Distillerie Paul Devoille

Production places

Connections to water sources, peat places, maltings, cooperages, warehouses and maturation sites. Uncertain connections are labelled.

No documented production places are linked to this distillery yet.

Distillerie Paul Devoille in Fougerolles was founded in 1859 by Xavier Devoille; since then it has been a family-run business focusing on eaux-de-vie, liqueurs, absinthe, gin and other fruit-based products. The distillery is known as the last Fougerolles distillery to practice traditional aging under the roof in glass jars in vaulted attics.
Absinthe has a tumultuous history in the region; the distillery produced absinthe until 1915, and later re-emerged in the 2000s with the Libertine® series and other absinthes. In 2011 the ban on absinthe was officially lifted again, and since then the distillery has been one of the leading absinthe producers in France.
Since 2015 the distillery has held the EPV label (Entreprises du Patrimoine Vivant), which was renewed in 2021, recognizing its special craftsmanship and traditional methods. In recent years there has also been a focus on whisky and new single malt products, including announcements of Origine Single Malt and other whisky launches.
In addition to production, experience facilities have been established such as Jardin Secret de la Fée Verte; guided tours, and a well-stocked shop where visitors can explore the history of the products and sample them in moderation.

Fruit processing: Each year the distillery processes between 400 and 500 tons of fruit, mainly from French growing regions (e.g., pears in the Rhône valley, Fougerolles cherries, and Mirabelle in Lorraine).
Fermentation: Ripe fruit is crushed and fermented; the yeast converts sugars into alcohol after about two days in combination with a natural yeast culture, and the natural fermentation lasts 5–8 weeks.
Distillation: Traditional distillation in copper stills, where the heart of the distillate (bon goût) is selected for aging. One of the stills is more than 100 years old.
Aging: Eaux-de-vie are stored in three attic-sized containers; 1200 demijohns of water bottles wrapped in Hessian fabric are stored under the ceilings, where seasonal temperature differences concentrate the fruit aromas through Part des Anges (angel's share).
Aging duration: The youngest series is aged at least 2 years, the Réserve series at least 5 years. This is one of the few distilleries in Fougerolles that still practices this traditional aging.
Post-aging: After aging, the eaux-de-vie are reduced to 43–45% vol and bottled on two lines (over 35 cl and miniature bottles), both adapted to order flow.
Recognition: The EPV (Living Heritage Company) prize was awarded in 2015 and renewed in 2021 in recognition of its special craftsmanship.

Whisky Single Malt Origine: Developed by Devoille as a Single Malt and produced from Orge maltée Origine France; the result comes from a double distillation.
Whisky Single Cask: Launched in 2024 as a single-cask (cask strength) variant.
Whisky Single Malt Devoille Lot #3: Earlier release (Lot #3) of a single malt.
General: The distillery has announced several whisky launches from 2021–2025, including Origine and Single Malt variants as part of an expanded whisky range. The present information illustrates an active whisky production and ongoing innovations.

Guided tour: Offered year-round; for individual visitors there are seasonal times from 1 July to 31 August (Monday–Friday at 10:30 and 15:30) and the rest of the year on Tuesdays at 15:30. The tour lasts 30–45 minutes with a tasting. No reservation is necessary for individual visits; please check in at the shop at the time of the tour.
Group visits: Accepted every day by prior reservation; minimum 25 people; guided in French, duration 1–1.5 hours; free bus parking; opportunity to purchase; 4 €/person on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays includes a free miniature bottle.
Buildings: Aging rooms and granaries (lofts) where the aged products are stored; an 8-minute film in the cellar describing the production process, available in French; the cellar (reifekeller) and Jardin Secret de la Fée Verte offer free access without advance appointment and have seating for picnics; the cellar is open daily from 10:00–18:00 and free admission (not accessible to people with mobility issues). Parking is free at the distillery. Dogs are not allowed during guided tours but may wait outside on the grass in front of the shop.
Shop and tastings: The shop is open year-round, with free tastings of the full range (moderate); opportunity to purchase products at base prices, gift packs and beer from Brasserie du Pays Welche; there is also information and online ordering options.

Special craftsmanship: Distillerie Paul Devoille promotes a craft based on carefully selected fruits, generations of know-how, constant innovation and high-performance equipment, driven by passionate people.
EPV label (Living Heritage Company): Awarded in 2015 and renewed in 2021 in recognition of the company's special traditional know-how.
Innovation and tradition: The combination of traditional copper distillation, aging in the attics and new products such as whisky demonstrates their balance between heritage preservation and innovation-driven additions.
Local focus: Kirsch de Fougerolles AOC and Fougerolles cherry are highlighted as local specialties; Jardin Secret de la Fée Verte increases public access and understanding of absinthe plant culture.