Travel to Normandy, France (2014)

The region of Normandy is located in Northern France. The area has an important historic past in that in 1944, it was where thousands of soldiers came on D-Day. It is a popular tourist location not only for the history but also for the rugged natural beauty of the Normandy coast and traditional French feel.


History of Normandy

Normandy has a very impressive history linked to the war. On June 6, 1944, thousands of D-Day soldiers roamed the beaches of Normandy and battled the Nazi army. There are now numerous cemeteries, battle sites and memorials across the region due to the impact of this famous battle.


Travelling to Normandy

There are plenty of options for travelling to Normandy. Good road networks, a railway, ferries and nearby airports make getting there easy. Ferry services run from southern UK ports to Caen, Cherbourg, Dieppe and Le Havre. Trains run from Paris to Normandy as do internal flights.


Highlights


Honfleur


The Normandy coast has some interesting towns to visit during your holiday, among which a trip to Honfleur should be among your priorities. This coastal town is located on the Seine estuary just south of Le Havre, now easily accessible by the new bridge the 'Pont de Normandie'. This elegant bridge briefly held the record as the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge.

With the large numbers of ship builders in the area wood became the obvious choice of building material. Saint Catherine’s church is the largest wooden church in France and it is lovely. Take a look inside, it has a much warmer feel to it than churches made of stone.

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Étretat


Perched midway along Normandy's Alabaster Coast, Étretat might look like a spot not worth the detour. However, its end-of-the-world site on the Atlantic coast, its spectacular stone formations famously immortalized in paint by the Impressionists, and the village itself—a Fisher-Price toy village lined with houses covered with picturesque 19th-century sculpted figural carvings—all add up to one of France's most amazing, unforgettable destinations.

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Mont Saint Michel


The Mont Saint-Michel is perhaps one of the most and ancient Christian pilgrimage sites in the Western world, with the worship of Saint Michael’s going as far back as the 8th century, and the monastery foundations in the 10th century. The monastery gave its allegiance to William the Conqueror in his claim of the English throne in the 11th century, and was rewarded with a doppelganger of sorts in Cornwall – a site known as St Michael’s Mount today. The island was repeatedly assaulted by the English during the Hundred Years War, but was never defeated. However, the French Reformation and Revolution left the monastery quite empty, and it was converted into a prison, until it was declared a historic monument in the 1800s. Today, the Mont Saint-Michel is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List and is the second most visited site in France, with over 3 million visitors every year. The best tip I can give is to get there as early as possible, as parking spaces fill up very quickly, and the island gets very, very crowded.

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Rouen

The cathedral of Rouen is arguably one of the most beautiful cathedrals in France, and subject of many of Monet's most famous works of art.
Rouen is also where, in the 15th century, Jeanne d'Arc was burnt.

Its town centre is small and very peculiar. With old buildings and pedestrian streets, it is a nice place to wander around. Take a stroll to admire the famous Gros Horloge, a huge astronomical clock dating back to the 16th Century and, in the centre of the Old Market Square stands the church of St. Joan of Arc, whose design represents the pyre on which Joan perished in 1431. There are also fine half-timbered buildings to be admired in the Old Town, which boasts a variety of first class restaurants.


Accommodation

Normandy has plenty of accommodation options that suit all budgets. These options include chateaux’s, farm houses as well as different standards of hotels. A popular accommodation option in this region is to rent a holiday home although you have to be quick to get one. Campsites are a great option if you are thinking o moving around the area to get a feel for the whole place.

Camping tip: Camping Chateau le Colombier

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Sights and Attractions

The main features in Normandy are the historic war memorials and cemeteries that offer an insight on the extremity of the war. Other popular sightseeing places to visit are the various towns in Normandy. Visit Bayeux and see the replica of the Bayeux tapestry that provides knowledge into the battles of William the Conqueror.


Shopping

Many Brits travel across to Normandy discount food and beverage products and then head back to the UK. Tourists from the UK often holiday in Normandy purely for the shopping. The flea market in Caen attracts antique enthusiasts and collectors from the whole area. There are plenty of standard high street shops as well as traditional markets and smaller unique stores all over Normandy.


Dining Choices

Normandy is the same as almost everywhere in France as far as food is concerned. The cuisine is spectacular offering a range of international dishes, fresh seafood and delicious cheeses. The wine in the region is world renowned and a must have. Try a meal that contains one of the regions famous cheeses of Camembert, Pont l’Evêque, and Liverot.