Musée du Camembert - Vimoutiers
10 avenue du Général de Gaulle 61120 VIMOUTIERS
A community museum retracing the history of Camembert cheese, beginning with a film explaining the different stages of making authentic Camembert de Normandie AOP using archival footage. This is followed by a presentation of a collection of authentic equipment from farms in the Pays d'Auge region, bringing to life all the stages of the cheese's journey and allowing visitors to follow the evolution of techniques through equipment, posters, and commercial documents. A fascinating collection of Camembert box labels from all eras will delight visitors of all ages. Tastings of Camembert de Normandie AOP and other cheeses from the Pays d'Auge are available. A shop selling local products is also on site. See you soon at the museum! In July and August, starting with the summer school holidays, the team offers fun, educational, and recreational workshops every Wednesday.
Musée du Camembert - Vimoutiers
The Tour:
The tour begins with a short video, available in French or English. An avatar of Marie Harel will accompany you throughout the video, explaining the different stages of making a genuine Camembert de Normandie AOP cheese using archival footage from the Ministry of Agriculture dating back to the 1920s, as well as contemporary images of our region.
After the video, you can choose to take a guided tour, or explore on your own, through various scenes that trace the production of Camembert AOP de Normandie, from the fields to shipping.
The Equipment Collection:
Our museum houses a collection of authentic equipment from farms in the Pays d'Auge region, dating from the first half of the 19th century. We have over a hundred pieces in perfect condition. Through this collection, you will discover the different stages of making a true Camembert de Normandie, right up to the packaging.
Marie Harel holds a special place in the museum. We have a model of one of the two statues of Marie Harel located in Vimoutiers. The original statue, located just steps from the museum, lost its head during the bombing of Vimoutiers on June 14, 1944. So, did Marie Harel really invent Camembert?
The Label Exhibition:
Our museum boasts a unique collection of Camembert labels. We have approximately 10,000 of them, which are currently being inventoried and cataloged. Indeed, Camembert labels originate from all over the world, as the "Camembert de Normandie" designation only dates back to 1987. Before then, any cheesemaker could produce Camembert.
This unique collection allows us to trace not only the history of this cheese but history itself, whether through countries, cultures, or eras. This is what we offer you through several dozen labels in our new exhibition hall.
The local produce shop:
In our shop, we offer local products, some of which you may have already tasted (Camembert, Livarot, Pont-l'Évêque, Pavé d'Auge, cider, apple juice), as well as products sourced directly from producers.
Individual Museum Visit Prices:
Adults over 25: €4.00
Ages 12-25 inclusive: €3.50
Free for children 11 and under.
Combined ticket: 6.00€ with the Apple and Calvados Ecomuseum in Sap-en-Auge
https://www.le-grand-jardin.asso.fr/
Visit either of the two locations to take advantage of the combined ticket.
Group Visits
Open year-round.
Group rates (20+ people):
Entry price: €3.50
Free admission for guides and drivers.
One free admission per 20 people (21st, 42nd, etc.).
Tastings:
- Discover the 4 cheeses of Pays d'Auge: €2.40
4 toasts of Camembert, Livarot, Pont l'Évêque, and Pavé d'Auge cheese + a glass of cider or organic apple juice, accompanied by apple confit.
-A Camembert, the truth: €1.20
2 Camembert toasts + a glass of cider or organic apple juice, accompanied by apple confit.
Cancellation at least 7 days before the scheduled date is free of charge.
Description:
You will be accompanied by our guide who will share their knowledge of Camembert de Normandie production, as well as the making of cream and butter.
Feel free to ask questions.
The guided tour, tasting, and visit to our shop last approximately one hour.
Don't hesitate to contact us for more information!
Contact us to arrange your visit.
Agenda / Animations
De nombreux ateliers créatifs, gourmands, ludiques pour petits et grands sont au programme. Chaque atelier se déroule à 15h. Réservation conseillée.
Au prix de 5€ incluant l'atelier et la visite du musée.
Voici l'agenda détaillé :
- Atelier "fabriquons notre beurre"
En solo, en duo ou en équipe, venez fabriquer votre beurre et repartez avec. Tout public. Mercredi 3 juillet, mercredi 31 juillet, mercredi 14 août.
- Atelier "boîtes à camembert"
Atelier ludique "où sont les coccinelles sur la boîte de camembert". Pour public jeune. Mercredi 10 juillet.
- Jeu de piste dans le musée
A la rechercher des trois statues de Marie Harel. Adapté à un public jeune. Mercredi 17 juillet
- Atelier conférence sur la fabrication du camembert
Conférence animée par Dalila Beritane et Stanislas Raut de la Ferme de l'Instière. Tout public. Samedi 20 juillet.
- Atelier cuisine autour du camembert
Mercredi 24 juillet (camembert croustillant) et mercredi 17 août (recette surprise autour du camembert, de la pomme, du jambon de pays, de cidre et de
crème). Tout public.
- Atelier coloriage
Pour public jeune. Mercredi 7 août.
- Atelier linogravure
"Portrait de vache" avec Régine Gourdel, mosaïste d'art. Venez fabriquer votre gravure, votre torchon imprimé, votre tampon. Tout public. Mercredi 21
août.