“calva”, latin from “calvaria”: bald
“dorsa”, latin from “dorsum: crest or summit
On the sea charts of the Norman coast from the 17th century, the Latin expression “Calva-Dorsa” indicated two cliff zones with peeled crests, distant from ten nautical miles between Arromanches and Anneles.
The “Calva-Dorsa” constituted the first visible spot from open sea when the sailors were returning towards their home harbours.
This Latin idiom became through the sailors language contraction: “Calvados”.
The first official reference regarding the cider distillation in Normandy was described by Sir Gilles de Gouberville in his diaries on the 28th of March 1553.
Père Magloire maintains its position as the market leader brand of Calvados both in France and throughout the world. 70% of the sales turnover is at export.