Normandy towns and villages
Coutances Tourist Office have produced a leaflet for a circular walk in Gavray. It’s number 9 in a series of 22 countryside walks in and around the Coutances area. You can download the leaflets from the website here. Alternatively, you can buy a copy in one of the tourist offices. On one side of the leaflet…
These delightful Normandy beach huts can be found in a small village called Gouville-sur-Mer. They’re so well known locally that they even appear on Google maps. They’re dotted along the coastline in a somewhat haphazard manner and stretch for around a kilometre or so. They sit high above the beach between the road and the…
If you’re looking to buy a selection of cheeses, why not take a look at this cheese shop in Granville? When I visited Au Carnaval des Fromages in Granville they kindly allowed me to take photos of their lovely shop. They’ve been cheesemongers for over 35 years and were originally based in Camembert in the…
For a real taste of Normandy life, why not visit a local market? Throughout La Manche region of Normandy markets are held every day of the week. The list below gives details for each day. The majority of markets are open in the morning from 8 or 9am and finish around 12 – 1pm. This…
For many people one of the highlights of a holiday is trying different food and drink. Whether that’s in a supermarket, at a local market or in a restaurant, it’s great fun. France is very passionate about food with local specialities being a particular favourite. Restaurants usually offer à la carte but set menus are…
The picturesque view above is one of 35 historic workshop courtyards to be found in the Normandy town of Villedieu-les-Poêles. This particular courtyard is called the Cour du Foyer (or the Furnace Courtyard) and houses the pan maker’s museum and the lace-making house. It’s one of the prettiest courtyards and is situated at the top…
The tourist Office in Coutances has just produced a leaflet if you’d like to take a self guided walk around Coutances. It’s available in French and has also been translated into English and German. Start at the tourist office and follow the map and commentary. Look above the shops and you’ll find interesting façades and…
You can find the best pizza in Gavray at Les Quat’Z’Arts which provides a takeaway service only. So you simply ring your order through and then go and collect it from the shop. Orders take around 30 minutes or so to prepare and are freshly cooked. There’s just one size of pizza and it will…
Les Délices de Camille is a small shop in Bréhal selling Normandy gourmet treats such as biscuits, jams, tea and coffee. The products are made onsite and you can taste the products and organise a visit to learn about the production process. The range of jams are made using a minimum of 65% fruit to…
The Vauban Tower on Tatihou island was built in 1694 and has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 2008. Originally a tower dating from the 16th century had been built to defend the island from English troops. In 1662 the King decided that it should be destroyed and it was therefore demolished in 1666….
Lace making and metalwork are just two of the crafts that were once practised in Villedieu-les-Poêles in Normandy. The town is most famous for copper and a number of shops today sell a wide range of copper items. Brass and pewter were also worked here. Pot makers, tanners, coppersmiths, salt merchants, lace makers, spinners, embroiders…
Coutances’ Dahlia Festival takes place in September and is usually on for the whole month. It’s an annual event and has been celebrated over 25 times. It takes place in the agricultural college (the lycée agricole) where students wanting an agricultural or horticultural profession study. Throughout the year the college also runs a garden centre with…
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