Saturday on the Cider Route

After a slice of toasted brioche bread slathered with Nutella & a glass of fresh clementine juice (yes that’s descriptive – I totally want you to be able to taste how yummy it was) – we were on our way.  Oh wait – and a cup of coffee…now we were on our way.  Off we went on a quick 20 minute drive to travel the cider route.  A road of tiny villages with apple farms peppered along the way with the Normandy specialty of apple juice, cider, & calvados.   

On the Calvados website (this is the Calvados region in Normandy) it refers to the Cider route this way, “The rounded landscape, with its chateaux, manors, half-timbered houses and apple orchards, makes up the picture postcard scene. A richly authentic land where the horse is king, the Pays d'Auge is dotted with famous stud farms. The Cider Route is at the heart of the geographical zone known as the ‘Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée des Cidres du Pays d'Auge' and links about nineteen local producers, easily recognisable by the signpost ‘Cru de Cambremer'. They also welcome visitors, offering a guided tour of the cellars and tastings.   

 

We began in Beuvron en Auge, which was named one of the most beautiful villages in France.  Charming indeed (the pictures above)! We then rounded the route until we reached Beaufour.  We stopped in a toy shop, a church, two apple farms, one with a production barn and cellar on site, had a picnic by a pond, and picked up a few groceries at a tiny market.  We drove down roads blazing with color and felt like we soaked each leaf in as we passed by. We even snapped a few pictures of flowers that are still bright with color and full of bloom. Ah the joys of autumn!  

The man at the first apple farm (sad that we didn't get his name),

he took the kids over to his barn to get apples.

I've already blanked on which town goes with the pictures below.  I believe this is the town of Cambremer.  We walked around, went into the church, and enjoyed their fun statues around town.

We were suprised by the next stop by looking at our map (it didn't look like much).  However, when we pulled up to the cider tour marker & found Manoir de Grandouet , we were in for a treat!

The tour was only in French & we had our French translator, Chris, give us his take on what he thought the audio was saying in the video.  Lots of giggles in the room as he narrated.  That was until we were joined by a French speaking couple when the narration fell silent. ;)  Check out Halle, she wanted to sit all by herself to watch the movie.

You could come & taste the juice & cider after the tour in this building.  We enjoyed looking at all the different types of apples in the baskets.

The kids & I are in the cellar (which was really a barn) that had barrel dates

with markings from the year 1792.   After this picture was taken - we were going to buy some apple juice & cider & head out to eat our lunch.  She had originally told us we couldn't have the extended tour because it was in French.  However, since we were joined by the couple who could speak French - she later invited us to join in on the fun.  We got to see where they wash, press, and store the apples & juice.  It was such a unique experience & one that was truly humbling to not know how to communicate but get to listen and learn despite the language gap.  

We are slowly learning & picking up phrases here & there.  Rebekah pointed out, "mom, the only word you keep saying is merci"  Very true, Rebekah Joy!  I've been learning to walk in thankfulness in my day to day life in the states, to slow down and embrace each moment as a gift - I have no other choice but to be thankful here - it is truly one of the only words I know outside of Bonjoir!  :)

Mrs. Mahand - Ryan & I were studying the moss growing on the rocks & we were in need of a science lesson out there.  Check out that curious face - he & Halle were so fascinated with it.  

Lunch time!!!  We asked the tour guide if we could eat our picnic lunch on the grounds & she said we could.  So here we are under an apple tree, next to a pond with cute little ducks, and a amazing church in the background.  We told the kids to take a mental snapshot of this - to always remember the time we had lunch under the apple tree in France.

This was the town of Bonnebosq where we walked around for a little while &

then picked up a few groceries at a tiny market.

 Check out these pretty flowers & leaf filled roads below -

I was amazed in the cool weather they were still as colorful as they were. 

 

We made it home just as it began raining & are snuggled in for what will be a rainy night of sleep.  Pray that its a full night of sleep! :)