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The list of must-see Normandy towns is almost endless. Amongst the top 10 that we have picked out are historic Rouen, chic Deauville and picturesque Honfleur. But perhaps you’ve never explored the delightful spa town of Bagnoles de l’Orne, or visited St Hilaire du Harcouet renowned for its beautiful Christmas nativity. For information on these Normandy towns and more, read on. And, don’t forget to click on the accommodation links for Holiday France Direct™ selection of holiday rentals in Normandy.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Rouen » |
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Rouen, the capital of Upper Normandy, is one of France’s most ancient and historic cities. Captured by the English in 1419 and then returned to French control in 1449, it saw the execution of Joan of Arc burnt for heresy in 1431. Rouen was almost entirely rebuilt following damage in WW2.
Rouen is a delightful city with an extremely medieval feel to it. |
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A good place to start a sight-seeing visit to Rouen is the place du Vieux-Marche, where a plaque and nearly 20m high cross mark where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake. A memorial church to the saint is in the square with a unique architectural style said to represent either that of an upturned boat or the flames that consumed her.
Pay a visit to the Cathedral Notre Dame and the Musee de Beaux Arts which houses one of the more prestigious collections in France. The ceramics museum offers a fantastic insight into the history of French ceramics, particularly as Rouen is famous for its ceramics production. Rouen is excellent for shopping - ceramics and antiques are particularly good and look out for shops selling les coffrets de Rouen (little hand painted wooden boxes) which were extremely popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. For chocolate lovers, Rouen offers a treat at La Chocolatière on rue Guillaume-le-Conquérant with praline-layered paillardises.
With so many more sights to discover and explore, your one complaint about Rouen may be the lack of time to visit them all.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Deauville » |
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Deauville, located on the Norman Riviera, was extremely popular with elite Parisians in the 19th century. Deauville’s chic status started when fashionable Coco Chanel opened a boutique selling avant garde pill-box and cloche hats to wealthy Edwardian visitors.
Deauvillehosts a range of events including regattas, race meetings and polo tournaments, and offers many attractions in the form of casinos, golf courses and exclusive shops. |
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Deauvillehas a stunning beach, the Plage de Deauville, which on warm days is packed with sun worshippers. Deauville is famous for its planks or planches which are long stretches of promenade decking along the fine sandy beach. |
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Caen » |
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Caen, capital and largest city of Basse Normandie, was home to William the Conqueror 900 years ago. One of Caen’s main features is a ring of ramparts and walking them gives a fantastic view of the cityand the reconstructed 14th century façade of the nearby church of St-Pierre. Its magnificent Renaissance stonework has survived intact at the church’s east end. |
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If you head through the castle walls, you can pay a visit to the former Exchequer which dates from shortly after the Norman conquest of England. It was the scene of a banquet thrown by Richard the Lionheart en route to the Crusades. The garden has been re-planted with herbs and medicinal plants grown here during the middle ages. Pay a visit too to Caen’s Musee de Normandie, which gives an overview of Norman history, right from megalithic period stone tools and glass jewellery from Gallo-Roman Rouen.
The Caen Memorial is the second most popular museum in France, after the Louvre, and a must-see for any visitor to Normandy. It is a moving, emotionally-charged museum, giving you an hour-by-hour account of D-Day. The museum also organises tours of the Landing Beaches, battlefields, and cemetaries of the Second World War.
If you are looking for shopping, then Caen has really good markets. There is a Friday market on the Fosse St-Julien, and a Sunday market at Place Courtonne. Here, you can stock up on local specialities, such as Calvados, delicious regional cheeses and the famous “tripes de Caen”
With its medieval streets, castle and museums, Caen is a superb choice for a history-filled visit .
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Normandy holiday accommodation near St Hilaire du Harcouet » |
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The area surrounding St Hilaire du Harcouet is well known for its excellent river fishing and the picturesque Lakes of Vezins and La Roche qui Boit. Unspoilt by tourism, St Hilaire du Harcouet is a place where you will be welcomed by the locals.
For nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, there is a good selection of disused railway track greenways and towpaths, which are great for rambling, biking and riding, |
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A local very special event is the Creche Vivante (where the Christmas nativity is brought to life by actors and animals) and is renowned as being one of the best in France.
The Wednesday market is a perfect opportunity to sample some local French produce, chat with the locals and spend a few Euros. Local specialities include farm produced cheeses as well as chocolate and wax products. St Hilaire du Harcouet is the perfect place to relax and unwind and soak up the local atmosphere.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Cherbourg » |
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Cherbourg is one of the most popular gateways to Normandy. Brittany Ferries sail to Cherbourg from both Poole and Portsmouth with both classic cruise and high speed services.
The Transatlantic Terminal, built in 1933 with its Art Deco style, is an architectural masterpiece, which welcomed some of the most famous transatlantic ships, such as the Queen Mary, the Queen
Elizabeth, the France and even the Titanic. |
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The " Cite de la Mer" is a huge aquarium, housed in the restored Transatlantic Terminal. Visitors can also explore an ocean diving area and a former nuclear submarine, the “Redoutable” as well as enjoy seeing the many species of fish and sea creatures.
Walk or drive to the Fort du Roule, which provides a commanding view of the port. This also houses the Musée de la Libération, commemorating D-Day and the liberation of Cherbourg in the Second World War.
If looking to do some shopping, the lively Cherbourg market is held in front of the theatre every Tuesday and Thursday morning. For those wanting to stock up, there are also several hypermarkets.
Cherbourg is a city with lots to offer as well as being one of the first ports of call on your holiday in France.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Vire » |
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Vire is worth visiting just for its gastronomy; fresh salmon trout caught from the river is a particular speciality. Visit Vire’s market on Sunday morning and pick up everything needed for Sunday lunch or try the local speciality of andouille de Vire, tripe stuffed inside the large intestine of a pig.
Popular for its low prices, a 3 course meal in a local Vire restaurant can cost as little as 15 Euros plus wine. |
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For even more good value, a day on a local golf course will set you back approximately 22 Euros (c £15).
Pay a visit to the nearby forest of Saint Sever, or take the ‘granite tour’ around the surrounding area or see the Vire Gorges.
With varied scenery and a choice of fine cuisine, a visit to Vire has plenty to offer.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Avranches » |
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Avranches is the nearest large town to Mont St Michel, and has always had close connections with the abbey. Mont St Michel’s original church was founded by a bishop of Avranches, spurred on by the Archangel Michael, who is said to have become so impatient with the lack of progress that he made a hole in the bishop’s skull – still to be seen in Avranches’ St-Gervais Basilica. Robert of Toringy, a subsequent abbot of St-Michel, played host in the town on several occasions to Henry II of England, the most memorable |
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being when Henry was obliged, barefoot and bareheaded, to do public penance for the murder of Thomas a Becket, in 1172.
During the French Revolution, all the books from Mont St Michel abbey were deposited for safekeeping in the town of Avranches. Some 30 manuscripts and ancient books illustrating the intellectual and artistic activity of the Benedictine monastery are exhibited in the superb recently renovated old library.
During WW2, Avranches was liberated by General Patton and his men on July 31st 1944. This was a breakthrough for the Allies and generated an open road straight to Paris.
Market day in Avranches is on Saturdays.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Honfleur » |
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Honfleur is often regarded as the best preserved old port in Normandy. It is an extremely picturesque seaside location, which only lacks a beach; this is due to the accumulation of silt from the River Seine causing the sea to withdraw. The port is still fully functional, however, for both pleasure craft and fishing boats that tie-up alongside the pier nearby. You can usually buy fresh fish direct from the boats or from stalls on the pier. |
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Honfleur has France’s only wooden church, St Catherine, which was built in the 15th and 16th centuries during the Hundred Years War. It overlooks a picturesque little square with small streets branching from it. Wander down these side streets and find exclusive boutiques and shops. Eating-out in Honfleur is a particular treat with numerous cafes, bars and restaurants lining the harbour. Fresh fish dishes are always popular. If you wish to sit and watch the world sail by, then take an outside seat at one of the many cafes and enjoy a glass of wine or beer.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Falaise » |
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Falaise, 40km south west of Lisieux is the birthplace of William the Conqueror. Falaise’s castle keep is situated on huge cliff rocks (falaise) that gave the town its name, and towers over the Fontaine d’Arlette down by the river. The keep was heavily damaged during World War II and it took over 50 years for it to reopen to the public. It has been very well restored and is reminiscent of the Tower of London with its cream coloured Caen stone. |
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Falaise, like many other nearby towns, was devastated during the war. The Allied armies encircled the Germans and cut off their retreat with the aim of closing the “Falaise gap” allowing a route through the area. When Canadian troops entered Falaise on August 17th, they were unable to tell where the roads had been and consequently bulldozed a new 4m wide strip straight through the middle.
Located in the Pays d’Auge region of Normandy, Falaise offers fine cheeses and ciders as well as traditional markets selling local produce.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Bagnoles de l'Orne » |
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West of Carrouges, the exclusive spa town of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne has renowned thermal baths and spa treatments. The layout of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne is airy and focuses on its lake and beautiful gardens; from here it is possible to catch horse-drawn carriages which take passengers around the lake, to surrounding areas or
on to the enormous casino.
Famed for its spa treatments, Bagnoles-de-l’Orne offers, for |
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example, hydro-massaging baths, clay body-wrapping, shiatsu and hot stones body modelling.
Bagnoles-de-l’Orne offers a variety of evening entertainment. By the lake, you will find the 1930’s casino. Alternatively, experience the Majestic dance club with theme parties, cinema, theatre and restaurant. Or if these are not your style, simply relax in one of the cafes or bars.
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Copyright: Holiday France Direct 2008 |
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