Normandy is well known for its food and drink and with many well known cheeses; in particular, coming from the region it is not surprising. The cooking is normally uncomplicated and the emphasis is on local produce. So, if you want a typical Normandy meal when you visit the local restaurant what do you order? Shell fish is most common for a starter and this can be found in abundance along the coastline in many of the small fishing ports. Particularly look for fresh oysters and mussels which are harvested from the Manche and Calvados coasts.

For main courses a variation of chicken in a cream sauce can be found on most menus as well as cream which plays an important part in many of the sauces whether it on poultry, veal or steak. Pork in cider or calvados is another dish which originated in Calvados and Caux areas. If you are staying in the South look out for ‘Pre Sale’ Lamb, this lamb reared on the salt plains around the Bay of Mont St Michel gives the meat a delicate extra taste. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous and don’t mind eating offal, why not try Tripes a la Mode de Caen. Alternatively, Vire is famous for its chitterling (Andouille) and in Mortagne au Perche the Black Pudding is a speciality. Finally, around the Seine Valley they have a particular cross breed of duck which produces a more meaty bird called Canard Rouennais.

However, Normandy is best known for its cheeses. Camembert is probably the best known internationally and although it originated from the village of the same name near Vimoutiers it is produced throughout the Region. You can find hard, soft, creamy and other varieties of Camembert so do look carefully at the label for your preferred choice. Other cheeses slightly less known are Livarot and Pont L’Eveque which both come from Calvados as well as Neufchatel from Seine Maritime. Finally, but certainly not least, the most famous dessert is apple tart with the addition of a little flambéed Calvados. Wash all this down with a glass of Cider and you are bound to leave the restaurant satisfied. Bon appetite. The Author Franchesca Denning runs a French holiday rentals website, they have exclusive Normandy holidays and even holiday cottages in normandy.

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Ever since the allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy this area of France has had special meaning for a large multitude of men and their families. For a great many it was to become the place in which they died whereas others, who survived WWII look back and remember the loss of friends (and often family) on the beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Sadly for many of those who survived the initial push from the beaches they were faced with stronger German opposition than had been expected and many more lost their lives. The Battle of Normandy was one of the world’s greatest military clashes and D-Day remains one of the most important dates in the history of the Second World War.

Even today there is a great deal of interest in the Battle of Normandy and many veterans, their children and grandchildren visit the area for a touring vacation. Many people visit the military cemeteries to see if they can find the graves of a fallen friend or family member. With the increasing interest in genealogy there is a growing number of younger people visiting Normandy to see if they can discover the grave of the grandfather or even great grandfather.

For those interested in this period of world history Normandy, France has a number of very interesting sites. It is still possible to see one of the Longues Battery casemates which housed 150-mm guns and protected the beaches from invasion. Other ruins exist in various stages of production such as the uncompleted Mont Fleury Battery, which is basically a breeze block shell. Some local landmarks were damaged by the bombardment, such as the Mont Fleury lighthouse which is closed to the public.

Today Normandy is a thriving holiday area with excellent countryside and gorgeous beaches and there are a number of Normandy guidebooks available to help plan your vacation. One of the most exciting ways in which to enjoy the area is by taking one of the motorcycle tours that are often available. If you are lucky enough to have good weather this is simply the best way in which to travel from one site to another.

If you are unable to take a bike tour of Normandy there are a number of organizations which offer alternatives such as Battlebus who offer Tours of the D-Day beaches and battlefields which are extremely popular with visitors from America. Other companies offer a more personal and bespoke service, often in a small people carrier type vehicle, this type of tour is often more flexible and there is often a choice of tour routes.

If you are planning a vacation in Normandy, France and you are considering booking a hotel in Normandy consider taking a two center vacation such as spending some time in Paris or even travel on to other areas of France. For those traveling from as far away as the U.S.A. such breaks may be the only opportunity to explore Europe. Whatever you decide we hope that you have a wonderful time.

Andrew Kelly writes widely for travel sites with his main interests being Scotland, England and Wales. However, when he stays in hotels in Normandy he uses his experiences in his writing and reviews.

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Normandy is located in the Northern part of France, along the English Channel coast. It is comprised of an Upper and Lower Normandy. There are a total of five departments in these two sections of Normandy; Seine-Maritime and Eure in Upper Normandy; Orne, Manche, and Calvados in Lower Normandy. Looking for an apartment to stay at, while vacationing in Normandy, can be easily done with the Internet capabilities of today. If Holiday apartment rental in Normandy France has been on your mind a lot lately, pay close attention to what we have to tell you.

Many sites are found with information as to what apartments are up for rent, where they are located, how much they are per night or week, and so on. Just about any question can be answered, as well as an apartment in any location. There are places to stay that are near the water, for those who wish to spend time at the beach. For the avid shoppers, there are apartments located in the city too. Websites will guide a prospective renter through all the steps needed to finalize an apartment rental in Normandy, France.

There are holiday apartment rentals available in any of these five departments, and usually for any season. A typical site used to locate an apartment rental in Normandy, France is set up with a map of the five departments in Normandy. Once the choice is made as to which department is desired, the name is clicked on with the mouse and a page with a search box appears. This will allow the arrival and departure dates to be entered, to check availability. There are also boxes to enter a price range, in case there is a strict budget for the holiday rental.

In order to refine the search even more, there is a list of criteria to choose from. This list includes; the number of bedrooms desired, how many people the place can sleep, how many bathrooms are available, and the property type being searched for. To be even more in depth, there are guest facilities that can be added to the list of criteria as well. Choices among these include; air conditioning, pool, garden, dishwasher, barbecue, internet access, parking, and washing machine. The list of criteria doesn’t end there though, even specific accessibility and locations can be chosen.

After all the criteria has been chosen, the matching listings will appear. These listings include pictures of the apartments, how much they are per night or for the week, and the reviews given on the property.

There is a button to check details and availability of the property and a place to contact the owner as well. When the button labeled “details and availability” is clicked, a new page is displayed with more pictures of the property, as well as an in-depth description of it, and location information. Also included on this page is the distance from the nearest airport, ferry, train, motorway, beach, and anything else of importance.

Calendars are provided on this availability page, in order to display all available and unavailable dates for the apartment. Any additional information will be listed on this page as well, such as if towels and linens are provided, if a car is necessary, whether or not pets are allowed, or if the cost of gas and electricity are included with the rental price.

Even the language spoken by the owner is listed, right below the owner’s telephone number and directly above the length of time the owner has been listing properties with the website being viewed.

Insurance and cancellation policies are listed on this page, along with contact information for the owner. Inquiries can be made on the availability page, by entering in the pertinent information the owner will need such as; contact information, arrival and departure dates, the number of people staying at the property, and a message to the owner. All of the reviews posted about this property are displayed in a list form, with the date of stay posted at the top of the review.

This website even has a section of special offers, where rentals for a discounted price are listed. The search engine feature allows for quick listing of criteria, which helps to weed out properties that won’t be suitable. Being able to contact a property owner with questions is always helpful, especially when the owner is located in a completely different country. Finding a holiday apartment rental in Normandy, France can be easy and completely stress free, with all the advancements in internet technology today. Before making reservations, it is a good idea to make sure all travel arrangements are in order, especially when it comes to passports and other legal documentation needed to travel.

Apartment Rental Normandy

Holidays in Normandy

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Camping holidays in France have long been a favourite for British holiday makers, especially for families. The combination of fantastic beaches, quality food, and beautiful countryside makes for a superb trip to Europe, and nowhere is this truer than in Normandy. Camping in Normandy is special for a number of reasons; here are just five…

Close to Home

For sheer convenience, it is hard to beat a family holiday in Normandy. It is the region of France that is closest to the UK, and a camping holiday in Normandy is only a short crossing on the ferry or Eurostar away. No epic car drives across the length of France – you can get to a campsite in Normandy in a matter of hours and the shorter the car journey, the fewer ‘are we there yet’ comments you’ll hear from the children in the back!

Great Beaches

Normandy has a glorious coastline, alternating characterful little coves with long stretches of golden sand. Most campsites in Normandy are concentrated along the coast, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of a beach holiday and experience the beautiful Normandy countryside at the same time.

Superb Regional Cuisine

As any stay at a country campsite in Normandy reveals, it is a land of orchards and dairy farms, and sampling the local produce is a real highlight of camping here. Normandy produces over half of the milk and dairy produce that is consumed in France – Camembert is the most famous cheese from the region, but it also produces Neufchatel, Livarot, Pont l’Eveque and many others. From the orchards, apple based dishes and sauces dominate the cuisine, including many excellent ciders and apple brandies. Being a coastal region, the seafood is unsurprisingly very good – make sure to try a local assiette de fruits de mer while you are camping in Normandy.

Historical Sights

Normandy has more to offer than just good beaches and fine cuisine. There is some superb medieval architecture on display at the charming town of Hornfleur, which is a picturesque place for a day trip away from your Normandy campsite. At Bayeux, you can see the original Bayeux Tapestry, the spectacular linen weaving that tells the story of the 1066 Norman conquest.

The beaches of Normandy are famous for more than just being good for relaxing on; the D-Day landings in World War II signified the beginning of the serious land campaign which eventually led to Germany’s defeat. History buffs will enjoy exploring the Allied landing zones (including Omaha, Juno and Sword) and surveying the remnants of a great battle fought decades before.

Family Friendly Campsites

When manypeople think of camping, they imagine muddy fields, pouring rain, and the most basic of facilities, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Many of the campsites in Normandy are luxurious, with restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts, onsite shops and a host of other facilities. Normandy campsites are perfect for families, with a combination of onsite facilities, beaches and local countryside all acting as playgrounds to keep the children entertained.

Stephen Lane is the Marketing Director of Canvas Holidays, one of the leading European camping and mobile home holiday company in the UK. With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer tailor made Normandy camping holidays, as well holidays to the rest of France and other countries such as Spain, Italy, Holland, Germany and other destinations across 9 European countries.

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When tired of the same old courses in the UK, many golfers look to destinations like Spain and Portugal for their fix of greens and fairways to “attack”, but this isn’t practical for a short golf break. Normandy is the answer: It’s local for British golfers, has a wide selection of smart courses, some splendid hotels and enough attractions to keep you busy even when you’re off the courses.

The Location

Nowadays it’s easier than ever before to get across to France for a visit. Normandy is particularly easy, with a vast choice of traditional and super-fast ferries and the 35 minute Eurotunnel crossing. For golfers in the south, a golf break in Normandy is actually easier to get to than a trip up to Scotland.

Once you get there, Normandy is picturesque with a “very French” mix of ports and resorts, of villages and fields, of chateaux and bustling bars. It’s different enough to feel like a proper break, while comfortingly familiar to Anglophiles.

Hospitable Hotels

In terms of welcoming lodgings for a golf holiday, Normandy is very well served. There’s everything from the best in luxury and service (Hotel Normandy Barriere, Deauville), smaller charming hotels (Dormy House, Etretat) and city-based accommodation (Mercure Centre, Rouen) to choose from, and the service and atmosphere of them is very friendly. Many of these hotels have excellent restaurants but if you’re looking to explore further afield there are plenty of charming eateries offering very reasonable prices. Diners will of course be entranced with the famous seafood,
especially the shellfish. For non-fish eaters, Normans are hearty eaters and love cooking with cream and Calvados. And with a different cheese for every day of the year…Camembert, Livarot and Pont-l’Eveque are all local specialities.

Celebrated Courses

The best thing about a golf holiday in Normandy is its excellent courses. There are many good courses in the region but ones which deserve a special mention are Etretat (one of the best links in France and conveniently adjacent to the Dormy House hotel),
Chateau de la Chouette (a real hidden gem!), Golf Parc (some of the best target golf in the country) and, my personal favourite, Champ de Bataille which is quite stunning and very testing in parts. All told, we recommend 21 courses golf courses in Normandy – you’ll be very pleasantly impressed with our choice.

Plenty to Do

Of course the region is best known for the historic Normandy beach landings of June 1944 and there’s plenty to honour the memory with some fascinating museums. On top of this, the region is also home to the Bayeux tapestry and the breathtaking Mont St. Michel – one of the most visited sites in the whole of the country.

For a bit of a change from the UK’s courses, a Normandy golf break is a great idea. It’s local, reasonably priced, has plenty to see and do and of course has some truly memorable golf courses. Take a golf holiday in Normandy and rediscover your love of the game.

About the Author

Morgan Clarke

Enchanting Holidays in France Begin With Normandy
!  The mere mention of holidays in France conjures up romantic notions of sipping coffee in a cafe in Paris and or a stroll down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees. French holidays however can be equally enchanting in Normandy. This region is set among the lushest and verdant forests in all of France with breathtaking landscapes and historical towns.

Creation of Normandy

It would be interesting to begin your French holidays with some knowledge of the creation of Normandy. The name Normandy actually derives from the Gaul term for ‘Northman’. Normandy began as a fiefdom created for a Viking leader called Rollo. As Rollo hailed from the North, hence the region he presided over was called Normandy. Rollo’s descendant, William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy subjugated England in 1066 to become the first King of England following his victory at the Battle of Hastings.

Historical Past of Normandy

The rich history of Normandy draws numerous tourists to this spectacular region every year. The decisive Operation Overlord of World War II, which saw the mobilisation of massive numbers of Allied infantry and supplies, began the assault on France from the D-Day amphibious landings on the Calvados coast of Normandy, on 6 June 1944. The Battle of Normandy witnessed ferocious military battles for the eventual liberation of France. This crucial turning point in the war was a critical period in the historical past of Normandy.

Interesting Towns to Visit in Normandy

When you’re in Normandy during your holidays in France, visit the famous spa town, Bagnoles de l’Orne. Here you can relax and be pampered to ease away your fatigue and muscle tension or go swimming and golfing. The bourgeois villas in the town sport unique roofing, bow windows and polychrome facades.

French holidays will beckon you to visit the Mont-St-Michel, where a medieval Benedictine Abbey stands majestically on a sheer clump of rocks. The marvellous architecture of this Abbey and its unique location makes this a critical itinerary in your holidays in France.

Head on to the town of Bayeux where you can view the marvellous embroidered tapestry recounting the Battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest of England. It dates to the time of William the Conqueror.

At the town of Lassay-les-Chateaux you can visit a 15th century stone castle that is still completely standing. A little further north of this town is Domfort, which boasts narrow streets and the ruins of medieval castles.

There are 600km of Normandy coastline with beautiful beaches and sculpting cliffs.  Whether it’s sailing, canoe-kayaking, kite surfing or wind surfing, Normandy has excellent facilities around the coast.  Childen can play on the golden sand beaches.  History lovers can relive the emotional journey to the D Day landing beaches, world famous for the part it played in turning around World War 2.

About 8 kms away is the lovely village of Lonlay L’Abbaye, your destination for a peaceful conclusion to your holidays in France. This typical French village is the epitome of French holidays as you will be able to interact with the friendly local populace and enjoy the special Normandy cuisine.

About the Author

Robert Elliott

When you’ve decided to spend your holidays in Normandy, you’d have made a wise decision. A Normandy vacation is not only enchanting but also refreshing. Normandy, in France, is ideal to bring the children to enjoy a multitude of recreational pursuits and outdoor activities. For the more adventurous, holidays in Normandy will bring you close to nature through hiking and cycling activities or manoeuvring canoes down rapid rivers and wind surfing on the sea.

Scenic Countryside

Your Normandy vacation would be replete with views of the stunning landscapes, from the rugged cliffs at the coast to the hills to the valleys of the interior. The artistic Romantic movement of the late 18th century drew renowned painters such as Turner to admire the fabulous landscape and produce fantastic masterpieces on canvas depicting the Normandy countryside. His contemporary, Theodore Gericault, from the town of Rouen, was equally inspired by strong emotions evoked from an awe of the forces of nature which he translated into sweeping works of incredible art.

Later artists of great stature such as Claude Monet, the founder of French impressionist painting, further enhanced the general public’s appreciation of Normandy scenes with his paintings of water lilies. Monet’s water lily garden in Giverny is a focal point for tourists during their holidays in Normandy. All these striking colours, unusual light and dazzling scenery are as beautiful today as they were when first painted in the 19th century. Normandy’s artistic heritage is now on public display in museums throughout the world.

Golfing Haven

The charming countryside is enhanced with world class golf courses that are spread all across the region. When you’re embarking on golfing holidays in France, a Normandy vacation will bring you to some of the most striking courses in the land. Combine your golf with culture as you visit the numerous Abbeys, chateaux and cathedrals where you can enjoy the brilliant artistic and architectural legacy of Normandy. You can tee off in a golf course in Rouen, famous for its 100 bell towers and as the city in which Joan of Arc was martyred.

Something For the Children

When you take your children for a Normandy vacation, you can thrill them with luxurious swims in the sea off the northern coast of France. You can picnic on the beach along a 600km coastline and watch your children frolic gleefully in the cool waters of the English Channel. Normandy is famous for its love of everything equine. The local population will be more than pleased to express their fond appreciation of this swift and majestic animal. You could take your children horse riding at Haras du Pin, a horse breeding estate, and learn about the way horses are bred and cared for. You could entertain your loved ones to horse shows at Deauville and admire the precision in the movements of highly trained show horses.

Savouring Special Drinks

You’ll be amazed at the proliferation of apple trees and the sheer volume of apples in Normandy. The abundance of these cousins to the rose bush means that this French region is particularly noted for its cider, both excellent in taste and bouquet. Your holidays in Normandy won’t be complete if you don’t have a whiff of their apply brandy, called calvados. This alcoholic beverage is a popular drink which is consumed by the locals in the intervening period between courses of a meal. A blending of apple brandy and unfermented cider produces pommeau, an aperitif you must enjoy during your Normandy vacation.

Specific Normandy Dishes

With the wealth of apples in this beautiful region, you’ll find the local dishes have special cuisine that makes imaginative use of this delicious fruit. When dining out during your holidays in Normandy, you could savour the taste of moules à la normande – a dish of mussels that have been expertly cooked in cream and apples. If you’re a fan of pastries, try bourdelots or baked apples in pastry. You must also bite into the local variation of apple tart, the flan Normandy.

Staying in Normandy

To truly enjoy your Normandy vacation, you should stay in accommodation that exemplifies the beauty and history of this exquisite region. The lush countryside is home to luxurious manor houses now converted to self contained apartments with breathtaking views. Premier among these is Le Manoir Nezement in Lonlay L’Abbaye, a quaint village nestled just 6 miles from Domfort and easily accessible from Caen. Here you can relax in the gentle and laid back country lifestyle of rural France where you’ll meet wonderful local personalities at the patisserie and village bar.

Your holidays in Normandy will refresh you with adventurous outdoor activities in the verdant countryside. Revel in the local, apple based, delicacies and beverages. Luxuriate in accommodation that will rejuvenate you!

About the Author