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Normandy/ Normandie
Legendary, Enchanting, Revitalising, Refreshing
Normandy is made up of five départements (counties): Calvados, Eure, Manche, Orne, Seine Maritime
The principal cities are : Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Rouen with many other cities ideal for city breaks: Alençon, Bayeux, Dieppe...
Normandy is a perfect blend of coastal and inland culture with five rich and varied counties which offer each visitor something unique. The region’s location in the Northwest of France offers three completely distinct coasts, from the spectacular Mont St Michel up through La Manche County, across the Calvados and all the way to authentic Le Tréport in the beautiful Seine-Maritime.
The sea provides a fascinating landscape along 600 km of coastline, sculpting the cliffs into natural works of art.
Inland, visitors will discover a haven of tranquility; acres of lush forests and green valleys in the rich countryside of the Orne county and traditional Norman villages still boasting original half-timbered houses along the Seine in Eure.
Glamorous, picturesque, worldly, well stocked with historical treasures and outstanding sites, its fantastic golf courses, sports activities and horse riding tours in an absolutely stunning countryside will inspire you to come back to Normandy time and time again.
For further information, visit Normandy tourist board website at http://www.normandy-tourism.org
We thank them for their collaboration.
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Food and Drink in Normandy
Meat Eaters’ Paradise Normandy’s main courses are often meat-based. Poultry is common on regional menus, including the tasty Canard à la Rouennaise using local duck from the Seine Valley but other types of meat such as veal or pork feature too, frequently cooked in cream or cider.
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Family Activities in Normandy
Normandy is one of the premiere destinations for non-stop, kid-friendly adventures. From the seaside coast to the fantastic countryside, families will discover a multitude of outdoor recreation, outstanding parks and gardens, rivers and beaches, spectacular sightseeing, historical landmarks and much more.
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Normandy Cider Route
To the East of Caen, the Cider Route is a signed tourist route which weaves its way through countryside typical of the area, linking the villages of Beuvron en Auge (classified village), Bonnebosq and Beaufour Druval via picturesque little roads.
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Haute-Cuisine in Normandy
Normandy is haute-cuisine heaven for food lovers and visitors seeking authentic culinary experiences. Famous for its dairy products, the region is also world renowned for its apples. Most restaurants in Normandy use locally sourced products.
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Horse Riding in Normandy
A discovery of Normandy would be incomplete without a mention of this region's passion for horses. Tourists are welcome to attend the numerous horse shows in Bagnoles de l’Orne or Deauville or visit the many horse breeding estates, of which the Haras du Pin and Haras de Saint Lô are the most exceptional.
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Crocodiles and Submarines in Normandy
There are also many pools centres such as the Nautilus in Lisieux, Espace Aquatique at Condé sur Noireau in the Suisse Normande or Centre Park in Verneuil sur Avre in the Eure part of Normandy. Normandy offers three special animal centres too.
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Drink in Normandy
The abundance of apples which flavour both savoury and sweet dishes also means that Normandy boasts a wide range of apple bi-products, most notably cider, poiré or Pear liquor, pommeau and calvados.
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On Your Bike in Normandy
Quiet country roads, forest tracks and dedicated cycle paths make cycling an absolute pleasure in Normandy. If you prefer not to take your own bikes with you there are many cycle hire centres throughout the region, and in some cases hotels and Chambres d’Hôtes will lend you bikes and helmets so that you can explore the local area.
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Hiking Heaven in Normandy
Rambling and hiking are popular pastimes as Normandy provides hundreds of miles of hiking and recreational trails for people to explore the countryside at leisure.
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Claude Monet in Normandy
Leader of the movement and father of modern painting, Claude Monet is perhaps one of the best known Impressionists and certainly a major character in Normandy’s artistic heritage.
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Parks and Gardens in Normandy
Normandy is a horticultural heaven and boasts an extraordinary number of parks and gardens open to the public. A wide range of garden styles are displayed, from simple cottage gardens to grand, formal schemes via walled kitchen gardens, botanical collections, subtropical plantations, landscaped “English” style gardens and authentic French Gardens.
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Normandy Art
You will truly find your own inspiration in scenery that captured the hearts of Turner, Monet, Sisley and many others in the 19th Century. The breathtaking views, the unusual pearlized light and the stunning colours remain the same today.
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Normandy for History Lovers
For history lovers Normandy truly satisfies in every way. Soak in the atmosphere created by an abundance of timbered houses and huge châteaux, set in the circuit of a glorious medieval past, follow the steps of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England, or relive the emotional journey to the D Day landing beaches and more.
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Water Sports and Fishing in Normandy
Whether it’s sailing, canoe-kayaking, kite surfing or wind surfing, Normandy has excellent facilities around the coast and inland. For those on holiday who want to take out a boat just for a few hours, there are plenty of sailing centres which hire out equipment.
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Normandy’s Greats and Gifts
Amongst Normandy’s famous sons and daughters, the intrepid adventures of William the Conqueror are uppermost. From his birthplace in Falaise to the legendary Bayeux Tapestry which recounts one of his greatest exploits, the presence of William and far reaching influences are fascinating.
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D-Day Normandy
D-Day and Operation Overload are often regarded as the most important operations of all time. The stretch of beach along the Calvados coast is world famous for the part it played in turning around World War II on the 6th June 1944, when British, Canadian and American troops broke through Nazi defences.
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Regional Natural Parks in Normandy
With four Regional Natural Parks to choose from in Normandy, you will be spoilt for choice, space and scenery. Natural environments are protected and preserved in these splendid parks, with fabulous views of forests, valleys or maritime wetlands with extensive wildlife.
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City of Caen
Today Caen is a thriving commercial and university centre; with historical roots dating back even before William of Normandy in the 11th Cwntury. He commissioned the Abbaye aux Hommes as well as the Abbaye aux Dames, built for his wife Mathilde and now her final resting place. Both buildings survived the destruction of bombardments in 1944. The city was rebuilt after the War, and present day Caen offers an appealing mix of old and new with plenty of well-maintained green spaces. Various markets are held daily.
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Seine Maritime
The Seine Maritime département/county fills the area between the Seine Valley and the Channel Coast. Dramatic cliff lines, rolling open countryside and the twists and turns of the River Seine are the main geographic features while the town of Rouen is the jewel in the crown.
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Eure
The River Eure gives its name to the county/département which lies south of the Seine and between the Auge Valley and the western outskirts of Paris.
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City of Alençon
Situated on the crossroads between the routes from Brittany to Paris and from Belgium to the Loire Valley, Alençon is an ideal stopover point for visitors travelling further afield, yet also offers much worth spending time to visit. Once known as the “Cité des Ducs”, the town boasts a fine old town hall, 15th Century church as well as the Dukes’ Palace dating from the 14th and 15th Centuries.
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City of Dieppe
Dieppe is a seaside resort where the seafront has been developed with a promenade, grassy lawns and children’s play areas. Dieppe’s streets are busy with shops and restaurants, and the weekly market brings colour and tradition to the central square. The fishing port reaches right into the town itself, explaining its reputation for seafood, in particular the marmite dieppoise, a creamy fish stew. Visitors will be spoilt for choice with the range of cafés and restaurants.
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City of Bayeux
Essentially a medieval town, whose cathedral was dedicated in 1077 by William the Conqueror, Bayeux is also home to the famous tapestry depicting William’s epic journey to England and the Battle of Hastings. Intrinsically linked with the events of June 1944, the town provided headquarters for General de Gaulle after D-Day, now a museum.
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Orne
The Orne département/county lies in the south of the region and is Normandy in its most natural state. Green fields, deep river valleys and forests abound, punctuated by fine manor houses and estates. Some of these are home to well known stud farms for this is also the land of the horse.
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City of Rouen
Rouen is the Capital of Normandy and the Seine-Maritime department. The city, also known as the ‘Ville aux cent clochers’ has preserved much of it’s historical centre which is now largely composed of pedestrian streets.
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Calvados
The Calvados département/county bears the name of its most famous spirit. The county covers much of the coastline of the D Day Landing Beaches and historic towns such as Caen, Bayeux, Honfleur and resorts of Deauville and Trouville.
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City of Cherbourg
Ideally situated as a port for both leisure craft and military ships, Cherbourg has long been a centre for the French navy as well as a popular destination with local and international yachtsmen who enjoy the choppy seas and challenging winds. The town was once also the centre for transatlantic liners and in its heyday saw many a famous celebrity arrive or depart from the Gare Maritime. Now transformed into the Cité de la Mer, an impressive museum dedicated to the world undersea and exhibiting the world’s largest submarine open to the public; this building is an architectural reminder of the town’s glamorous past.
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Manche
The Manche département/county forms the western coastline of Normandy. From the Landing Beach of Utah Beach, via the Cherbourg peninsula to the Bay of Mont St Michel, the sea has had a major influence on this part of the region.
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City of Le Havre
Le Havre is multi-facetted, as important a commercial port as it is a popular yachting destination. Its 2 km of beach open onto the Seine estuary, once the backdrop for Impressionist artists who loved the effect of light and painted many famous paintings, including Monet’s “Sunrise at Le Havre”.
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Golf in Normandy
Golfers have been flocking to Normandy for years, attracted by the accessibility of the courses as much as the accessibility of the area, sea views, verdant greenery, stunning lanscapes and a warm welcome.
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Not to be missed in Normandy
Combining in the same land the pleasures of an extraordinary coastline and those of a green and blossoming countryside, Normandy is a very fortunate region.
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The widest range of holiday accommodation in Normandy with Pierre & Vacances
Pierre & Vacances. No 1 in Normandy. From beach apartments with pools to family holiday resorts & hotels.
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Inntravel Shortbreaks
City stays and charming country hotels – ideal for a celebratory weekend away with good food & wine.
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AA Getaways- France by car
Discover beautiful Northern France by car with The AA. Take your car (by ferry or Eurotunnel) and enjoy amazin prices on a choice of hand-picked properities and chateaux in Montreuil-sur-mer, Le Touquet, Calais, Boulogne, Gosnay, St Omer, Giverny or Honfleur.
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Francophiles Exploring France
Accompanied cultural luxury coach tours to regions of France
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Belle France - Cycling & Walking
Delightful cycling and walking holidays through beautiful parts of France. Venture at your own pace.
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Great Escapes - Short Breaks
Great value short breaks - by car, ferrry our Eurostar, the choice is yours
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More Holiday Options ...
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