Beaufour-Druval: Churches and Cider Culture

Beaufour-Druval brings together church architecture, country lanes, and the cider culture of the Pays d’Auge. You can focus on architectural history, the landscape, or regional tastings.

Churches and Architectural History

The Church of Notre-Dame de Druval dates from the 12th to 13th centuries and is protected in its entirety. It has been listed as an ISMH monument since March 13, 1975. One distinctive architectural feature is the west façade: it is a remarkable example of a gable with a projecting roof structure. A projecting roof structure means that the roof extends beyond the face of the gable. This relationship between the roof and gable helps explain the shape of the west façade.

The Church of Saint-Aubin in Saint-Aubin-Lébizay (Beaufour-Druval) dates from the 12th century. On its south side, it retains two small Romanesque windows and a cornice decorated with a sawtooth pattern. Inside is a gilded wooden altarpiece for the main altar, with a 17th-century oil painting of the Holy Family. The exterior architecture and interior furnishings offer different points of interest: the façade details are complemented by a historic altarpiece.

Routes through the Pays d’Auge

Beaufour-Druval lies on the tourist Route du Cidre. It runs through the Pays d’Auge along small, picturesque roads. The “Sur le chemin des églises de Beaufour-Druval” route is different: it is a 6.5 km circular route along quiet paved roads. Its hilly landscape includes fields where cows and horses graze, apple orchards, and half-timbered houses. The cider route describes a broader tourist itinerary, while the 6.5 km loop provides a specific route framework for planning.

Cider, Tastings, and Farm Visits

Along the Route du Cidre, visitors can sample Norman local products in Beaufour-Druval. Tastings at the Ferme cidricole Desvoye include Poiré, Pays d’Auge AOP cider, extra-brut cider, cider aged in Calvados casks, Pommeau de Normandie, Calvados, and apple juice. The products on offer may vary.

Visits to the Ferme cidricole Desvoye can include the orchards, processing workshop, cuverie, cider cellar, old press, aging cellars, and newer facilities. Visit arrangements may vary by season. The offering therefore covers both cultivation and various stages of processing and aging.

At the producer Aurélien Le Page’s premises, located at the exit of Beaufour-Druval, you can learn about the farm’s history, its expertise, and little anecdotes. Arrange the visit details in advance. The family farm in Saint-Aubin-Lébizay adds to the culinary options with a farm shop that also offers jams, honey, and caramel; the selection may change.

Discover more destinations: La Cambe, Saint-Sylvain, Saint-Germain-Du-Pert, Bayeux, Versainville, Heurtevent, Colombières, Sainte-Honorine-Du-Fay.

For the broader travel overview: Calvados.