ExpatSymphonie: Normandy

Let's go now to the North West of France : Normandy.
What to see ? what to eat and drink ? what to do ? Let's go !

Whether you come for a weekend or a longer stay, whether you would like to go to the sea or to the countryside, how about taking a break in Normandy.

A place of history, culture and traditions
"A place of history, culture and traditions, Normandy offers many delights to visitors in search of authenticity and natural beauty. Peaceful and unspoilt, its wonderful lands offer an incredibly diverse landscape, ranging from the forests, hedged farmland and rustic meadows of its green countryside to the majestic white cliffs of the Alabaster Coast, through the famous Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, the meanders of the Seine Valley, Swiss Normandy and the Cotentin and Bessin marshes. As well as being a top destination for leisure and relaxation and a true haven of peace, Normandy has managed to preserve an important cultural, architectural heritage."
This region is also a land of history.
"The fiefdom of William the Conqueror and the site of the D-Day landings in 1944, Normandy nowadays has an impressive number of major sites that attract visitors all year round, starting with the very famous Mont Saint-Michel and its prestigious Benedictine abbey, the iconic Château-Gaillard, the Gothic cathedral of Coutances, the medieval city of Bayeux, the Cities of Art and History of Caen and Rouen, the chic resorts of Deauville and Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, the magnificent gardens of Monet, the charming village of Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei or the elegant Carrouges Castle.

However, Normandy also offers a journey through the history of the Second World War, through the D-Day beaches, Le Hoc headland, the Caen Memorial and the many museums devoted to this period.

Finally, charming places like Étretat, Fécamp or Honfleur, which won over the Impressionists in the 19th century, are still just as appealing as ever."

What to eat? What to drink?

"Seafood, salt marsh lamb, cider, Pommeau and perry, teurgoule, dairy products from Isigny and cheeses from Pays d'Auge are among the treats in store for visitors' taste buds!"

Activities - What to do?
Discover the Vikings in Normandy/D Day landings story for children and adults in Courseulle sur Mer, take some cookery lessons at La Maison du Chef Normand in St Philibert des Champs, enjoy a sailing trip, spend half a day on the cheese route in Caen, enjoy a canoe-kayak tour in the heart of the Swiss Normandy in le Hom.
Visit companies like the Manufacture of Cherbourg's umbrellas, a Calvados distillery in the Breuil Castle in Breuil-en-Auge (for adults only, legal age depending on your country of residence), the Bénédictine Palace with its famous Bénédictine liqueur.(maybe, the same rules as for the Calvados distillery), the Havre harbour, a bell foundry.