Description:

Introduction

The village of Le Sap has kept its 19th century feel with narrow streets and brick facades. The site of the Grand Jardin is opposite the church and is an old farm and cidery and extends over 3 hectares.

Today, Le Grand Jardin has been completely restored.  The cottage or 'Maison des Ouvriers' houses a library, the brick built Masters House is now a gîte that sleeps 19. Another building, in the style of the Pays d'Ouche, is now the Maison des Associations and part of the old wooden farm buildings, in the style of the Pays d'Auge, are now a restaurant. Visitors can still see the old tethering rings where the cows were milked.

The Ecomusée 'de la Pomme au Calvados' is housed in the farm's old cidery. The brick built buildings still retain the vats which were in use until 1937 making cider under the label 'Jusdor'.

The museums collections mainly relate to the production and of cider and its distillation on the farm to make Calvados.  The objects illustrate the work of the local cider farmers: grafting the apple trees, harvesting the apples, fermenting the cider and the distillation process.

The key exhibits in the museum are the 'gadage' (apple crusher) and the press, both of which are made from wood and date back to the 18th century. There is also a copper still.

For further information, contact: http://www.le-grand-jardin.asso.fr/