on a trip to Lisieux a few years ago I hit many of the sites along the route. I haven't felt the urge to return.
We took a Normandy tour that stopped at Vergers de Romilly cider and calvados producer—we did a quick tasting and I found both products outstanding. They also do longer tours of the family-owned orchards and cider making, which I would do if we ever return.
