Fête du Camembert de Bernay

Camembert in the spotlight in the town of Bernay

The Fête du Camembert de Bernay is an unmissable gastronomic event that celebrates the most famous Norman cheese in the heart of the town of Bernay, a sub-prefecture of Eure. Every year, this popular festival transforms the town center into a true temple of Camembert, bringing together farmer producers, cheese makers, and local food lovers in a festive and gourmet atmosphere.

An exceptional cheese terroir

Normandy is the birthplace of Camembert, a soft cheese with a bloomy rind recognized worldwide. Camembert de Normandie AOP, made from raw milk and ladled by hand, represents ancestral know-how that this festival celebrates. The producers present offer commented tastings, allowing visitors to discover the subtleties of this exceptional cheese: its aging, its creamy texture, and its delicate aromas that vary according to the seasons and terroirs.

A market of producers and artisans

The heart of the festival is a large market of local producers bringing together about thirty exhibitors. In addition to Camembert, visitors can discover other Norman cheese treasures — Pont-l'Évêque, Livarot, Neufchâtel — as well as products from the Eure region: farm cider, calvados, perry, artisanal jams, sourdough bread, and cured meats. Local artisans also present their creations, from pottery to basketry and turned wood objects.

Entertainment and workshops for everyone

The day is punctuated by various entertainment: Camembert-making demonstrations by master cheese makers, culinary workshops around cheese (tarts, Norman fondues, baked Camembert), best Camembert toast competition, and cheese-cidre pairing initiations. Children enjoy fun and educational workshops on the Norman dairy sector, while traditional music groups entertain the streets of the town center.

Bernay, a heritage setting

The festival takes place in the historic center of Bernay, a city of art and history renowned for its half-timbered houses, its Romanesque abbey church, and its picturesque streets. Visitors can combine gastronomic discovery with a heritage walk in one of the most beautiful towns in the Eure department, at the crossroads of Pays d'Ouche and Lieuvin.