France’s Most Beautiful Villages: Beuvron-en-Auge

In the heart of the Pays d’Auge, in Normandy, with its half-timbered houses typical of the Norman bocage landscape, apple trees lined up in the surrounding orchards bear witness to an ancestral tradition: that of cider and calvados. This picturesque atmosphere finds its most accomplished expression in one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages: Beuvron-en-Auge.

Located 30 kilometers from Caen and 25 kilometers from Deauville, in the Calvados department, this village of 200 inhabitants constitutes a remarkably preserved testament to the timber-framed architecture of the 16th and 17th centuries. Its label, obtained in 1991, rewards the exceptional conservation of its historic buildings and the harmony of its proportions. Local legend has it that in the Middle Ages, carpenters used the wood from an entire forest to build the houses of the village, which would explain the profusion of half-timbering.

An Extraordinary Heritage

The Hall of Beuvron-en-Auge

The architectural ensemble is organized around the central square, where the 17th-century hall stands. Rebuilt in 1975 using traditional techniques, it now hosts local markets and events. Nearby, the Croix de Fer manor house, dating from the 15th century, reveals its richly carved façade. The geometric patterns of the half-timbering, the bold overhangs, and the steep roofs constitute an open-air catalog of Norman craftsmanship.

The presbytery, built in 1628, perfectly illustrates the mastery of carpenters of the time. Its construction was reportedly financed by a wealthy cider merchant, eager to assert his social success. Architectural details, such as the terracotta ridge finials and carvings on the corner posts, testify to the refinement of civil architecture of this period.

Discovering the Village

The discovery of Beuvron-en-Auge is ideally done by taking the heritage circuit, a one-hour walking tour that winds through the cobbled streets. The circuit begins at Place Michel Vermughen, in front of the tourist office housed in a 16th-century building. It continues along Rue des Petits Prés, lined with old houses with carefully restored façades.

The guided tour, offered every Tuesday morning in season, provides access to certain inner courtyards usually closed to the public. The Museum of Folk Arts and Traditions, housed in a former inn, presents a collection of tools and objects related to cider production.

Nature and Hiking

The Vergers trail offers a 7-kilometer loop (2.5 hours, moderate difficulty) through the apple trees and surrounding meadows. The route crosses the hamlet of La Vigannerie, whose traditional farm buildings complement the architectural panorama of the village.

The viewpoint from the Clermont road, accessible after a short climb, allows you to embrace the entire village in its green setting. The bocage landscape, typical of the Pays d’Auge, is punctuated by hedgerows and standard apple trees that contribute to local biodiversity.

Practical Information

• Tourist Office: Place Michel Vermughen – Open daily in season (April to October) from 10am to 6pm, weekends and holidays from November to March.
• Free Parking: Halle parking lot and Pressoir parking lot.
• Traditional Market: Saturday mornings under the hall.
• Several restaurants and antique shops on the central square.
• Accommodation: Bed and breakfasts in the old houses of the village, hotels nearby.
• Access: From the A13 highway, take the La Haie-Tondue exit, follow the D50 toward Beuvron-en-Auge.