The foods, ciders, and cheeses of Normandy
Cook, taste, learn and enjoy - April/May 2026
The foods, ciders, and cheeses of Normandy
April 27 to May 4, 2026
Join us on a food tour of Normandy, France, to sample one of the finest cuisines in France, and indeed, in the world.
Normandy, a picturesque region in northwestern France, boasts a culinary tradition as rich and captivating as its rolling green pastures and its nearly 400 miles of dramatic coastline. This will be a gastronomic journey to celebrate the bounty of the land and sea.
At the heart of Normandy's distinctive food culture lies what are often called the "Four C's": Camembert, Cider, Cream, and Calvados. The lush, damp climate and rich soil provide ideal conditions for dairy farming, leading to exceptional milk that forms the basis of its world-famous cheeses and the often-thick cream used generously in many dishes. Likewise, the extensive apple orchards produce fruit for both crisp, effervescent cider and the potent, aromatic apple brandy, Calvados. And apples are used in many of the region’s best desserts.
Beyond these best-known Norman staples, the region’s cuisine is profoundly influenced by its lengthy coastline. Seafood plays a paramount role, with fresh catches like scallops (Coquilles Saint-Jacques), mussels, oysters, and of course fresh fish. Dishes often showcase the simplicity of these ingredients, allowing their natural flavors to shine, though they are frequently enhanced by the region's signature dairy products, creating rich and comforting sauces.
Ultimately, Norman cuisine is a testament to the region's enduring culinary heritage. It's a cuisine that embraces a certain rustic elegance, prioritizing flavor and freshness above all else. A meal in Normandy is an experience that truly reflects the distinctive character of this less-known French region.
What we’ll do
Here are some of the food-related activities we’ll undertake in Normandy:
Food-related activities:
Cooking class to learn popular Normandy dishes
Visit to Farmers Market in Honfleur
Visits to a variety of Fromageries to sample the cheese
Travel the Route du Cidre
Visit to popular seafood markets
Eat at leading Norman restaurants
Tour of Calvados distillery
Other activities:
And because we can’t eat all day, every day, here are a few other activities you can expect:
Guided tour of the historic city of Honfleur
Visit the D Day beaches at Arromanches, Normandy
Dates: April 27 to May 4, 2026
Location: Honfluer, France
Cost: $4350 (see below for details)
Maximum group size: 14
Trip Details
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April 27 to May 4, 2026 (7 nights - 8 days)
Total cost of the tour: $4350
Supplement for single occupancy: $575
Deposit required to reserve a place on the tour: $450
(Places in the tour are limited to 14 and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend that you reserve your place early!)Payment schedule
$450 deposit. The deposit is refundable through December 1, 2025.
$1950 initial payment (Due January 15, 2026)
$1950 final payment (Due February 15, 2026)
All payments are refundable if we need to cancel the trip due to government restrictions or unsafe travel conditions.
** Earn a $300 discount when you bring or refer a friend.
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Cooking class
Excursions and special activities throughout the week
Pickup and drop-off at designated airport/train station at designated times
7 nights lodging
7 dinners and breakfasts, with appropriate amounts of alcohol
Local transportation by van and driver
Tips at restaurants and hotels
What’s not included:
Airfare & Travel Insurance
Lunches
Entry fees and misc. costs that are not part of the tours
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We will stay at the Hotel Casa de la Tía Tere, a short walk from the historical center of Oaxaca. The hotel features comfortable rooms, an inviting pool, and pleasant outdoor spaces for breakfast and general relaxation.
Learn more about the hotel at: www.casadelatiatere.com
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Dinners will be taken at special local restaurants throughout the week. Breakfasts are at our hotel.
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To extend your trip, and take some time to catch up on your sleep before the tour begins, you may wish to arrive early in France. Many people stop off in Paris, before or after the tour.
You can also extend your trip with a visit elsewhere in Europe.
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Your deposit is non-refundable after September 1, 2025 unless of course the trip is canceled for any reason by Travel Fever Tours. Natural disasters, political instability or low enrollment would form the basis for canceling a trip. After that date, payments you make are nonrefundable.
You will be contacted once the trip reaches minimum enrollment so that you can proceed with purchase of your flights and make other travel arrangements. In all cases, review of enrollment numbers will not take place any later than the date of the First Installment payment.
The foods of Normandy
Normandy is home to a wide variety of foods, ranging from Scallops and other seafood to dairy products, especially cheeses. It is also known for its ciders and its apple brandy, Calvados.
Let’s take a quick look at cheese. Four AOC-designated soft cheeses with rinds define Normandy's dairy tradition: Camembert, Livarot, Neufchâtel, and Pont l'Évêque. These are among France's oldest cheeses, with Neufchâtel's history potentially reaching back to the 6th century.
Camembert:
The most internationally known of Normandy cheese, Camembert offers a mild flavor. It's a moist, soft, and creamy cow's milk cheese that is surface-ripened, meaning it ripens from the outside in
Livarot:
This cheese stands out as a favorite due to its firmer, yet still soft, texture, distinctive orange hue, and pleasing nutty flavor.
Neufchâtel:
Easily identifiable in French markets, Neufchâtel is traditionally molded into a charming heart shape. (Note that this cheese is completely different than any American cream cheese.)
Pont l'Évêque:
Another soft, creamy cow's milk cheese, Pont l'Évêque originated in a Cistercian monastery in the 12th century.
Meet Simon Renault, your tour leader
Group Leader Simon Renault
Simon Renault grew up in Brittany, close to Normandy, and comes from generations of small Breton farmers. He has worked as a heritage tour guide in France and Ireland before meeting his wife in the United Stated and moving to Vermont. He started his own small organic farm in 2008.
Simon is now general manager at Scott Farm, a Vermont orchard that grows more than 130 varieties of heirloom apples. At Scott Farm, Simon loves sharing his French heritage by hosting Crêpe Nights and serving an excellent hard cider. Simon loves hiking, gardening, cooking, and eating well. For Simon, there is no better way to share good conversation and joie de vivre than around a table.
“What a lovely trip! The charming hotel was conveniently located...we were able to visit other nearby villages (by land and boat) to enjoy the markets, food and even local fetes! The dive into culture, history and cuisine was simply Parfait!”
“Exceeded my expectations. The daily excursions were interesting and took us through beautiful areas. Our trip leader was very knowledgeable as were the guides and teachers engaged for our visits.”
Is this trip for me?
If you’re interested in France and regional French cuisine, then that’s a great start for this trip. We’ll see, we’ll eat, and most of all we’ll learn.
This is not a hiking or walking tour, but plan to spend considerable time on your feet. We’ll walk around our home base in Honfluer, stroll around public markets, and otherwise spend time outdoors.
Vegetarians and Vegans can be accommodated on this trip.
Where we’ll stay:
During this tour of Normandy, we’ll be based in the small city of Honfluer. It is a harbor town beside the mouth of the Seine River.
Our lodging, the Hotel Du Dauphin, is located in the center of town, just a stone’s throw from the Port of Honfleur, beside the Église Sainte Catherine. It is surrounded by restaurants, shops, and galleries.
The hotel sports three stars and is set in walls dating back to the 12th century. There is a wellness center and urban spa on site.
Reserve this trip today:
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