Calvados , France. What we can see in this area of Normandy are lush apple orchards, large farms in Tudor Style and luxuriant meadows with brown and white cows. This idyllic landscape is called The Pays d’ Auge. Pont L’ Evêque, a pleasant town is situated in the middle of it. From the early times it has been a stop between Caen , Bayeux, Rouen and Lisieux. Nowadays it regretfully is left aside when one aims to visit the D-Day places. As many towns in the area Pont L’Evêque suffered massive bombardments in 1944. Almost 65 % was in ruins. In contrast to the neighbouring town Lisieux they have reconstructed the buildings in their former glory. When one enters Pont L’ Evêque via the Rue St. Michel in the west, one could easily compare it to the well-known picture postcard villages like Beuvron and Beamont. You can easily discover the town on foot. You can park your car at the large parking place in the Place Marechal Foch. On this square you can find the tourist office. Ask for the tourist guide to discover the town. A two hours walk will take you to the most interesting places. Start at the bridge over the river Touques. The Auberge de la Touques is a highly recommended restaurant. The cathedral St. Michel dates back from the 13thC. It has been rebuild in a flamboyant gothic style. The Rue St. Michel takes you to the western part of the town with some nice detours.
The “ Hotel Montpersier “has been build after Paris pink chequered stone examples. It now is a library. The old Dominican Abbey with its wooden panelling is one of the most beautiful buildings in the town. The decorated gallery on the first floor is a real eye catcher . The building is now used as an exhibition space. Lots of the half timbered buildings have different colours. These colours indicated the trades. This custom was in use because most people could not read or write. You can find them in the Rue de Vaucelles. Since 1995 many of these houses have been restorated to their former glory. Besides the Touques , another river , called the Yvie , makes its way through the town. On both sides of the small river you can still see the old tanner houses.
On the way back there is an old town prison dating back from the 19thcentury. Here according to tradition , the prisoners could go out at night on condition that he or she was back on appeal the next morning. Therefore it was called the Joyeuse Prison “.
On the Eastern side of the town you can find local retailers who sell their special products. There are some good restaurants to be found here. Le “ Rollon” in the Rue Hamelin is highly recommended.
Pont L’Evêque is also very known for its tiled shape cheese which is made in the neighbouring farms. We found one with Flemish roots. “ Fromagerie Spruytte” sells the cheese direct from the farm and on Monday you can find him at the local market. ( address : La Ferme du Bourg , 14130 Saint-Philbert –des-Champs.
Normandy does not produce wine but this is highly compensated with the heavenly Calvados ( Calva) Calvados is the pride and delight of the region. It is a double distilled cider which slowly ripens in oak barrels. There are more than hundred varieties of apples which are picked from half September onwards. They are washed , crushed and pressed within 48 hours. Afterwards comes the long process of fermentation and distillation. This must at least ripen for two years. In wooden barrels. Once bottled the riping process stops.
If you have time to stay a little more , you can visit the “ Calvados Experience” a highly magical and professional site which opened in March. There was already a visitor centre on the site of “ Père Malgoire” but this did not suffice anymore. There was need for a modern version. The co operation of the distillers “ Père Malgoire, Boulard and Lecompte made it happen.
For the Experience , the most modern techniques were used. It takes the visitor on a trip through Norman history and the whole distilling process of Calvados. There are seven halls , 3000m2 in total , each of them with a different topic. The Experience brings you in a picturesque Norman village , then you are in the middle of apple picking and then you can see the transformation from apple to calvados. Projections of 180° take you to the centre of the orchards and the picking machines. You are on the first row when the apples are washed. They seem to come to you as a waterfall would. Technology and spectacular effects interchange. A track takes you in about 50 minutes to the tasting room. Here the guides give you an explanation , not only about calvados but also about” Pommeau “ and “ Fleurs des Pommes”. There is apple juice for the children and there is a shop where you can buy these delicious products.
Groups who visit the experience have the choice out of 8 languages. For individuals there is English and French to choose from. You can reach the site easily and there is ample car space.
Info: www.calvados-experience.com
We want to explore the cider route later on , as cider making is one of the many wonderful things apples are used for.
Info Pont L’ Evêque : www.destination-pontleveque.fr
Text and photos: Gust Charrin
Nederlandse tekst:
https://cartoon-productions.be/2018/07/06/pont-l-eveque-en-zijn-experience/