Manoir D'Apreval

The Manoir d'Apreval is a family owned estate that operates apple orchards with organic farming and produces pure juice (without added sugar), ciders and calvados, apple brandy produced exclusively in the Normandy region of France. We learned so much during our tour of this 4th generation cider maker - the apples are grown organically and honestly, the produce the best apple juice I've ever tasted. The Manoir makes 150,000 bottle of cider a year, along with 30,000 bottles of apple juice, all of which is distilled in 100 French oak barrels. They also produce calvados, which at 140-160 proof, can be sipped neat as a digestif.

In Normandy, dairy cows and apple orchards share a symbiotic ecosystem that defines the production of Calvados. Farmers let cows graze under the apple trees, and the cows help naturally till the land and fertilize the soil, allowing many orchards to work organically with reduced (or no) pesticide use.

French oak barrels filled with cider and calvados. 

Along with apple crisp, we sampled apple juice, two different proof apple ciders, and calvados.

Located on the same property is the Pennedepie Church. Its foundation dates back to the 1100s although the current structure replaced an older stone church destroyed during the Hundred Years War.

Honfleur

We spent most of May 14th in Honfleur, which is a lovely town located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine, across from Le Havre. Honfleur was occupied by the English at various times in the 14th and 15th centuries and when occupied by the French, raiding parties often left from Honfluer to pillage towns on the coast of England. After the D-Day landings, Honfluer was liberated by the British and Canadian armies without any combat. We went to the Eugene-Boudin Museum, where we viewed various Boudin and Monet paintings (both of whom were inspired by the beauty of Honfleur), as well as religious sculptures. We then spent a few hours walking around Honfleur, visiting various historic sites and shops. One of the places we visited was Saint Catherine Church, which is one of the largest wooden churches in France. The first nave is the oldest part of the church, constructed right after the Hundred Years War and additions were made in the 15th and 16th centuries. The bell tower was then built a distance away, so that the church would not catch fire in case of a lightning strike. The church is partially covered in essentes, or chestnut shingles. When we were in Honfleur, there was actually a First Communion taking place in the church.

The Port of Honfleur by Edmond Petitjohn

Etretat by Claude Monet

A group of paintings by Boudin.

Le baiser by Rodin.

Eglise Sainte Catherine

The church bell tower.

As we did on most days, we went to a local boulangerie and grabbed a baguette and poulete crudite for lunch.

Monet's Giverny

After leaving the Palace of Versailles, we headed to Giverny, a village about 50 miles from Paris, located in the region of Normandy. Giverny is best know as the location of Claude Monet's gardens and home, where Monet lived and painted for 43 years. Monet purchased the house in 1890, living there with his second wife and their 8 children. A few years after purchasing the house, Monet acquired additional land and began developing his gardens, including the traditional English garden and the Japanese garden and water lily pond.

None of the paintings on display are original (all replicas) but apparently, most of the tourists were not listening when that information was provided, as they all frantically snapped photos of each and every one of them. 

The house itself was a bit of a disappointment. We waited in line for a very long time to get inside and then we were decidedly underwhelmed. 

The Japanese gardens were insanely crowded and we were very surprised by how many people simply stopped everyone around them so that they could do mini photo shoots (including an engagement session on the famous bridge) and take selfies.

There are several different species of water lilies in the pond. 

Eglise Sainte-Radegonde de Giverny is a church located a short walk from Monet's home. It is known as the parish where Monet attended services, as the final resting place for Monet and his family.

Monet's grave

The cemetery includes the graves and memorial to seven British airmen who died during WW2 when their plane crashed in Giverny.