Where can I buy French cider?
The widest choice of French cider (cidre) is found at producers in Normandy and Brittany, at the farm or through their own shops. Outside France, look for importers, wine and cider shops, and bars. Label words such as brut, doux and "pur jus" have legal meanings in France, which helps you choose.
Updated
Key facts
- "Cidre" is a protected name in France. Since 1 July 2025, a 2025 decree reserves "cidre" for drinks fermented from fresh apple must (or apple and pear), with concentrate limited to 50% of the must. [1]
- Label words have legal meanings there. The same decree reserves "pur jus" (no concentrate), "fermier" (farm-made from the farm's own fruit) and the sweetness terms doux, demi-sec, brut and extra brut. [1]
- Imports are treated differently. Products legally made or sold in another EU or EEA country, or in Turkey, are not subject to the decree's requirements. [1]
- Protected origins. Cidre Pays d'Auge and Cornouaille are AOP ciders; both are unpasteurised and get their sparkle in the bottle. [2] [3] Cotentin in Normandy is another cider AOP. [4]
- You can buy at the farm. On Normandy's signposted Cider Route, producers marked "Cru de Cambremer" welcome visitors, and some also sell pommeau and calvados. [5]
Where can I find French cider outside France?
- In France: visit producers in Normandy and Brittany, or buy from their own websites. Regional cider shops are another option.
- Outside France: importers, wine merchants and specialist cider shops carry French cidre. Ask for the producer and the region, not only the brand.
- Read the label: choose by sweetness (doux to extra brut; see what brut and doux mean), "pur jus" and any AOP name.
Related answers: the Normandy Cider Route · French vs English cider · what brut and doux mean
Find it on Cider Radar
- Cider makers in France: 226 makers and 5 other cider places (as of 2026-10-02).
- Regions: Normandy (114 makers) · Brittany (73) · Pays de la Loire (12), as of 2026-10-02.
- Cider shops: includes 1 shop in France (as of 2026-10-02).
- Guide: buying from makers
- 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
What does "brut" mean on French cider?
Brut is a legally defined term for dry French cider: at least 3.5% acquired alcohol and a density of no more than 1.016. [1]
Sources
- Décret n° 2025-162 relatif aux cidres et aux poirés — Légifrance (French Government)
- Cahier des charges de l'appellation d'origine « Pays d'Auge » (cidre): non pasteurisé, prise de mousse en bouteille — IDAC (Interprofession des appellations cidricoles), copy of the INAO specification
- Cornouaille (AOP cidre) — INAO
- Cidre Cotentin ou Cotentin (AOP; Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/939) — INAO
- The Cider Route — Calvados Attractivité (Calvados tourism board)
- Domfront (AOP poiré) — INAO