Where to eat out, where to buy food, local specialities and market days.
Introduction Think of France and you immediately think of food and drink. It’s famous for wine, cheese, crispy baguettes, thin crêpes, pâtisserie, fôie gras, and crème brûlée amongst others. There are Normandy specialities to be enjoyed thanks, in part, to its proximity to the sea and its agricultural heritage. Dairy The black and white Normandy…
Buying organic food in Normandy is becoming easier as the number of outlets stocking it increases. In the last 10 years organic food has become more mainstream in Normandy. So, where can you find organic products? Firstly, you need to know that the word for organic is ‘bio’. Anything you see with this word on…
National Croissant Day is celebrated every year in both the UK and USA. It’s been held on 30th January in 2020 and 2021. A croissant is quintessentially French so let’s find out if the day celebrated in France. The History The origins of the humble croissant seem to vary depending on which story you read….
A Chinese restaurant in Normandy may not seem very French but with the start of the Chinese New Year approaching then why not? The popularity of eating at a Chinese restaurant in Normandy is increasing. Ten years ago it was a relatively new concept. And while there aren’t as many Chinese restaurants as in the…
Let me introduce you to galette des rois. This pastry celebration cake is a tradition that goes back around 300 years. It’s eaten throughout France although there are regional differences in the recipes used. In some parts of France the cake is made of either sweetcrust pastry or brioche. In Normandy and other parts of…
The bread and wine make the perfect accompaniment to Normandy cheese! There are four Normandy cheeses produced in the region – Camembert, Livarot, Pont l’Evêque and Neufchâtel. Camembert takes its name from the village in Calvados where it was first produced. The methods used to produce Camembert haven’t changed much over the centuries. Artisan Camembert…
The photo below is taken in a Gavray boulangerie. This is part of the cake counter and they also sell lots more delicious French goodies. So, what’s the difference between a boulangerie and a pâtisserie? A boulangerie is a bakery and they sell bread. On the other hand a pâtisserie specialises in pastry items. This…
Following a Normandy cider trail is really easy with an app you can download on your phone. The app has been developed by the Clos du Cotentin Tourist Office. It covers a 60km route in the Cotentin which is an area in the north of La Manche region. The towns of Valognes and Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte are…
A recent find for a great restaurant to recommend to guests is La Verte Campagne in Trelly. It’s only a ten minute drive away from the gite so very convenient and food is wonderful. The Trelly restaurant is run by an British couple. On offer is traditional French fare in a very picturesque setting. In…
Where’s the best place for pancakes in Normandy? This is the question news organisation, Côté Manche, asked their Facebook fans. Here’s their pick of the best places in and around Coutances. If you want a relatively quick and informal meal then finding a crêperie is a safe bet. Both savoury and sweet pancakes will be…
The Gavray market happens every Saturday morning from around 8.30am – 1pm. It’s not a huge market but is very much a focal point for residents. It’s a great event for visitors to really experience rural village life. The majority of stalls are in the square near to the church. They are predominantly fruit and…
To celebrate World Chocolate Day let’s visit a Normandy chocolatier. In Granville there are two outlets for Yver Chocolatier who make exquisite chocolate creations for every occasion. In the centre of Granville is the shop À La Marquise de Presles. It’s at 26 rue Lecampion. This is one of their chocolate counters. They also make…
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