Career
Since the end of the 17th century, a renowned cheese was being produced in the Camembert region. In his Geographic Dictionary, published in 1708 Thomas Corneille wrote: "Vimonstiers: every Monday a large market is held, to which are brought excellent cheeses from Livarot and Camembert." However, according to a later legend which appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, the invention of Camembert cheese was attributed to Marie Harel who would have benefited from the advice of a refractory priest, Abbot Charles-Jean Bonvoust, who was hidden in 1796-1797 at the Manor of Beaumoncel where she worked. Supposedly he was a native of Brie, and passed along to Marie the recipe for the preparation of cheese with a bloomy edible rind, such as was produced in his native area.
In reality, Bonvoust came from Pays de Caux.
This apocryphal story, for which there is no evidence, is still often accepted as true. Nonetheless, Marie Harel certainly existed, and made Camembert cheeses according to local custom.
A statue of Marie Harel can be seen in Vimoutiers.