Cherry Rocher is the first distillery in France, founded in 1705 by Barthelemy Rocher. The distillery was the result of a visit Rocher took to help an uncle who worked in hospitals. Already an accomplished botanist, this visit made him passionate about the aromas of herbs and fruits, and developed several floral elixirs, before being inspired to macerate cherries in sugar and create what would become Cherry Rocher. Today, Cherry Rocher also operates the Distillerie du Period in Sarlat, founded in 1860. They produce aperitifs and after-dinner liqueurs.