Normandy
Neither bland adulator nor too sincere talker.
And try sometimes to answer like a Norman.
the Norman hole,
with a glass of brandy that threw fire into the bodies and madness into the heads.
Between sea and countryside, Normandy boasts an exceptionally rich heritage.
From the majestic cliffs of Étretat to the emblematic D-Day beaches, not forgetting Mont-Saint-Michel, each site tells a part of French history.
The green landscapes of the Normandy bocage, the charming half-timbered villages and the vast beaches of the Côte Fleurie offer an enchanting setting for visitors in search of escape.
A land of art and architecture, the region is also home to treasures such as Rouen Cathedral and Caen Castle.
It was also in Normandy that Impressionism was born, inspired by the changing light of the Seine and the coastline, giving rise to the masterpieces of Monet and many other artists.
Famous for its gastronomy, Normandy also seduces with its local specialities, from camembert to cider and seafood. An ideal destination for nature, culture and living traditions.
Normandy, between sea and countryside
A veritable mosaic of landscapes, Normandy’s charm lies in the diversity of its natural spaces. The coastline offers spectacular panoramas, with the vertiginous cliffs of Étretat, the wild beaches of the Cotentin and the immense stretches of sand of the Côte Fleurie.
Inland, the valleys of the Orne and Seine rivers, as well as the bocage meadows, provide peaceful backdrops for hiking and cycling.
Nature lovers will also appreciate the Bessin marshes and the Boucles de la Seine Regional Nature Park, true refuges for local flora and fauna.
Between land and sea, Normandy is an ideal destination for lovers of wide open spaces and unspoilt nature.
An exceptional architectural heritage
Steeped in history, Normandy boasts a remarkable architectural heritage that bears witness to its medieval past and its key role in French history.
Rouen, nicknamed the city of a hundred steeples, boasts a sumptuous cathedral and timber-framed houses. Caen, founded by William the Conqueror, is home to the majestic ducal castle and its famous abbeys. The Bayeux tapestry, an 11th-century masterpiece, recounts the Norman epic in exceptional detail. The coastline also bears the traces of history, with vestiges of the D-Day landings such as the artificial port of Arromanches and the Longues-sur-Mer battery.
Finally, it’s impossible to talk about Normandy without mentioning Mont-Saint-Michel, an architectural masterpiece dominating the bay.
A land of flavours
Gourmet and authentic, Normandy is a region where gastronomy plays a central role.
Known the world over, the Normandy trilogy of camembert, cider and calvados reflects the region’s culinary identity. Cheese lovers will also appreciate livarot, pont-l’évêque and neufchâtel, while seafood, such as oysters from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and scallops from Dieppe, will delight the finest palates.
On the sweet side, tarte normande, Caen shortbread and Isigny caramel are all must-tries.
With its authentic markets, cider farms and Michelin-starred restaurants, Normandy is a destination of choice for epicureans in search of local flavors.
The cradle of Impressionism
Normandy is inextricably linked with Impressionism, an artistic movement born in the 19th century that revolutionized painting. This region, with its varied landscapes, changing light and unique atmospheres, had a profound effect on the greatest painters of the period. Claude Monet, an emblematic figure of the movement, found unparalleled inspiration in the gardens of his home in Giverny. It was here that he created his most famous works, notably the Water Lilies series. Today, the Gardens of Giverny are a must-see for art and nature enthusiasts, allowing visitors to discover the scenes that fascinated the artist, such as the famous Japanese bridge or the flower-lined ponds.
But there’s more to Normandy than Giverny. The landscapes of the Seine and the cliffs of Étretat were also immortalized by the Impressionists. Far from the big cities, they captured the particular light of the sea and countryside, creating ephemeral atmospheres that depend on the time of day and the weather. In Honfleur, another mythical place, many artists, including Eugène Boudin, left a deep imprint. The harbor, the quays and the soft light of the sea inspired poetic maritime scenes that became strikingly modern canvases for their time.