What’s Normandy’s Most Popular Cheese?

ByChris Robinson 07/05/201815/12/2021

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 by hand with the milk mixture being ladled into moulds before being turned several time until the skin forms. It is left to mature for a minimum of 14 days. The cheese carries the appellation d’origine protégée (AOP) certificate. This means that the camembert can only be made with milk from Normandy cows who must have grazed on Normandy grass for a minimum of 6 months.

You can see an interview (in French) with the owner and see how it’s made. Your only decision is how to eat it – hot, cold, on its own or with an accompaniment. Yum!

Heritage | What to see and do in Normandy

The Abbey Near Gavray

ByChris Robinson 27/01/201914/12/2021

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…

Heritage | Towns and villages

Longues sur Mer Abbey in Normandy

ByChris Robinson 10/07/201906/01/2022

Introduction In the quiet village of Longues sur Mer is a beautiful Benedictine abbey dating from the 12th century. The Abbaye de Longues or Abbaye Saint-Marie is nestled on the road leading to Bayeux. Although it’s not far from the Omaha and Gold D-Day landing beaches it wasn’t bombed during the Battle of Normandy. It…

Bayeux | What to see and do in Normandy

Take A Guided Tour of Bayeux Cathedral

ByChris Robinson 16/01/201815/12/2021

The cathedral at Bayeux is simply stunning. If you want to take a tour you can join a paid visit via the tourist office, wander round for free on your own or purchase an information guide from the tourist office. Information about the tours are available here http://bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com/en/visiteguidee/the-cathedral-of-bayeux/ The information guide is by François Neveux and…

Heritage | Towns and villages

My Favourite Fortified Chateau in Pirou

ByChris Robinson 25/06/201810/01/2022

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….

Normandy

Elizabeth Castle in Jersey

ByChris Robinson 08/11/201929/12/2021

The Elizabeth Castle in Jersey is on a small island about half a mile from the St Helier coast. It is connected to the mainland at low tide by a causeway. If there’s a tide high or you don’t want to walk, you can take the ferry. The ferry is an amphibious craft which means…

D-Day | Towns and villages

Normandy’s Arromanches D Day Garden

ByChris Robinson 17/07/201925/07/2022

The recently installed Arromanches D Day garden pays tribute to the veterans of the Battle of Normandy. The garden is known as D-Day 75 Garden and was first exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Garden Show in May 2019. It was officially opened at its new permanent site in Arromanches on the 75th anniversary of D-Day….