You can start by visiting the Mont Saint Michel. This is located on the Brittany/Normandy border. The structure of the abbey on Mont Saint Michel has gone on to become iconic in northern France. The entire structure rises out of a flat sandy island that is connected to the mainland by a causeway. It is considered to be one of the western world wonders and it is famous all over the world.

You can then visit the Normandy American Cemetery Memorial, which was built to honor the memories of the American soldiers who died in WWII. It is located on a cliff in Colleville sur-Mer and overlooks the Omaha Beach. This beach was one of the main landing beaches during the Normandy Invasion.

World famous and immortal painter Monet is still remembered for the beautiful landscape paintings that he has given us. He was also a connoisseur of landscapes in the real world and surrounded himself with one of the most beautiful gardens in France. This garden in located in Giverny and is just an hour’s train ride away from Paris. You will see first hand the water lilies that inspired the painter. You can roam around the beautiful garden that inspired Monet over and over again.

The four largest urban areas in Normandy are Rouen, Caen, Le Havre and Cherbourg. It is simple to arrange a car hire service in any of these cities as well as many other locations throughout Normandy. A rental car is a great asset when touring Normandy. Make sure to choose the right type of car for your trip. Consider all passenger and luggage requirements.

If you want to experience the art and culture of Normandy, you have to visit Rouen. At the heart of the city’s attractions is the Gothic cathedral of Rouen. This cathedral was one of the Monet’s favorite subjects. Even though it was bombed during WWII, it now stands beautifully restored.

If you are a person whose heart is after gastronomical delights, you will enjoy Dieppe. It is an old and busy port that is famous for its Herring festival and seafood. You will love the fresh fish and scallops that are brought in everyday. There are many more places to visit like the old port at Honfleur, Trouville and the Cider route.

Normandy is an excellent place to go for a holiday at any time of the year. This splendid region of France never fails to impress.

Scenic Countryside

Your Normandy vacation would be replete with views of the stunning landscapes, from the rugged cliffs at the coast to the hills to the valleys of the interior. The artistic Romantic movement of the late 18th century drew renowned painters such as Turner to admire the fabulous landscape and produce fantastic masterpieces on canvas depicting the Normandy countryside. His contemporary, Theodore Gericault, from the town of Rouen, was equally inspired by strong emotions evoked from an awe of the forces of nature which he translated into sweeping works of incredible art.

Later artists of great stature such as Claude Monet, the founder of French impressionist painting, further enhanced the general public’s appreciation of Normandy scenes with his paintings of water lilies. Monet’s water lily garden in Giverny is a focal point for tourists during their holidays in Normandy. All these striking colours, unusual light and dazzling scenery are as beautiful today as they were when first painted in the 19th century. Normandy’s artistic heritage is now on public display in museums throughout the world.

Golfing Haven

The charming countryside is enhanced with world class golf courses that are spread all across the region. When you’re embarking on golfing holidays in France, a Normandy vacation will bring you to some of the most striking courses in the land. Combine your golf with culture as you visit the numerous Abbeys, chateaux and cathedrals where you can enjoy the brilliant artistic and architectural legacy of Normandy. You can tee off in a golf course in Rouen, famous for its 100 bell towers and as the city in which Joan of Arc was martyred.

Something For the Children

When you take your children for a Normandy vacation, you can thrill them with luxurious swims in the sea off the northern coast of France. You can picnic on the beach along a 600km coastline and watch your children frolic gleefully in the cool waters of the English Channel. Normandy is famous for its love of everything equine. The local population will be more than pleased to express their fond appreciation of this swift and majestic animal. You could take your children horse riding at Haras du Pin, a horse breeding estate, and learn about the way horses are bred and cared for. You could entertain your loved ones to horse shows at Deauville and admire the precision in the movements of highly trained show horses.

Savouring Special Drinks

You’ll be amazed at the proliferation of apple trees and the sheer volume of apples in Normandy. The abundance of these cousins to the rose bush means that this French region is particularly noted for its cider, both excellent in taste and bouquet. Your holidays in Normandy won’t be complete if you don’t have a whiff of their apply brandy, called calvados. This alcoholic beverage is a popular drink which is consumed by the locals in the intervening period between courses of a meal. A blending of apple brandy and unfermented cider produces pommeau, an aperitif you must enjoy during your Normandy vacation.

Specific Normandy Dishes

With the wealth of apples in this beautiful region, you’ll find the local dishes have special cuisine that makes imaginative use of this delicious fruit. When dining out during your holidays in Normandy, you could savour the taste of moules à la normande – a dish of mussels that have been expertly cooked in cream and apples. If you’re a fan of pastries, try bourdelots or baked apples in pastry. You must also bite into the local variation of apple tart, the flan Normandy.

Staying in Normandy

To truly enjoy your Normandy vacation, you should stay in accommodation that exemplifies the beauty and history of this exquisite region. The lush countryside is home to luxurious manor houses now converted to self contained apartments with breathtaking views. Premier among these is Le Manoir Nezement in Lonlay L’Abbaye, a quaint village nestled just 6 miles from Domfort and easily accessible from Caen. Here you can relax in the gentle and laid back country lifestyle of rural France where you’ll meet wonderful local personalities at the patisserie and village bar.

Your holidays in Normandy will refresh you with adventurous outdoor activities in the verdant countryside. Revel in the local, apple based, delicacies and beverages. Luxuriate in accommodation that will rejuvenate you!

Lower Normandy Landscape
With about 600 kilometres of coastline there is a wonderful mixture of cliffs, pebbly coves and long stretches of golden sands – this has always been a popular destination for holidaymakers. The Cherbourg peninsula is renowned for family holidays – the most top destinations being Deauville, Trouville, and Cabourg. The Gulf Stream warms the sea here!
Inland the sparsely populated rural area is home to apple orchards (Calvados) and other fruits. There are many sleepy market towns to wander around and enjoy the local foods – including fresh bread, cheeses, fruits and a glass or two of calvados!

Lower Normandy Attractions
Apart from the many and varied beaches around the coastline, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. The D-Day landings in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 were the focus of the largest and most complex invasion ever attempted. There are many D-Day sites to be visited including:
Memorial at Caen
Remnants of “Port Winston” – an artificial harbour built in England and floated to the bay at Arromanches.
Longues-sur-Mer – fortified German gun emplacements.

Bayeux Tapestry – is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in by 230 ft) long embroidered cloth which depicts scenes commemorating the Battle of Hastings in 1066, with annotations in Latin. The tapestry presently exhibited in a museum in Bayeux.

Other lovely coastal attractions are Honfleur and Deauville. In particular, Honfleur is a popular destination. A quaint fishing port with a thriving “artist” element and lovely small shops. The restaurants are well frequented too!

Mont-Saint-Michel
This is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area, the wide bay of Mont- Saint-Michel, abutting Brittany and Lower Normandy, claims the strongest tides in Europe. This “Wonder of the Western World” towers above the vast mud-flats that surround it.
Do not miss : Visit to the abbey.

Weather/Climate
Weather is similar to the South of England with distinct seasons. Perhaps slightly warmer and sunnier in the Summer! The countryside is green so it does rain.

Getting there
By road:
From Calais ferry port / Eurostar driving times are about 5 hours. You can travel by Autoroute (tolls) all the way.
By Ferry:
Caen and Cherbourg ports are located in Lower Normandy so you can arrive in the heart of Lower Normandy from the UK. St Malo, Dieppe and Le Havre are also close by.
By Plane:
Dinard (Brittany) – flights arrive form East Midlands, Stansted and Luton. You can also fly to Paris and get to Lower Normandy in 3 hours.

Population
Just under 1.5 million inhabitants

Major Towns
Caen
Caen is famous for its historical buildings built in the time of William the Conqueror, who was buried here, and for the Battle for Caen – fighting that took place around Caen during the Battle of Normandy.
Cherbourg
Cherbourg is a commercial and military port, but none the less one of the most popular ports in France.
Deauville
Deauville is a glamorous seaside resort, symbolising elegance, prestige and sophistication. Nearby the Polo and Horse Racing re-enforces its tradition.
Alencon
Alencon is synonymous with lace and once was the lace capital of Europe. The industry has long since departed and Alencon is now the centre of manufacture for Moulinex! North of Alencon is Sees with its gothic cathedral
Saint Lo
Saint-Lo is perched on a rocky outcrop in the heart of the Cotentin peninsular. The town is surrounded by ramparts and overlooked by the Notre Dame cathedral.

Prices
(August 2006)
Coastal properties are more expensive. Inland village, town and rural properties are much cheaper. Unfortunately the days of bargain barns for renovation are long gone. There is still a strong demand for properties at the cheaper end of the market.

Price Guideline
Apartments: 60,000 euros (Coast)
Farmhouses: 30,000 euros (needs renovation)
Townhouses: 30,000 euros
Coastal Houses: 100,000 + euros
Land: from 6 euros per sq. m

Upper Normandy Landscape
The Northern coast is typically limestone (chalk) cliffs with long beaches. Inland the countryside is dominated by the meandering Seine. The estuary is just south of Le Havre. Inland there are huge tracts of agricultural land which are not inspiring. Several rivers punctuate the landscape and these areas are attractive. Typified by the Monet Gardens at Giverny on the banks of the Seine near Vernon.

Upper Normandy Attractions
One of the big selling points is the Gastronomy of the region – lovely open air markets to sample the wide range of foods: produce from local farms (selling cider, ostrich meat, snails, Calvados, foie gras, and much more).
Water is a distinctive element – from the beaches and cliffs in the North to the rivers that meander throughout the region: rivers, with vast meadows, offering a taste of paradise to all fly-fishermen. The towns of Pont-Audemer and Bernay are surrounded by water and the ever present Seine is a feature in the Regional Nature Park.

There are visits to the archaeological gardens at Vieil-Evreux, medieval fortresses in Chateau-Gaillard, Harcourt, and centuries-old abbeys (in Bec-Hellouin, and Fontaine-Guerard). In the forests of Normandy – Lyons-la-Foret, Ferriere-sur-Risle – one can explore quaint towns and villages.

Fishing boats still land their catches at Fecamp, so that one can savour fresh seafood in the harbour-front restaurants. Further along the coast the large town of Dieppe is well worth a visit. There is plenty to see, with a good choice of shops and excellent restaurants along the quays.

Rouen, the capital of Normandy, is a delight. Its pedestrian centre allows easy access to Rouen’s history. There are walks through the historical centre, past half-timbered houses, discovering Gothic treasures like the Notre Dame Cathedral, St Ouen abbey, Saint Maclou church and the Palais de Justice or the Renaissance style monuments such as the Saint Maclou ossuary.

Monet’s Gardens
Last, but by no means least, are the beautiful Monet gardens at Giverny. The village alone is a delight to walk through but Monet’s Gardens are ablaze with colour during the summer and cannot be missed. Sample the bridge over the Lily pads. These are images that you will treasure.

Weather/Climate
Weather is similar to the South of England with distinct seasons. Perhaps slightly warmer and sunnier in the Summer! The countryside is green so it does rain.

Getting there
By road:
From Calais ferry port / Eurostar driving times are about 2 to 3 hours. You can travel by Autoroute (tolls) all the way.
By Ferry:
Upper Normandy is well served by the Ferry Ports of Dieppe and Le Havre so one can arrive in the heart of Upper Normandy from the UK. Other nearby ports include Caen, Cherboug ports to the West and Calais and Boulogne ports to the East.
By Plane:
Beauvais airport is short distance away in Picardy. One can also fly to Paris and get to Upper Normandy in less than 2 hours.

Upper Normandy Population
Just under 2 million inhabitants

Major Towns
Dieppe
Major port on the coast – lovely harbour with restaurant on the quays. Good selection of shops and monuments to visit.
Evreux
Evreux is situated on the river Iton just a 100 km from Paris. XII century cathedral with impressive stained glass windows.
Fecamp
Popular harbour town on the coast – between Le Havre and Dieppe.
Rouen
The capital of Normandy and full of history. Sited on a river, this city is well worth visiting for its architectural treasures.

Prices
(August 2006)
Property prices are affected by the proximity to Paris. Many Parisians buy weekend retreats in this region and contribute to property inflation.
Price Guideline
Apartments: 65,000 euros (Coast)
Farmhouses: 120,000 euros
Townhouses: 110,000 euros
Villa: 160,000 + euros
Land: from 10 euros per sq. m

The department is a largely wooded plateau cut by the valleys of the Seine River and its tributaries.

Why you should visit Eure for your next holiday in France: Ancient ramparts and gothic architecture combine with lush green countryside, orchards and flowing water to make this department something quite special. Visit this delightful area and see for yourself what inspired the impressionists. Plenty of things to see and do for either a long holiday or short break. The department enjoys a similar climate to the UK but its location means it is slightly milder year round. As with England, summers are warm with temperatures in the mid 20C and in the height of the season, temperatures can reach into the 30’s.

What to see in Eure

The main tourist attraction is Giverny (4 km from Vernon) where Claude Monet’s beautiful house and garden can be seen, in addition to other places of interest.
Richard the Lionheart’s ruined Château Gaillard perches above Les Andelys with superb views across the Seine.
Evreux’s cathedral is a gothic masterpiece with brilliant stained glass.
Charming Pont Audemer is on the edge of the huge Brotonne Forest.

Evreux

Evreux is the capital town of the department and is an important commercial and market center. It is one of the oldest towns in France, with many splendid sites. Evreux has a bishop and boasts a cathedral which is one of the largest and finest in France.

On the Iton river just west of the Eure, it is surrounded by postwar architecture, but offers three fabulous attractions: an excellent museum with exceptional Gallo-roman finds; a Cathedral of Notre-Dame (11th-18th C.), which managed to miss the war bombs and today still displays its flamboyant Gothic features and stained glass; and the Abbey of St Taurin (11th-15th C.) that contains the thirteenth century shrine of Saint Taurin, a masterpiece of French goldsmith’s work.

Evreux has had its fair share of historical bad luck. The town was flattened by the Vandals in the 5th century; it was pillaged by Normans in 892; taken and burned by Henry I of England in 1119 and in 1194 it was captured by Philip Augustus of France. During the 15th century, control of the town alternated between the English and French.

Evreux was badly damaged during the air raids of 1940 (when the town burned for an entire week) and also in 1944.

Another interesting fact, Jimi Hendrix kicked off his first tour with the Experience in the town of Evreux, 13 October 1966 – an event commemorated by a plaque in the town!

Bernay

Bernay, once a religious centre is today a busy market town. It is located south of Pont Audemer. The town is a major farming centre with surrounding fields full of cows. There is a small museum in the centre with a collection of paintings, furniture and ceramics.

Le Bec-Hellouin

Le Bec-Hellouin is a typical Norman style village with half timbered houses set among the orchards. Probably its most major attraction is its abbey, which was founded in 1034. The abbey was once one of the most important religious sites in northern Europe.

Pont-Audemer

A lovely market town, nicknamed “Norman Venice”, Pont Audemer is situated tothe west of Evreux. It has a town centre worth exploring on foot with a popular market held on Mondays.

Verneuil sur Avre

This delightful ancient town is located in the south west corner of the Eure department. Once heavily fortified, the ramparts now make an enjoyable walk and there are some picturesque medieval houses around the towns centre.

Vernon

The town of Vernon lies on the banks of the Seine and is an ideal base from which to explore both Les Andelys and Giverny. A popular destination, you will often find hotels fully booked and restaurants very busy.

Nonancourt

Nonancourt’s origins go back to the Roman invasion, but the town really came into its own when Henry I of England established a fortress here in the 12th century as a defence against the French to the south. The town was rebuilt in the 16th century after it was badly destroyed during the Hundred Years’ War. Although the fortress no longer exists, the little town still offers plenty of architecture from the late middle ages as well as very pretty walks along by the river Avre.

Giverny

Normandy was the birthplace of Impressionism and in Monet’s garden at Giverny it is easy to see why he wanted to capture the beauty on canvas. The garden is open from the spring to the mid-autumn and queues can get very long, but many agree it is worth the wait. Conches-en-ouche The picturesque town of Conches-en-ouche is located near the River Rouloir. There are plenty of sites to see including many beautiful medieval houses, the church of Ste-Foy whose windows are made of superb Renaissance stained glass and a ruined twelfth-century castle. In addition to everything ancient, Conches also boasts many modern sculptures that are placed around the town. The surrounding countryside is made up of lush pastures, orchards, rivers and forests, which are perfect for afternoon strolls and picnics.

Les Andelys

The hill-top Château Gaillard at Les Andelys conjures up images of days of old, where Richard the Lion heart held court (his heart is entombed in Rouen cathedral). The Château dominates any approach by land or along the Seine and is said to have been captured by brave souls coming through the sewers. It is advisable to double check opening hours with the local tourist office before making the climb.

How to get there

Holiday accommodation in Eure is easily accessible.

By air, Skysouth are the only direct airline and they fly six times a week direct from Shoreham (ESH) to Caen (CFR). Prices start at around £70 for a single trip. Alternatively, the nearest international airport is in Paris

Driving would be the common mode of transport to get to the department as Normandy is just a quick hop across the channel to either Le Hâvre or Dieppe, both conveniently located close to Eure. A couple of auto routes go to the nearby city of Rouen and from there take the N154 to Evreux.

By train, go by Eurostar from the UK to Calais and then take the TGV to Le Havre or Rouen. The train station Évreux-Embranchement is on the railway line from Gare Saint-Lazare to Cherbourg. It is served by regular Intercity and regional rail services to both Paris and Basse-Normandie.

Cherbourg has long been a centre for the French navy as well as a popular destination for yachtsmen who enjoy the challenge of the choppy seas and challenging winds often found off ‘La Manche’. The town was once the centre for transatlantic liners and its heyday saw many celebrities arrive or depart from the Gare Maritime. Now it has been transformed into the Cite de la Mer, an impressive museum dedicated to the world undersea and exhibiting the word’s largest submarine open to the public. The town also has numerous quayside restaurants and hotels as well as several colourful markets. For art lovers, the Thomas Henry Fine Arts Museum boasts a good collection of works by local artists and for visitors on the Second World War trail there is a Museum dedicated to the liberation, although the Invasion beaches are further down the coastline.

La Havre is a commercial port and its 2kms of beach open onto the Seine estuary which is great for bird watching or painting breaks. The town has a modern feel having suffered major destruction during World War II but it was rebuilt to the original plans and has a busy commercial and cultural centre. The Malraux Museum is an ultra-modern building on the sea front which has a good collection of Impressionist works together with art from other centuries. Other things of interest include the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Natural History Museum.

Although the ferry docks at the attractive seaside resort and fishing harbour of Ouistreham, there is a shuttle link plus a good bus service to Caen which is within 15 miles. Caen has historical roots dating back to William of Normandy who commissioned the building of Abbaye aux Hommes as well as the Abbaye aux Dames and this is where his wife, Mathilde, has her final resting place. Both building survived the destruction of bombardments in 1944 and although large parts of it were rebuilt it offers a good mix of old and new with various markets held daily. Most visitors head straight for the superb Le Memorial de Caen museum which not only covers all aspect of World War II but also has a good range of restaurants and several memorial gardens dedicated to the Allied troops. Opposite you will find Colline aux Oiseaux Floral Park which was once a rubbish tip but now is a 41 acre site of landscaped gardens dedicated to peace. However it is also worth visiting the Jardin Botanique as well as the city’s Fine Beaux-Arts Museum.

Creation of Normandy

It would be interesting to begin your French holidays with some knowledge of the creation of Normandy. The name Normandy actually derives from the Gaul term for ‘Northman’. Normandy began as a fiefdom created for a Viking leader called Rollo. As Rollo hailed from the North, hence the region he presided over was called Normandy. Rollo’s descendant, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy subjugated England in 1066 to become the first King of England following his victory at the Battle of Hastings.

Historical Past of Normandy

The rich history of Normandy draws numerous tourists to this spectacular region every year. The decisive Operation Overlord of World War II, which saw the mobilisation of massive numbers of Allied infantry and supplies, began the assault on France from the D-Day amphibious landings on the Calvados coast of Normandy, on 6 June 1944. The Battle of Normandy witnessed ferocious military battles for the eventual liberation of France. This crucial turning point in the war was a critical period in the historical past of Normandy.

Interesting Towns to Visit in Normandy

When you’re in Normandy during your holidays in France, visit the famous spa town, Bagnoles de l’Orne. Here you can relax and be pampered to ease away your fatigue and muscle tension or go swimming and golfing. The bourgeois villas in the town sport unique roofing, bow windows and polychrome facades.

French holidays will beckon you to visit the Mont-St-Michel, where a medieval Benedictine Abbey stands majestically on a sheer clump of rocks. The marvellous architecture of this Abbey and its unique location makes this a critical itinerary in your holidays in France.

Head on to the town of Bayeux where you can view the marvellous embroidered tapestry recounting the Battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest of England. It dates to the time of William the Conqueror.

At the town of Lassay-les-Chateaux you can visit a 15th century stone castle that is still completely standing. A little further north of this town is Domfort, which boasts narrow streets and the ruins of medieval castles.

There are 600km of Normandy coastline with beautiful beaches and sculpting cliffs.  Whether it’s sailing, canoe-kayaking, kite surfing or wind surfing, Normandy has excellent facilities around the coast.  Childen can play on the golden sand beaches.  History lovers can relive the emotional journey to the D Day landing beaches, world famous for the part it played in turning around World War 2.

About 8 kms away is the lovely village of Lonlay L’Abbaye, your destination for a peaceful conclusion to your holidays in France. This typical French village is the epitome of French holidays as you will be able to interact with the friendly local populace and enjoy the special Normandy cuisine.

Close to Home

For sheer convenience, it is hard to beat a family holiday in Normandy. It is the region of France that is closest to the UK, and a camping holiday in Normandy is only a short crossing on the ferry or Eurostar away. No epic car drives across the length of France – you can get to a campsite in Normandy in a matter of hours and the shorter the car journey, the fewer ‘are we there yet’ comments you’ll hear from the children in the back!

Great Beaches

Normandy has a glorious coastline, alternating characterful little coves with long stretches of golden sand. Most campsites in Normandy are concentrated along the coast, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a beach holiday and experience the beautiful Normandy countryside at the same time.

Superb Regional Cuisine

As any stay at a country campsite in Normandy reveals, it is a land of orchards and dairy farms, and sampling the local produce is a real highlight of camping here. Normandy produces over half of the milk and dairy produce that is consumed in France – Camembert is the most famous cheese from the region, but it also produces Neufchatel, Livarot, Pont l’Eveque and many others. From the orchards, apple based dishes and sauces dominate the cuisine, including many excellent ciders and apple brandies. Being a coastal region, the seafood is unsurprisingly very good – make sure to try a local assiette de fruits de mer while you are camping in Normandy.

Historical Sights

Normandy has more to offer than just good beaches and fine cuisine. There is some superb medieval architecture on display at the charming town of Hornfleur, which is a picturesque place for a day trip away from your Normandy campsite. At Bayeux, you can see the original Bayeux Tapestry, the spectacular linen weaving that tells the story of the 1066 Norman conquest.

The beaches of Normandy are famous for more than just being good for relaxing on; the D-Day landings in World War II signified the beginning of the serious land campaign which eventually led to Germany’s defeat. History buffs will enjoy exploring the Allied landing zones (including Omaha, Juno and Sword) and surveying the remnants of a great battle fought decades before.

Family Friendly Campsites

When many people think of camping, they imagine muddy fields, pouring rain, and the most basic of facilities, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Many of the campsites in Normandy are luxurious, with restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts, onsite shops and a host of other facilities. Normandy campsites are perfect for families, with a combination of onsite facilities, beaches and local countryside all acting as playgrounds to keep the children entertained.