In June 2019 I went on a guided tour in Roncey, a small Normandy village in La Manche region. The tour was part of the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. For over an hour we heard the story of how Roncey was liberated on 29th July 1944, the destruction the village endured and…
A number of my guests have brought their bikes to Normandy to enjoy some cycling. Normandy has 1600km of véloroutes (cycle routes) giving you cycling itineraries via traditional cycle paths or secure roads with little traffic. The cycle routes are designated by special signposts. 700km of these routes are greenways (or voie vertes in French)….
Finding vegetarian dining options can be a little challenging in Normandy. However, it’s much easier if you know where to go. The region is a big seafood producer so if you’re a pescatarian rather than vegetarian, you’ll have no problem. It is, however, also famous for wonderful dairy products such as cheese, butter and cream….
If you’re looking for Normandy brunch spot, then read on. These three places were featured in a Côté Manche article. Brunch is becoming more popular here in Normandy but isn’t as readily available as in the USA or the UK. Many restaurants in France open at lunchtime from 12 – 2pm and then again at…
If I had to choose my top 3 Omaha Beach places to visit I’d opt for La Pointe du Hoc, the Normandy American Cemetery and Les Braves. I visited these 3 Omaha Beach spots in February 2018 on a chilly but sunny day. I wanted blue sky for the photos I was going to take…
There are a number of memorials on Sword Beach stretching from Ouistreham in the East to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer in the West. This British memorial on Sword Beach is dedicated to the following commando units of the 1st Special Service Brigade: No. 3 Commando – Lieutenant Colonel Peter YoungNo. 4 Commando – Lieutenant Colonel Robert Dawson177 French…
The Normandy village of Blainville-sur-Mer enjoys an enviable position on the Cotentin coast. It is fortunate to have a natural harbour giving fantastic views. Coutances Tourist Office has produced a map of a walking circuit you can do to explore the village. You can download a copy here. The walk is around 17km although you…
Mont-Saint-Michel at high tide is an incredible sight. The island becomes cuts off from the mainland giving you plenty of time to explore while waiting for the tide to recede. The video below was filmed from a drone and shows the island’s setting. It really does seem to rise majestically from the bay. It’s also…
My guests often ask for recommendations of where to eat in Gavray. Most restaurants are open for lunch (12 – 2pm) and then again in the evening from 7pm. You need to call during opening hours to book a table and the concept of online booking is still in its infancy here in Normandy. There…
Granville’s carnival takes place in February or March each year. It’s an annual event that lasts for five days and always finishes on the Tuesday of Mardi Gras. For details of the programme, and to find out the dates, you can check out the website here. The first year carnival took place in 1875 in…
For inspiration of what to do in Villedieu-les-Poeles, visitors can take a look at the latest tourist guide. It’s produced in English and French and includes a map of the town to help you to plan your trip. A new version is printed each year to make sure it includes up-to-date information. Villedieu is an…
The Normandy coastline offers plenty of varied activities. Coastal towns and villages, harbours, sandy beaches, fantastic sunrises and sunsets, beach huts and seafood are just some of the highlights. Granville Granville is one of my favourite coastal towns. It’s set on a rocky promontory and has two distinct parts. The harbour is a wonderful spot…
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