There was a time when . . . pear cider (known in France as poiré) was going along quite nicely, supplying mainly the local market.

Then, in the 1990s, a handful of producers took the bit between their teeth with a two-fold objective : to promote poiré and to protect the local landscape. At that time they were faced with the threat of increased maize production, which meant that the large pear trees were felled, and the demand from Italian cabinet makers, who wanted to buy these same trees for their marquetry requirements.

Although neither threat has totally disappeared, poiré today is proudly promoted as Poiré Domfront, as 

• an AOC or Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (since 2002),
• an AOP(*) or Appellation d’Origine Protégée, is equivalent to the AOC in Europe (since 2006).

(*) The AOP label is attributed to original food products of quality that are characteristic of the region from which they come. The producers themselves are responsible for their Appellation d’Origine. They suggest production criteria that are subject to official decree.  The INAO (National Institute of Origin and Quality) (http://www.inao.gouv.fr/) undertakes, on behalf of the State, to ensure the protection of the AOC/AOP label and to respect production methods, both in France and abroad. The Appellation d’Origine process is a driving force in the local economy and has an important role to play in the development of a region.