Normandy towns and villages
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…
There’s a church in practically every village but there’s something special about the Sainte-Mère-Église church in Normandy. It was built in the 11th century in the Romanesque style and completed four centuries later in the Gothic style. It’s topped by a saddleback bell tower and gained a place in history on D-Day as one of…
Being a tourist for a day in Caen is a great way to get an overview of this picturesque city. It combines history with fine dining and high quality shopping. Caen’s Most Famous Resident Once upon a time a young man called William made Caen in Normandy his main place of residence. However, he wasn’t…
If you’re coming to La Manche region of Normandy, I can highly recommend a day out in Coutances. It’s only 20 minutes away from the gite so it’s somewhere I go fairly often but it doesn’t fail to disappoint. The imposing cathedral dominates the skyline as you drive in to the town. And close up,…
My favourite boulangerie in Gavray? It’s a difficult choice! Feeling peckish? Sunday is a very busy day for bakers as they do a roaring trade. It’s a day for people to spend time with family or friends while enjoy good food and wine. In Gavray, there are 3 boulangeries and they were all open this…
Barfleur is one of six Normandy villages to have been awarded the status of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’. It is currently the only village in La Manche region to have received this honour. There’s a very strict process before a village is even considered. Only 20% of all applications are accepted to ensure…
The Phare de Gatteville is a Normandy lighthouse at the tip of Barfleur and is the second tallest lighthouse in France. Strong currents and numerous shipwrecks in the area prompted this Normandy lighthouse to be built. The original version of the lighthouse was built in 1774. It can be seen on the left of the larger…
The Haras National de Saint-Lô in Normandy is a horse stud farm set just outside the centre of the town. Built in 1806, the magnificent stables have a very distinctive and rather elegant exterior. The majority of the stables were destroyed during the bombings which St Lô endured during the second world war. Around 95%…
What are the key things to see and do in Rouen? The city is known for its Notre Dame cathedral, with a Tour de Beurre (butter tower) The cathedral’s gothic façade that was completed in the 1500s was the subject of a series of paintings by Claude Monet. The Gros Horloge is an astronomical clock…
The Hotel de la Gare restaurant in Gavray is a charming family-run concern. Located in the main high street there is plenty of free parking and a warm welcome awaits you. As the owners have young children they are closed over the weekend apart from Saturday lunchtime which is market day in Gavray. The bonus…
When the weather is getting warmer, it’s the perfect time to enjoy some time rock pooling. It’s a great activity for children so very family-friendly. This activity will allow children to explore the sea life creatures living in the rock pools as the tide recedes. The rock pools in the photos are in Granville in…
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