Plizio Visual Lab

Livarot

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
—°1069
Livarot (France)
ℹ️

Practical info — Livarot

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Visit the Graindorge cheese factory's 'Village Fromager' in the morning to see production in action.
  • In summer, parking around the cheese museum can be tight; consider using parking lots in the town center and walking the short distance.
  • Keep in mind that many shops, especially away from the main street, close at lunchtime.
  • The town is small and wonderful to explore on foot; look out for the traditional half-timbered architecture.

🍽 Food

🍽
Livarot Cheese

Taste this strong, soft cheese with the orange rind ('The Colonel') directly at the cheese factory or in local delicatessens.

🍽
Calvados and Cider

Normandy classics; enjoy a dry cider with hearty dishes in the town's traditional crêperies.

🍽
Teurgoule

Try this traditional Norman rice pudding with cinnamon, often offered in bakeries.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Graindorge Cheese Factory Shop

The best place to buy Livarot and Pont-l'Évêque directly from the producer.

🛍
Local Weekly Markets

Look for fresh farm products from the Pays d'Auge region at the market.

🧘
The Rural Surroundings (Pays d'Auge)

Drive a few minutes out of town to enjoy the typical Norman landscape with apple orchards and half-timbered farms.

🧘
Manoir Gardens

Some of the manor houses in the area offer peaceful, well-kept gardens that invite for a quiet stroll.

Highlights of 2026

10

Livarot is a historic town positioned in the heart of the Pays d'Auge, in the Calvados department of Normandy. It is globally recognized as the birthplace of Livarot cheese, a pungent and prestigious dairy product with AOC status, famously nicknamed 'The Colonel' due to the five sedge strips that traditionally wrap its side. The town's aesthetic is defined by classic Norman architecture, featuring numerous well-preserved half-timbered houses and grand 19th-century industrial buildings that once housed cider presses and cheese dairies. Located along the banks of the Vie River, Livarot has a long history of utilizing its water resources for various crafts, including tanning and milling. Beyond cheese, the town is a focal point for the region's cider and Calvados brandy production, with many local estates offering tastings. In 2016, Livarot merged with several surrounding villages to form the larger commune of Livarot-Pays-d'Auge, yet it remains the primary commercial and cultural hub. Its weekly markets and local festivals continue to celebrate the rich agricultural traditions that make this part of Normandy so distinctive.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C4471013161818151285
Rain mm655456435854545848737479

Live webcam – Livarot

See what it looks like near Livarot right now.

Saint-Pierre-en-Auge › West: Le manoir de Meautry · 7.5 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com

Geography

Population
2,656
Coordinates
49.00670, 0.15250

Facts

  • Livarot cheese was officially granted AOC status in 1975.
  • The town is a major stop on the famous 'Route du Cidre' (Cider Route).
  • The Saint-Ouen church dates back in part to the 15th century.
  • Original area before the 2016 merger was 10.59 square kilometers.
  • Home to the Village Fromager - Fromagerie Graindorge museum.
  • Located approximately 45 kilometers south of the coast at Deauville.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Livarot (6)

Saint-Ouen Church⛪ religious

A historic 15th-century church featuring classic Norman architecture and serving as a spiritual center for the community.

Manoir de l'Isle🏺 historical

A striking 19th-century manor house surrounded by a beautiful park, showcasing the typical architectural style of Pays d'Auge.

Manoir de Carel🏰 castle

Manoir de Carel is a traditional manor house and castle-type structure located in Livarot.

Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur⛪ religious

Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur is a religious building and place of worship in Livarot.

Église Saint-Michel⛪ religious

Église Saint-Michel is a historic place of worship in the Livarot area.

DevalKart📍 landmark

DevalKart is a local recreational attraction located in Livarot.

Frequently asked questions

What is Livarot famous for?
The town is home to the namesake cheese, nicknamed the Colonel due to its decorative bands.
Where can you see the cheese-making process?
Visit the Graindorge Cheese Dairy, which gives interactive tours and tastings.
Is there typical Norman architecture in Livarot?
Yes, in the center you can find many welcoming timber-framed houses from the 18th and 19th centuries.
When does the cheese festival take place?
The Foire aux Fromages (cheese fair) usually takes place in August, attracting many foodies.
How to get from Lisieux to Livarot?
It is a short, approximately 20-minute drive south via the D579.
Livarot: where is it located?
Livarot is located in Normandie, France.
Livarot: what is there to see?
Highlights include Saint-Ouen Church, Manoir de l'Isle, Manoir de Carel.
Livarot: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Livarot: why is it worth visiting?
Livarot is a historic town positioned in the heart of the Pays d'Auge, in the Calvados department of Normandy.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → Most beautiful beaches → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in France →

Nearby cities