What is a trou normand?

A trou normand ("Norman hole") is a pause in the middle of a long meal for a small glass of calvados, a Normandy custom with a formal place at 19th-century banquets. Today it is usually an apple sorbet soaked in calvados, served between two courses as a palate cleanser before the meal goes on.

Updated 2026-10-02

Key facts

What it was. The calvados interprofession writes that in the 19th century the trou normand "had an official place at mealtimes": "a small glass of Calvados served to aid digestion during banquets and formal meals". Midway through the meal, the host invited guests to raise a half-filled glass, smell it and drink it in one gulp. [1]
Today's version. The interprofession says the tradition today is "an apple sorbet soaked in Calvados in the middle of the meal". [1] Normandie Tourisme describes the trou normand in restaurants as "a delightful Calvados sorbet that serves as a palate-cleansing pause". [2]
The spirit. Calvados is distilled from cider and perry, not straight from fruit, and aged at least two years in oak; see what calvados is. [1]

How is a trou normand served?

In the middle of the meal. It comes between two courses of a long meal, not at the end. [2]
As a small glass of calvados, the traditional form. [1]
Or as a sorbet. Today it is usually apple sorbet soaked in calvados. [1] [2]

Why was it said to aid digestion?

Aiding digestion is the reason given in the interprofession's description of the 19th-century custom. [1] It describes a custom, not a health effect. Calvados must be at least 40% ABV to be sold. [1]

What other Normandy drinking customs are there?

Café calva: a drop of calvados in coffee, a custom of 19th-century workers and farmers. [1]
Pommeau as an aperitif: a blend of apple juice and calvados, served chilled; see how to drink pommeau.
Cider with the meal: Normandie Tourisme suggests pairing meals with cider, perry, pommeau or calvados. [2] Cider farms on the Normandy Cider Route sell all of them.

Related answers: what calvados is · the Normandy Cider Route

Find it on Cider Radar

Cider makers in Normandy: 114 makers (as of 2026-10-02). Some also make calvados and pommeau.
Guide: where to buy cider · Glossary: calvados · Glossary: pommeau
You can order directly from the maker in Cider Radar (iOS, Android and web).
Open the map: app.ciderradar.com · iPhone · Android

Cider, perry, calvados and pommeau are alcoholic drinks. Enjoy responsibly and follow the legal drinking age where you live.

Questions

When is the trou normand served?

In the middle of the meal, between courses. Normandie Tourisme describes it as "a palate-cleansing pause". [2]

What is a café calva?

Calvados with coffee. The calvados interprofession says that at the end of the 19th century, workers and farmers added a drop of calvados to their morning coffee, and that many people have taken up the custom again. [1] [3]

Which calvados is used for a trou normand?

The sources we checked don't name an age. Young calvados is often used for mixing and cocktails, while older ones are kept for sipping. [3]

Sources

FAQ — Calvados Nouvelle Vogue (IDAC)
Food specialities of Normandy — Normandie Tourisme
How and when to drink Calvados — Calvados Nouvelle Vogue (IDAC)