Normandy and the D-Day Beaches
Normandy is a lush pastoral region known for its cows and cider. Its modern claim to fame is the D-Day invasion beaches of 6 June 1944. The area has many picturesque villages with timber-framed houses. Bayeux, Giverny and Mont St. Michel are well known names.
Spend some time exploring the area and trying the local cheeses, cider and Calvados (apple brandy).
Monet's Garden, Giverny |
Rouen. Capital of Upper Normandy and a major port. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake here in 1431. The cathedral was painted by Monet in a series of paintings. The old part of the city has been restored. Market day is on a Friday.
Giverny is the home, studio and garden of the painter, Claude Monet, who lived here from 1883 until his death. He painted his huge water lily canvases here. It is open to the public.
Lisieux. Thérèse Martin was born in Alençon in 1873. She joined the Carmelite Convent in Liseux aged 15 after a pilgrimage to Rome. She died in 1897 after a painful illness and was canonised in 1925. Ste Thérèse draws many pilgrims to this town and it is possible to see where she lived as a child.
Mont St Michel. A village and fortified abbey on a granite island, which is cut off at high tide. The abbey buildings date back to 11th century and the narrow, picturesque Grande Rue leads up to it. It is now a World Heritage Site.
Honfleur. A charming little port on the Seine estuary, with a Saturday market. The fishing fleet unloads fresh fish and shellfish daily. Samuel de Champlain set sail from here in 1608 and founded Quebec. Many artists have lived in or visited Honfleur.
Fécamp. Known today as a fishing village it contains the ruins of a Benedictine monastery. The town where Bénédictine is made from 27 plants and spices.
Are you thinking of combining London and Paris? Christophe Burtaire works as a driver-guide in Paris.
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