French
Holiday Cottage Normandy - Discovering Normandy
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Travelling to
Normandy
With its spectacular cliffs, beautiful beaches and scenic villages
Normandy is a popular destination with those visiting France. There
are a number of options available when travelling to Normandy. Journeying
here is possible by car, ferry, air or rail, giving travellers the
flexibility to choose the option they find most convenient.
A car is very useful when holidaying in Normandy as it allows visitors
to see the most of this scenic and interesting region. As a result
many visitors opt to travel by ferry as it allows them the convenience
of being able to take their own car with them. There are a number
of ferry routes from the UK to Normandy operating from Portsmouth
and Poole and arriving at Caen, Cherbourg or Le Havre. Ferries from
Dunkirk to Calais and Newhaven to Dieppe are also available, offering
easy access to the region.
For those wishing to drive from the UK there is also the option of
travelling via the Channel Tunnel. The A28 cuts across the top of
Normandy, giving a journey time of approximately 90 minutes to Rouen
from the Tunnel. Or, if driving from Paris, take the A14 north out
of the city. It is important to be aware that the motorways in France
are toll routes and payable by cash or credit card.
Travelling to Normandy is also possible by air. There any many flights
from the UK to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, also from Londons
City Airport to Deauville. From here one can hire a car or travel
by train to Normandy. Low cost flights are also available from the
UK and Ireland to Dinard in Brittany (the next region) with Ryanair.
Travelling to Normandy by train is usually via Paris on the SNCF,
the state railway. The majority of trains depart from Gare Lazare,
with some departing from Gare Montparnasse. Journey times are short:
to Evreux is 1 hour, Rouen is 75 minutes and Caen is 2 hours. From
here there are regional trains available that take travellers to smaller
towns such as Deauville, Valognes and Bayeux.
When it comes to booking travel to Normandy, it is worth checking
the costs of the different modes of transport as prices vary throughout
the year. Whether you opt to travel with ferry operators such as PO
Cruises, fly to Paris and then drive or travel by train or drive
from the UK via the Channel Tunnel, you will find much in the Normandy
region to make the journey worthwhile. |
Normandy Sightseeing
For many Normandy is synonymous for the Allied landings in World
War Two. But this quiet little corner of France has a history and
charm that is far more encompassing than that. Butting up against
the English Channel, with a hint of the Atlantic Ocean, Normandy
offers a fine holiday and even finer locations and sight seeing
opportunities.
Coming to Normandy as a stranger, you may get the first impression
that this is an area that time forgot a little. It is as though
time has stood still when you drive through villages, towns and
cities such as Le Havre, Cherbourg, Caen and Villers-Bocage. But
they have all been there throughout many important and focal points
of French, British and European history.
The Normandy beaches of course were the landing points for the D
Day invasion in 1944 when the Allies stormed `Fortress Europe` to
turn the Second World War and the reminders of that are ever present
in the landscape and the museums of the area. But this is also the
birthplace of William the Conqueror and the launch place of his
historic invasion of Britain. You also have the part Normandy played
in other wars, including the town of Rouen, which is marked as the
death place of Jeanne D`Arc.
But the background history and culture is also evidenced and worth
taking in as well. The fascinating town of Bagnoles de l`Orne is
a case in point. It bears residence to a supposedly magical spring
and woods which are still rumoured to be inhabited by witches, faeries
and other benign and malevolent spirits. The architecture of Normandy
itself is ancient and striking, none more so than the numerous chateaus
that bear witness to the passing of various lords, religious orders
and now house very successful vineyards. Or you could admire the
amazing clock mechanism of the Gros Hourloge, built in the 14th
century.
Wherever you decide to go in this area of Claude Monet`s birth,
flexibility is the real key. The ability to spot something new and
take a quick visit is really important. There are so many unrecorded
attractions that benefits from a second look. So hiring a car is
the perfect way to achieve that. French
car hire is not expensive and you could even arrange it in advance.
Certainly you will appreciate the freedom it gives you to explore
the real Normandy at your leisure. b>Normandy Holiday Guide
Normandy is an ideal holiday resort for all ages. Situated next
to Brittany there are 360 miles of dramatic coastline to explore
and in land, a whole lot more rural splendour to enjoy. The region
is a well known for its agriculture, particularly the breeding and
rearing of cattle and wherever one looks one can see the small enclosed
fields, the `bocages` that typify the area.
Originally named by the invading Vikings in the 9th Century, the
name is purported to mean `Northmen` but the present image of the
region could not be further from the Viking picture. Although the
area has simple farming roots It also has a cultured side. The town
of Deauville for example, appears to be a playground for the well
off with its famous horse racing circuits, pretty marina, exclusive
restaurants and casinos full of the well healed in society.
Also well known for its gastronomic delights, with its abundant
orchards the region is a popular place for cider production. Some
of the cider is then channelled towards the distilleries and in
turn is made into the local apple brandy, Calvados. Cheese is another
speciality of the region and several interesting varieties can be
found for sale on market stalls throughout the region. As a reflection
of the quality foods and drinks that are produced in the region
there are many French cookery courses in the heart of the Normandy
countryside that can be booked and enjoyed.
The region has a plethora of picturesque, market towns like Bayeux
and Reims to discover. Here there are medieval cobbled streets to
explore, bustling markets, selling fresh local produce and everywhere
one goes, friendly and welcoming towns folk. There are many local
festivals that take place in these towns throughout the year and
are well worth a visit to take in the unique atmosphere of the places.
The Joan of Arc Festival in Reims is a great example of this, it
takes place in June.
Another popular tourist attraction in the area is the historic coastline
where the famous World War 2 D-Day landings took place. Omaha Beach,
one of the landing beaches for the Allied troopes, is a must see
for many history buffs, it was once a scene of military hurly burly
but has now just a peaceful sandy spot. The many war cemeteries
in the area are also visited by many, some wishing to find the graves
of family members and others just hoping to pay their respects to
the many soldiers who fought for their country`s freedom.
As well as the miles of family friendly white sandy beaches of Normandy
there are also famous attractions on the coastline such as the islet
of Mount Saint Michel. A romantic spot with a causeway, walkable
at low tide only and a picturesque abbey perched high on the rocks
above the sea.
There is some great accommodation in Normandy which caters for all
budgets from luxury holiday cottages to mobile homes and tents.
There are many great holiday parks that offer family accomodation,
Eurocamp
La Vallée Holiday Park offers comfortable family camping and
caravanning in a glorious setting, a stones throw from the beach.
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