La Route du Camembert

Vimoutiers: Cradle of Camembert

Vimoutiers, a small town in the Orne region of Pays d'Auge, is inseparable from the history of camembert, that iconic Norman cheese. It was a few kilometers away, in the village of Camembert, that Marie Harel is said to have perfected the recipe in the 18th century. La Route du Camembert pays homage to this gastronomic heritage by inviting participants to travel the roads and paths that crisscross this exceptional region.

Routes for All Levels

The event offers a wide range of routes suitable for all profiles:

• Road Cycling: two circuits of 50 and 84 km using the picturesque roads of the Pays d'Auge, between valleys, hedgerows, and apple orchards.
• MTB: three routes of 30, 40, and 51 km on the hollow paths and forest trails of the Norman bocage.
• Walking: three routes of 10, 16, and 18 km accessible to all families, allowing you to discover the rural heritage at a leisurely pace.

Departures are self-paced and start from 8:00 AM, allowing everyone to start at their own rhythm. The routes are fully marked, and refreshment stops are available along the way.

A Gourmet Norman Welcome

One of the charms of La Route du Camembert lies in its warm welcome at both the start and finish. Coffee is offered at the start to begin the day well, and refreshment stops are placed along the routes to allow participants to regain their strength.

Upon arrival, each participant receives a farmhouse camembert or a bottle of Pays d'Auge cider, a delicious reward for their effort. This gourmet tradition makes the event more than just a sporting outing: it's a true immersion into the Norman terroir.

A Unifying Event in the Heart of the Pays d'Auge

Organized by a team of passionate volunteers, La Route du Camembert brings together several hundred participants each year from all over Normandy and beyond. The friendly atmosphere, the beauty of the landscapes, and the quality of the organization make it an eagerly awaited event for cyclists, mountain bikers, and hikers in the region. The event contributes to the tourist appeal of Vimoutiers and promotes an area rich in its natural and gastronomic heritage.