Musée du Poiré

About the museum

The Musée du Poiré has been housed since 1983 in Barenton, in the buildings of a typical farm of the Normandy bocage, built of stone, wattle and daub, and half-timbering. It is the only Musée de France devoted to poiré, the sparkling drink made by fermenting the juice of perry pears, emblematic of the Mortainais and Domfrontais. The site belongs to the Normandy-Maine Regional Nature Park and UNESCO Global Geopark, which manages it and forms its western gateway.

The collections show how cider products and techniques have evolved. Large historical pieces used to crush the fruit are on display, such as the pressoir à longue étreinte (a long-lever press) or the granite gadage, followed by more modern tools and processes up to the current organisation of the sector.

The museum is surrounded by a conservation orchard with more than a hundred varieties of pears and apples, with a playful trail and a picnic area. A shop sells local farm produce. During the season, from April to October, the museum hosts workshops, concerts, shows and exhibitions, and a long-term exhibition is devoted to the Poiré Domfront protected designation of origin (AOP).

Highlights

• The only Musée de France devoted to poiré
• Pressoir à longue étreinte and granite gadage
• Conservation orchard with more than a hundred varieties of pears and apples
• Playful trail through the orchard
• Exhibition on the Poiré Domfront AOP
• Shop with local farm produce

Permanent exhibitions

• Collections du Musée du Poiré – The pressoir à longue étreinte, the granite gadage, tools and modern processes trace the development of the poiré sector.
• L'AOP Poiré Domfront, le goût d'un paysage – Long-term exhibition, planned for three years, on the history of the Poiré Domfront protected designation of origin.

Founded

1983

Operated by

Parc naturel régional et Géoparc mondial UNESCO Normandie-Maine

Visitors per year

approx. 5,645

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Self-guided visits are free of charge. Activities offered at the museum during the season are also free.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The orchard has a playful trail; free supervised workshops for children aged 5 and over, accompanied by an adult, take place at 15:00 in summer by reservation, and a Halloween event is announced for October 31, 2026.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at 1664 route du Poiré in Barenton. It is 8 minutes from the Véloscénie cycle route, with a 5.3 km round-trip detour according to the park's website.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Shop selling local farm produce, craft products and products bearing official quality labels. Picnic area outdoors and under cover.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit