Tucked between land and sea, in northern France, where history, culture and food will set your travel menu. Though quite windy at times, the regional produce will cater for many different tastes: Calvados, cider and apple liqueur, cheeses and fresh fruits de mer
INTRODUCTION
It is a late winters-afternoon; an icy wind cuts through your coat and scarf. Rows and rows of white crosses signal the end of day in the last glimpse of sunshine. You're in the heart of Normandy:
Follow in the footsteps of the liberators on the mystical beaches of Normandy. The medieval town of Bayeux is the gateway to the D-Day Landing beaches in Northern France, between land and sea, where history, culture and gastronomy meet. For the real food connoisseur the region abound with excellent Michelin star restaurants and Chateau Relais boutique accommodation.
ACCESSIBILITY
Normandy is located three and a half hour’s drive by road on the A13 north-west of Paris. Caen is capital of the region with regional airport. Harbour towns are Le Havre and Cherbourg, linking the UK with France by ferry.
HONFLEUR
Epitomizing medieval Normandy, the sleepy village of Honfleur still oozes the old world fishing village of yesteryear. On one side of the port is the unusual wooden spire of the 15th century church of Saint Etienne. This is the oldest church in Honfleur and is now home to the town’s maritime museum, The Musée de la Marine. Set around a quaint little harbour, this World Heritage site has much to offer the dedicated traveller:
• Curving cobblestone streets, with many a cute art gallery, selling original pieces of art, from far and near;
• Traditional fishing boat cruises along the Normandy coastline.
• Typical authentic French bistro kitchens producing fine local cuisine, specializing in seafood dishes with main ingredients scallops and mussels.
L’Ecailleur – Authentic Norman seafood
Le Bréard – Fine Dining cuisine
BAYEUX
Travel back in time ... As you marvel the 70 meter long masterpiece Romanesque tapestry in Bayeux, depicting the Conquest of England by William the Conqueror during the 11th century, you again realize how the history of France is written in the many, almost forgotten countryside towns in the variety of regions.
The Cathedral, a gem of Norman Gothic architecture, is situated in the heart of the UNESCO conservation area of the town. As the daylight dims out, floodlighting is slowly taking over, highlighting the masonry details of the many towers, turrets and buttresses.
Villa Lara**** – Boutique family-owned hotel in historic centre of Bayeux near Tapestry Museum
Le Petit Matin*** – Excellent guest house near Cathedral
Chateau d’Audrieu**** – Cheerfulness and elegance are the by-words in this 18th century chateau located between Caen and Bayeux, a listed historic monument surrounded by a French-style formal garden and a superb flower garden. Brilliant and inventive cuisine is served.
D-DAY BEACHES OF NORMANDY
Each of the five beaches tells its own story: strangely enough, separation still exists even today, as you will visit the cemeteries of the Germans, the British, the Canadian as well as the American soldiers, all 40 000, who died between D-Day (6 June 1944 and end July)
At Omaha Beach, some 9 500 American soldiers are buried on a piece of French soil, now owned and maintained by America: rows of white crosses set out with military precision, bordering the rough English Channel.
Upon entering the site, a dramatic arched colonnade, reminiscent to the Washington Memorial, welcomes you. These columns halfway encircle a statue of an athletic young man with outstretched arm towards the blue sky.
Opposite this semi-circular memorial, a quiet water-pond, leads you into the sanctuary; two tall flag-masts are reflected in the water; high up, at the very end, two Stars and Stripes are dancing in the light breeze.
Right on the beach, the stainless-steel monumental work by Anilore Banon, is a tribute to the bravery of the Allied Forces. Symbolizing drawn bayonet blades, this piece of sculpture will always remind us of the atrocities of war.
– Johann