You’re in Normandy in the heat of summer, and that urgent and inevitable question arises: where can you find the best ice cream? Let us help!
The crème de la crème in Honfleur!
This story began when Philippe et Isabelle Cocagne, milk producers based in the Eure, started coming to Honfleur (Calvados) to sell their ice cream. Their shop, just by the famous “ Vieux Bassin” is packed on fine days and holidays. Their clients speak as one: this is hard to beat. One resident of Evreux declares that it is ice-cream to die for, and the flavours are so very original. He goes for rhubarb himself. Another declares that this has to be the best ice-cream in the world. And why not? It could just be true! Indeed, in 2015 Trip Advisor ranked it among the top ten best ice-cream parlours in France.
In Honfleur:
The shop is open seven days a week in season, Sunday to Friday from 12pm and Saturdays from 10am, until the evening. Opening hours vary according to weather and footfall
At the farm:
The farm shop in Saint-Jean-de-la-Léqueraye in the Eure département is open from March to December on Friday evenings (5pm to 7pm) and Saturdays (10am to 12pm)
You might also have the good fortune to come across their ice cream van on special occasions around the region.
Finger-lickin’ good ice cream at the Follet Farm
If you happen to be passing by Saint-Valery-en-Caux, why not head off to the farm run by Hélène and Arnaud Follet. You are welcome just to look around the farm, but if you come at 5.30pm you can watch the milk parlour at work. The ice creams and sorbets are delicious. One client said: “Every time we come to Normandy we just have to pop into the farm for their ice cream, and it’s such a glorious setting into the bargain! In the summer we take a break on their terrace before going back to Lille…” Recently a big noise in journalism made such a noise about it – it (nearly) got on CNN!
240 Impasse d’Artemare 76450 SAINT-VAAST-DIEPPEDALLE
Your itinerary
Organic ice cream in a cosy city setting
“Delicious Rouen” opened in 2017, to the great delight of all amateurs of ice cream, cakes and soups (the shop also serves savoury dishes). Both trendy and cosy, it offers a wide choice of ice cream with an original range of flavours such as rose, violet, lavender, ginger, and honey: this tea room has just about everything to please every palette. The service is excellent, everyone says so! The fact that the ice creams and sorbets are all organic and gluten-free is a popular plus with punters. There’s a terrace, seating inside, or take-away in pots and cornets if you prefer.
Delicious Rouen
3, rue de l’Hôpital
76000 Rouen
Opening hours: Sunday from 2pm to 7pm / Tuesday and Wednesday from 11am to 7pm / Thursday from 11am to 7pm / Friday and Saturday from 11am to 11pm.
Ice cream in the Bay of the Mont-Saint-Michel
If you really want to wrap your tongue around a seriously good GMO-free ice-cream that’s packed with flavour, you should get along to the Grand Pacey farm where the ice-cream is prepared in the traditional ways with no artificial colourings or flavourings, all ingredients are entirely natural and of the highest quality. The cows are grazing in open pasture for most of the year. Here are some of the flavours to whet your appetite: lychee, rose, raspberry and salted caramel. You can taste these flavours on the spot but don’t forget to bring along an icebox to take some back to where you’re staying; or back home of course! Always ensuring of course that your icebox is up to the task!
Ice cream in Lonlay l’Abbaye
“This is really good ice cream, and my favourite is the salted caramel. Not only that but the family are really friendly!” raves Nicole in a recent review. Among the specialties of the Bidard family (Delphine, Hervé and Pascaline) there’s calvados and caramel flavoured ice creams and pear cider sorbet. And while you’re here, you should visit the Lonlay Abbey nearby and the medieval town of Domfront on its rocky outcrop. At Lonlay l’Abbaye, you’re only 20 minutes from Mortain and its waterfalls, which are the highest in western France.
Glaces de La Ferme Bidard
Lieu-dit La Guerche Carrée
61700 Lonlay l’Abbaye
Opening hours: Wednesdays from 2pm to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 5pm.
Maison Florin in Cabourg, Deauville and Trouville
This local company, which has three shops in Normandy, invites you to taste the creamy homemade ice creams created by its master ice cream maker. In the interests of quality, the company favours short supply chains for its ingredients. And we love that. These ice creams are served in pots, flower cones, cups and even macaroons for those with a sweet tooth.
Gérard Taurin – ‘Meilleur Ouvrier de France’ in Mortagne-au-Perche
Gérard Taurin has made a name for himself in the culinary world, particularly in the field of ice cream. Winner of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France Glacier title and even World Champion Glacier, he has set up shop in Mortagne-au-Perche and Deauville, much to our delight. His ice creams and sorbets are authentic, made with milk from an organic farm in the Perche region, and the ingredients are sourced as far as possible from short supply chains. In short, it’s a no-brainer.
Gerard Taurin – Meilleur Ouvrier de France Glacier
Passage des Merciers
61400 Mortagne-au-Perche
Glaces Sœurette in Saint-Aquilin-de-Pacy
This shop is the brainchild of a brother, a sister and a friend who all love ice cream. The choice of raw materials is made in collaboration with local players, with a view to quality and respect for the Normandy terroir. The shop offers a wide range of products: ice-cream desserts to share, individual ice-cream desserts, eskimos, ice-cream tubs and sorbets, all 100% homemade.
Glaces Soeurette
34 Rue Charles Ledoux
27120 Pacy-sur-Eure
A different way to discover Normandy
Our selection of Normandy Experiences
Normandy Experiences are local gems that add meaning to your trip. You’ll meet Normandy people who are truly passionate about what they do.
Cheese and Cider Tasting in Normandy
Pont L’Évêque
Bayeux
Making our own Calvados at the Chateau du Breuil
Le Breuil-en-Auge
Thematics