From the sea to the countryside, from the charming seaside towns on the Côte Fleurie to the picturesque villages of the Pays d’Auge, and from the steep cliffs to the fine sandy beaches, Normandy is the perfect travel destination. Whether romantic, historic, gastronomic, contemplative, cultural or sporty, there’s something for everyone here!
It was at the request of the Archangel Michael, “leader of the heavenly armies”, that Aubert, Bishop of Avranches constructed and consecrated an initial church on October 16th, 709. In 966, at the request of the Duke of Normandy, a community of Benedictines was established on the rocky island. The pre-Romanesque church was thus built before the year 1000. Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A renowned Norman seaside resort town, Deauville is considered one of France’s most prestigious towns, boasting a casino, palaces, listed villas, racecourses, pleasure ports, a congress centre, an American film festival and golf courses. Its beach is equally renowned for its boardwalk and its famous parasols in orange, red, blue and green depending on the sectors, all tied up in the famed “nœud Deauvillais” (Deauville knot).
A major tourist site along the Côte Fleurie in the department of Calvados, Honfleur is a charming town that is renowned for its picturesque Vieux Bassin and characterised by its houses covered in slate, and has been painted many a time by such esteemed artists as Gustave Courbet, Eugène Boudin, Claude Monet and Johan Barthold Jongkind, all of whom formed the Honfleur School that contributed to the birth of the Impressionist movement.
On your route from Bayeux, you’ll be able to explore Villedieu-les-Poêles, capital of brass located at the heart of Mont Saint-Michel Bay. Holding the “Villes et Métiers d’Art” label (Towns and Trades of Art), you’ll be able to explore exceptional sites such as the bell foundry, the copper workshop and several other museums. Continue on your way to Mont Saint-Michel, which has the defining characteristic of being built atop a small rocky island surrounded by a magnificent bay, the site of the largest tides in Continental Europe. Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Finally, you can head towards Saint-Malo or Granville if you like. With its grand stone buildings, Saint-Malo lies on the mouth of the River Rance, with its city walls standing tall above its beaches and port. The façades and towers emerging from the fortifications give the town its unique silhouette.
As for Granville, this seaside resort and town for corsairs will give you a feeling of holidays all year round. The Christian Dior House is another charming attraction that will enthral lovers of fashion.
