Isigny-sur-Mer

Did you know there's a link between Isigny, butter, and cartoons? In the 11th century, Hugues and Robert d'Isigny traveled from Isigny (Normandy) to England with William the Conqueror, where they were given land and the title "Lords of Isigny." Over the centuries, their name anglicized from d'Isigny to Disney. Through this English branch, descendants later migrated to Ireland and then to the United States; it was there that Walt Disney was born in Chicago in 1901. Today, Isigny-sur-Mer is known for its butter, cream, and cheese, and actively reimagines this family history, including through the Isigny Sainte-Mère cooperative and a Walt d'Isigny museum. Beurre d'Isigny is a protected butter from Normandy, with a reputation as a quality product. A description of Isigny butter explicitly states that the butter served in Disneyland Paris restaurants comes from the Isigny butter sector, "because Walt Disney's ancestors settled in Isigny." This confirms the core of the story you've heard: the link between the Disney family name and Isigny is "played up" in French cuisine through the choice to use Isigny butter at Disneyland Paris.

Pascal Brackman