Saturday 7th July 2018 saw the return of the Marché Normand in Gavray. It’s an annual event and the main street in the town is closed to traffic for the whole day for some family fun. It started at 10am with dancing from a local dance group who wear traditional Normandy costumes. At 11am the…
Guided tours of the upper galleries of Coutances Cathedral can usually be booked throughout the summer. They are also offered during the school holidays. In the summer there is often a tour in English once a week. French tours are available every day in both the morning and the afternoon. The tours last around an…
Let me take you on a tour of my favourite fortified chateu in Pirou. It was originally built from wood in the 11th century on an island surrounded by three moats and five defensive gates. The stone version that stands today was built in 1146. I passed through the first three gates in quick succession….
I love the colourful beach huts at Gouville-sur-Mer; bright pops of colour nestled in the sand dunes. As you approach Gouville from the south you can see the brightly coloured roofs in the distance. They’re now symbolic of Gouville and have been a part of the landscape for around a hundred years. About a century…
The Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidered cloth measuring nearly 70 metres long and 50 cm high. It depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England. Characters include William, Duke of Normandy as well as Harold, Earl of Wessex. The conquest culminated in the Battle of Hastings in 1066 The tapestry is thought…
If you’re looking for ideas for free things to do in Normandy, look no further. This link has some great suggestions of things to do in La Manche region of Normandy. Whether you’re on a budget or want to combine some free activities with things you pay for, there are lots of free things to…
If you love seafood, then Normandy should definitely be on your bucket list. There are a good number of restaurants, shops selling fish and seafood and producers to visit. I can highly recommend Le Restaurant du Port in Granville although I’d recommend booking. When I went recently it was full by 8pm and would-be diners…
The beautiful town of Coutances in Normandy is perfect for a day of exploring. The Tourist Office have published this guide to Coutances. It’s written in English and there’s a map of the towns showing the highlights. I took these photos late one afternoon in the Normandy sunshine. The public garden is delightful – beautifully…
Regnéville is a delightful Normandy village and an important port dating from the 11th century. It sits at the mouth of the river Sienne and looks out onto a natural harbour surrounded by marshland. The first settlers in the village were Vikings who arrived by boat. The harbour enabled goods to be transported into the…
The Fromagerie Val-de-Sienne (cheese factory) produces Gavray camembert – just a few minutes away from where I live in Normandy. Camembert is Normandy’s most popular cheese. Gavray camembert has been made here for 30 years and supplies local outlets. Not all supermarkets sell it but delicatessens and local markets certainly do. The cheese is made…
Hambye Abbey is a delightful 12th century abbey just a few minutes drive from Hambye in Normandy. It was once a thriving monastery but fell into decline with the last monks leaving shortly before the French revolution. It’s set in a valley in a calm and tranquil site of natural beauty. Despite being quarried, the…
My visit to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer on a sunny February day is one of the most memorable days I’ve had. I spent the day visiting the Omaha beach area and the cemetery was my last port of call. I’d seen an aerial photo of the cemetery, I had printed out…
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