Reasons to Visit Normandy

Many who holiday at Normandy Farmhouses La Germainiere do so because of its tranquil location, with a few shops, restaurants and beaches just a short distance away, and the pool, large gardens and house grounds being where they most want to spend their holiday. If however, you do wish to do more exploring, there is plenty to do in Normandy. Here are some of the best reasons to visit Normandy.

TO EXPLORE THE COAST

The coastlines local to the farmhouse are stunning; golden sandy beaches with rolling dunes that go on for miles upon miles.

VISIT CAEN

Caen is a vibrant city with good quality shops and plenty of dining options. Meander through the city streets soaking up a mix of history and semi-modern French lifestyle. The architecture is beautiful and as you explore you can discover the influence a famous resident, William the Conqueror, once had on the area. Highlights of sites to see include a castle, two abbeys, many historical buildings, museums, and there are plenty of green areas to stop and rest or grab a drink or snack to go, or indeed, enjoy one or two of a vast choice of places to eat or drink in.

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN FOOD FOR THE AREA

One of the most enjoyable reasons to visit Normandy is tasting many local specialty foods and drinks. Normandy is well known for its dairy farming, with native breed cattle and luscious grasslands working together to curate wonderful quality milk, later being made into cheese, butter, cream and caramels, and not to forget the amazing seafood that is readily available almost anywhere you go in the area. The nearby coastline ensures a plentiful supply of fish and shellfish, our favourites being the local oysters, mussels and razor clams. Normandy is adorned with many ancient apple orchards, so trying an array of apple-based drinks is not to be missed. There is a sparkling apple drink indicative of the area's terroir, with Calvados (an apple brandy), cider and pure apple juice being widely available alongside pastries such as apple tarts from many independent producers and bakeries.

DISCOVER AN ABBEY

An abbey is defined as a monastery or convent, which is either composed of monks or nuns who have withdrawn from society to live a life of poverty and chastity. An abbot or an abbess would be in charge. The cloister is usually at the centre of the building with all other rooms and buildings able to be accessed from it. Some of the most notable ones include Mont Saint-Michel, Abbaye aux Dames and Abbaye aux Hommes in Caen, Abbaye de Jumièges near Rouen, Abbaye de Saint-Wandrille in the Seine Valley, Abbaye de Saint-Vigor, Cerisy-la-Forêt  in La Manche), Abbaye de la Lucerne in La Lucerne-d’Outremer in Manche, Abbaye de Hambye located in the nearby village of Hambye.

ENJOY SOME FRIENDLY FAMILY EXPERIENCES

Normandy is very welcoming to families and has lots to offer in terms of keeping children of all ages entertained. Older children can enjoy sightseeing, exploring many forests dotted around the area, theme parks and watersports such as kayaking. Younger children can enjoy time on the beach and in the shallow waters, miniature railways, zoos, and soft play areas.

VISIT MONT SAINT-MICHEL

A visit to Mont Saint Michel should definitely be on your Normandy bucket list. It’s a rocky island commune topped with a 13th century Gothic abbey. Discover 13 centuries of history and restoration at this UNESCO World Heritage site. The iconic abbey is perched on top of an island, it is a magical site to behold - an absolute must-see for visitors to Normandy.

WALK AND CYCLE

Normandy has a large network of well-maintained and signposted paths making it a great location for a walking holiday. Whether along the coast, through the countryside or around the cities, there is plenty of scope for long treks should you wish. You can find plenty of walking routes and maps in the house info book. If cycling is more your thing, there is an abundance of cycling routes throughout the region, with lots of establishments to rent bikes and e bikes from as well.

VISIT A D-DAY SITE

There are five D-Day beaches to visit, along with many memorials, monuments, museums and cemeteries that are available to visit all year. The D-Day Festival is a 2 week-long festival of interesting activities falling around the 6th June to commemorate the anniversary.

VISIT A CHATEAU

A château can be three things. A large medieval building that has been fortified against an attack, possibly with towers or a moat. It can also be an imposing old mansion, or somewhere where a king or a lord lived. This explains how chateaux come in many styles, shapes and sizes. Some of the more well known and impressive Normandy châteaux in Calvados include: Falaise, Caen, Fontaine-Henry, Creully and Balleroy. In Manche there is Gratot near Coutances, Hôtel de Beaumont in Valognes, Pirou and Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte. Domfront and Carrouges castles are in the Orne department. And finally Upper Normandy castles include the châteaux Gaillon, Beaumesnil, Dieppe and Taillis.

MARVEL AT THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY

The Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidered cloth measuring nearly 70 metres long and depicts the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England. The conquest culminated in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The tapestry is thought to date from the 11th century and was originally hung in Bayeux Cathedral. It is now displayed in the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux. The 58 scenes are embroidered on linen with coloured woollen yarns and Latin descriptions. Each scene is made up of nine linen panels sewn together after each was embroidered and the joins were disguised with subsequent embroidery.

ENJOY THE COUNTRYSIDE

Normandy is a largely agricultural region but due to the terrain it still retains very much a landscape of small fields surrounded by hedges with areas of woodland and marshland. This makes it ideal for spotting wildlife or for exploring one of the four regional parks. From large mammals such as wild boar and red deer to stunning spring wildflowers there is always something for the wildlife enthusiast to discover. The unspoilt countryside is a wonderful place to walk with your dog. At La Germainiere we welcome one or two well-behaved dogs to holiday with you if you wish to bring them along.