What is the Maison Giffard?

Founded in Angers in 1885 by Émile Giffard, Maison Giffard is a family business specialising in liqueurs, fruit creams and syrups. This company created the famous Menthe-Pastille , and for more than five generations it has been perpetuating its recognised expertise, still firmly rooted in Anjou .

What can you do at the Maison Giffard in Angers?

The Maison Giffard offers guided tours of the Espace Menthe-Pastille, fun experiences such as immersive games, and mixology workshops. The tour ends with a tasting session. Alcohol abuse is harmful to your health, consume in moderation.

Where is the Maison Giffard located?

The Maison Giffard is located near the centre of Angers . The Espace Menthe-Pastille welcomes visitors to the historic production site, easily accessible during a stay in our destination. For practical information, take a look at our dedicated fact sheet .

How long does a visit to the Maison Giffard last?

On average, a guided tour lasts about 1.5 hours , including a tasting. The duration may vary according to the experience chosen (workshop, game, event format), ranging from 1 to 2 hours per visit.

Do I need to book to visit the Maison Giffard?

Yes, tours and experiences are by reservation only, and groups are limited to ensure a comfortable, high-quality experience. Book your visit

Maison Giffard : an iconic Angevin heritage site

A story born from an Angers spark

It all began in Angers in 1885, when a young pharmacist and herbalist by the name of Émile Giffard invented a white mint liqueur with digestive and refreshing properties.

His immediate success led him to convert his dispensary into a distillery, creating the Menthe-Pastille in reference to the very popular mint pastilles of the time. Five generations later and over 140 years on, Giffard is still a family-run business, perpetuating tradition and expanding its range of recipes with fruit creams, liqueurs, guignolets and syrups distributed in over 90 countries. The brand is now internationally renowned and throws open its doors to anyone looking to find out more about this iconic Anjou house.

Why visit the Maison Giffard in Angers?

The Maison Giffard is a must-see heritage site in Angers, where you can discover over 140 years of expertise in syrups, Menthe-Pastille and liqueurs, through immersive tours, fun experiences and tasting sessions just a few minutes from the centre of the city.

Book your visit for Maison Giffard

What will you discover on a visit to the Maison Giffard?

A heritage trail

Dive into the history of Maison Giffard, from the creation of Menthe-Pastille to the development of a family business still firmly rooted in Angers.

Production secrets

Discover the main stages in making syrups and liqueurs: selection of ingredients, maceration, bottling and know-how handed down from generation to generation.

A sensory approach

At the end of the tour, a tasting session invites you to explore aromas and flavours, in order to understand the full richness of Giffard creations.

Fun experiences

Guided tours of the Maison Giffard

Visit the heart of the iconic Maison Giffard

Just a few minutes from the centre of Angers, push open the doors of the Espace Menthe-Pastille to discover a behind-the-scenes look at Maison Giffard. Behind its walls, family history intertwines with the secrets of production: from the selection of fruit, plants and herbs, to the key stages of distillation and the production of syrups and liqueurs.

The tour takes you through the site’s most emblematic areas : the Espace Menthe-Pastille and the maceration and bottling rooms, before ending with a tasting session, designed to offer you a moment of sensory discovery.

Tour duration: 1 hour 30 minutes, including tasting.

The Mission Mitcham escape game

Warning! Menthe-Pastille production is at a standstill. Stocks of essential mint oils are locked away behind a security system. You have one hour to unlock the chests containing these precious reserves before it restarts. Will you be up to the challenge?

Tour duration: about 1 hour, followed by a tasting of the cocktail of the moment.

Cocktails and mixology workshop

Take part in a cocktail workshop and become an expert mixologist! Learn the art of mixing with the Giffard experts. Discover 3 original recipes, under the expert guidance of a bartender, and make cocktails worthy of the world’s greatest bars to impress your guests. On your shakers, get set, create!

Duration: 2 hours, including tasting.

©
Giffard Espace Menthe Pastille
|
Nicolas Coipeau

Cocktail improv evening

The LIMA (Ligue d’improvisation d’Angers) invites itself to Giffard for an evening of unique and lively entertainment.

On the programme: improv theatre, a cocktail break to discover two recipes (with and without alcohol), then back on stage for the end of the show. A lively moment to share with family or friends.

Discover all the Giffard experiences

Practical information to make your experience easier

📍 Address: Chemin du Bocage, 49240 Avrillé
⏱️ Average tour duration: 1 to 2 hours
👥 Couples and groups of adult friends
📅 Booking recommended
🗣️ Tours available in French and English

Informations pratiques

- See opening hoursWarning: Unsecured hours
Inclus dans le Angers City Pass
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Visitor reviews of the Maison Giffard in Angers

To extend your visit

the shop

At the end of your visit, the Giffard shop invites you to extend your experience with some of the brand’s signature products: syrups in a thousand flavours, fruit creams, creations dedicated to the world of cocktails and much more.

You can find a selection of Giffard products in our online shop.

ALCOHOL ABUSE IS HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH. TO BE CONSUMED IN MODERATION.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Maison Giffard?
Founded in Angers in 1885 by Émile Giffard, Maison Giffard is a family business specialising in liqueurs, fruit creams and syrups. This company created the famous Menthe-Pastille, and for more than five generations it has been perpetuating its recognised expertise, still firmly rooted in Anjou.
Why visit the Maison Giffard in Angers?
A visit to the Maison Giffard is the chance to discover a slice of Anjou’s industrial heritage, while going behind the scenes of an iconic company. The tour gives visitors a better understanding of the production stages, the family history and the attention paid to ingredients, through an accessible and friendly experience.
What can you do at the Maison Giffard in Angers?
The Maison Giffard offers guided tours of the Espace Menthe-Pastille, fun experiences such as immersive games, and mixology workshops. The tour ends with a tasting session.
Alcohol abuse is harmful to your health, consume in moderation.
Where is the Maison Giffard located?
The Maison Giffard is located near the centre of Angers. The Espace Menthe-Pastille welcomes visitors to the historic production site, easily accessible during a stay in our destination.
For practical information, take a look at our dedicated fact sheet.
How long does a visit to the Maison Giffard last?
On average, a guided tour lasts about 1.5 hours, including a tasting. The duration may vary according to the experience chosen (workshop, game, event format), ranging from 1 to 2 hours per visit.
Do I need to book to visit the Maison Giffard?
Yes, tours and experiences are by reservation only, and groups are limited to ensure a comfortable, high-quality experience.

Book your visit

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