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Normandy has an impressive list of visits including world-renowned Mont St Michel and the Bayeux Tapestry. Amongst others, we have picked out Pegasus Bridge for its WWII significance, the cheese and cider route at the heart of the Pays d’Auge’s economy plus beautiful Lisieux Basilica visited by pilgrims from around the globe. If you’re thinking of taking a Normandy holiday, click on the accommodation links to see Holiday France Direct’s selection of holiday rentals in Normandy.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Mont St Michel » |
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Mont St Michel is situated on a rocky islet in the middle of a vast bay which sees the some of the largest tides in Europe.
At the top of Mont St Michel is a Benedictine Abbey dedicated to the Archangel St Michael. Built between the 11th and 16th centuries, the Abbey is a technical and artistic inspiration. Surrounded by a village, the narrow main street is lined with houses, gift shops, restaurants and a selection of museums. Accessible during all tide states, Mont St Michel makes for a superb visit. |
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Take a walk along the ramparts or climb up the many steps to the highest point of the Abbey for stunning views across the flat expanses of the bay, as well as the spectacle of the sea rushing in at high tide. The incoming tide is said to come in as fast as galloping horses.
Mont St Michel is an extremely popular visit. High tide times are well indicated in the large car park, areas of which can be covered at high tide. Also popular are walks across the bay, which should only be undertaken as part of an organised group visit with an experienced guide.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Bayeux » |
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The Bayeux Tapestry is displayed in an 18th century seminary, the Centre Guillaume on rue de Nesmond in Bayeux. It is a wool embroidery detailing the story of William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings in 1066, also known as the Norman invasion. William invaded England when a promise of his kingship of England was broken.
The Bayeux Tapestry is made up of 58 embroidered scenes and is approximately 280 long and 2 feet high. |
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Created around 9 centuries ago it remains in fantastic condition for its age. Unfortunately, the final panels of the tapestry are missing and have been since the French Revolution.
The admission fee to the Bayeux Tapestry includes a portable audio unit that provides a panel-by-panel description of the story as it unfolds.
A visit to Bayeux is highly recommended to also see the beautiful Cathedrale Notre Dame, the WWII museum and the lovely choice of shops.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Villedieu-les-Poeles » |
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Villedieu-les-Poeles literally means “God’s Town of Frying Pans” and is a lively touristy place situated 28km west of Vire. Villedieu-les-Poeles’s name comes from from its copper workshops and today you can browse in the town’s shops with copperware and souvenirs. Additionally, there is the Fonderie de Cloches at 13 rue du Pont-Chignon, one of 12 remaining bell foundries in Europe.
Whilst visiting Villedieu-les-Poeles why not also take a look at |
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the copper and lace museums, the pewter museum and the fine 15th century church. Or simply seek out the coppersmiths and watch them at work.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Pegasus Bridge » |
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Pegasus Bridge is the name of the bridge that crosses the Caen Canal and was a crucial Allied objective. On the night before D-Day June 6th 1944, it was the target of a daring glider assault just after midnight. The original bridge was replaced in 1994, and is now the main focus of the Memorial Pegasus to the east of the site. This museum has a display of helmets, goggles and medals as well as a selection of model bridges used to plan the successful attack. |
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The nearby Gondree Cafe was used as an aid post. The cafe owner, Monsieur Gondree, dug up his hidden supply of champagne which he had buried in his garden to safeguard it, and gladly shared it with his liberators.
Today, Gondree Cafe has become the first stop on many visitors’ tour to Pegasus Bridge. Still owned by the Gondree family and still a cafe, the inside is a living museum.
If you are looking for an insight into a crucial World War Two site, then a visit to Pegasus Bridge should definitely be on your list.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near the Pays d'Auge » |
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In the Pays d’Auge, you will find both a Route du Fromage and a Route du Cidre (cheese and cider routes), taking in locally produced but widely known cheeses, such as Camembert, Pont L’Eveque and Livarot. The area also produces the famous Calvados brandy as well as cider. A number of farms along the routes have signposts outside advertising Cru de Camembert, where cider and Calvados can be sampled and bought. |
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Maps are available throughout the routes to to help you source some of the best cheeses and ciders available.
Whilst in the Pays d’Auge, pay a visit to Vimoutiers and its cheese museum, or visit the nearby village of Camembert where Marie Harel developed the original cheese early in the 19th century. Vimoutiers also has a market on Monday afternoons and Fridays.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Swiss Normandy » |
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Swiss Normandy is an area of Normandy that includes the Orne and Calvados districts, south of the River Seine. Its name comes from the River Orne that flows across the area, making deep gorges and cliffs and so creating spectacular rocky landscapes.
The main towns in Suisse Normandy are Thury-Harcourt, Clecy and Pont d'Ouilly. Nearby, Falaise, birthplace of William the Conqueror, makes for an interesting visit too.
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A holiday in Swiss Normandy would not be complete without trying the area’s activities and sports. You could try boating or fishing on the many lakes and rivers, whilst canoeing and kayaking are also extremely popular. If you want to stay away from the water why not have a hike across the lovely Swiss Normandy landscape, climb up into the hills or even parasail from one of the many high outcrops. Alternatively, tennis and golf are readily available in Swiss Normandy too.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Colville sur Mer» |
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Situated near Omaha Beach the sheer scale of the 172 acre WWII American Cemetery at Colville-sur-Mer is simply awe inspiring. Of the 9387 graves, 307 are unknowns, 3 are Medal of Honour winners and 4 are women. There are 33 pairs of brothers buried side by side.
The main part of Colville-sur-Mer’s Cemetery is rectangular with the main paths set out in the pattern of a Latin cross. |
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When you enter the Cemetery, you may wish to go to the Visitors Building where veterans can sign the Veterans Book, and all others the main Visitors Book. Here, you can also trace US servicemen and women who are in the care of the AMBC (American Battle Monuments Commission) either in cemeteries or on memorials.
The main feature of the Memorial is a 22 foot bronze statue "The Spirit of American Youth Rising From the Waves". On either side, large wall maps show the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) campaign.
Behind the statue is the Garden of the Missing which commemorates a further 1,557 military personnel who died in Normandy and have no known grave. Those whose remains have been found since the war are indicated with an asterisk. The servicemen commemorated here represent all but one of the 50 States.
From here, enter the main part of Colville-sur-Mer’s cemetery and follow the path to the Chapel built from limestone. The main inscription inside reads "I Give Unto Them Eternal Life and They Shall Never Perish".
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Normandy holiday accommodation near the Ludiver Planetarium » |
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The Ludiver Planetarium-Observatory is the only one of its kind in Europe. It was built to share the fascinating world of astronomy to all.
The Ludiver Planetarium complex offers the following:
A space museum centre which retraces the Big Bang. The space museum centre takes visitors on a journey to faraway galaxies and helps you discover our own solar system.
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The sun can be observed through a special telescope.
Science links up with the imaginary in a fresco accompanied by a sound and light show taking visitors on a tour of the moon.
Discover 2 hemispheres, each 3 metres wide, representing Planet Earth, showing its surface and different internal layers.
Travel through the history of astronomy in the astronomy gallery, where Galileo appears surrounded by observation instruments.
The Observatory also shows how satellites link the Earth with space and reveals the secrets of a meteorological station. Also see a slide show of the most beautiful photos of the sky.
The Ludiver Planetarium has seating for 96 with a selection of shows during which millions of stars and constellations can be admired. The position and movements of planets and satellites can also be observed.
The powerful astronomic observatory is equipped with a 600mm computerised telescope and enables the observer to watch the sky's movements 'live' or recorded on giant sundials.
The spectacle of the Ludiver planetarium should keep you entertained and enthralled all day. Situated close to Cherbourg, why not take a crossing with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth or Poole and rent holiday accommodation with Holiday France Direct.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near the Cite de la Mer » |
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La Cite de la Mer in Cherbourg is a large complex incorporating an aquarium, the history of underwater exploration and a visit to a de-commissioned nuclear submarine.
“Le Redoutable” is the largest submarine in the world open for public viewing. The fascinating audio-guided visit takes 45 minutes and is the climax to the underwater exploration display. |
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Cite de la Mer houses the largest aquarium in Europe containing 500,000 litres of seawater.
The construction of La Cite de la Mer is partly new and partly a renovation of Cherbourg's famous Gare Maritime Transatlantique (Transatlantic Rail Terminal). Within walking distance of the ferry port in Cherbourg, you could include La Cite de la Mer as part of a short break in Normandy. Click on the link above for Holiday France Direct’s selection of holiday properties near Cite de la Mer, Cherbourg.
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Normandy holiday accommodation near Lisieux » |
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Lisieux is situated near the city of Caen and is the main town of the Pays d’Auge region. It is the perfect place to sample some of the region’s famous cheeses, accompanied by local cider. To buy some of Pay d’Auge’s finest produce, visit Lisieux’s market held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Many people visit Lisieuxas part of a pilgrimage to revereSt Therese de Lisieux, a Roman Catholic nun canonized as a saint and recognized as a Doctor of the Church, meaning her teachings are widely acknowledged and followed. St Therese de Lisieux is considered one of the most influential French spiritual figures of the last hundred years. |
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She is honoured by the 45m high Basilica completed in 1954. The Basilica is located to the south west of the town centre. You can admirethe beautiful mosaics or take the road train to Lisieux’s holiest sites which include the Cathedral St-Pierre.
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Copyright: Holiday France Direct 2008 |
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