If you visit Beuvron-en-Auge and you wish to prolong your stroll in the Pays d'Auge, do not hesitate to continue your way south until Victot-Pontfol. The village is also on the Route cider, an ideal route to take by car to immerse yourself in the Auge countryside and taste the typical products of the Calvados.
In Victot, the remarkable residences will catch your eye, not to mention its castle of the XVIIe century, nor multiples stud who participate in the maintenance of the territory with care. In total, 6 stables are installed on the 10,5 km2 by Victor!
The Dupont House of Victot-Pontfol
The Dupont family has been operating for several decades 30 hectares of orchards of cider apples in Victot-Pontfol. For four generations, this family business has been transforming the fruits of its harvest into various gastronomic products: ciders traditional and special vintages, calvados et Normandy pommel.
In the store, which is open all year round, you will discover, among other things, a range of 17 calvados. During the summer season, the Dupont House opens its doors to you. The guided tours offered introduce you to the estate and the profession of cider producer. There follows a tasting excellent calvados and vintage ciders.
Guided tours are open to individuals during the summer season. However, groups can be accommodated all year round by reservation.
But the activities of Dupont House don't stop there. Indeed, the domain is at the initiative of various events and animations such as gourmet walks and musical aperitifs. It is even possible to participate in the apple harvest in October and November!
The Castle of Victot
Another charm and not the least, a few steps from Saint Denis church, in the Dorette valley, is the castle of Victot. Century-old chestnut trees precede the entrance gate.
This very beautiful building is classified under the Historic Monuments since 1953. The inspection report speaks of “one of the purest jewels of the Pays d'Auge”.
Unfortunately, it cannot be visited and belongs to an uncle of the Emir of Qatar. Even if the house was badly damaged during the Hundred Years War, it still retains the look of defensive castle, surrounded by moats, with a drawbridge and loopholes. Its reconstruction between 1570 and 1574 by the Boutin family brought typical characteristics of the Renaissance such as the large mullioned windows, the colored glazed tiles of the roof and the finials.
The castle was then transformed into stud by Pierre Aumont, in 1798. He was the general supplier of horses to the Grande Armée of Napoleon Ier. His heirs made the reputation of Haras de Victot last.
After more than two centuries in the hands of this Norman family, it was bought by Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani in 2014, for the sum of 6,5 million euros.
