Known for cows, apple brandy and cheese, the Normandy section of France is a treasure trove of historical sites and monuments. Across the English Channel from London, the rough and tumble coastline fades into rolling green hills and pastoral beauty while the alabaster cliffs mirror the white cliffs of Dover just across the Channel. Only 45 minutes from Paris by fast train, Normandy offers culture, history and some really great cheese.
Climb the Rock
- Named a UNESCO site in 1979, the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is often referred to as "The wonder of the Western world." Indeed, the Romanesque church is perched atop a rocky island more than a half mile out to sea. Although the sea doesn't reach the island during low tide, the high tides come galloping in at such a pace as to overcome unwary visitors walking on the beach. Once on the rock, you'll enter through King's Gate and find yourself in the middle of a medieval village filled with shops selling everything from sculpted gargoyles to handmade lace. After marveling at the extraordinary beauty of the ornate abbey, treat yourself to a crepe or a glass of wine in one of the many brasseries in the village.
Try the Cheese
- Normande cows are responsible for the rich milk, robust butter and creamy cheese that are staples in Norman cuisine. A visit to the village of Camembert in the Orne region will allow you to experience the soft, runny cheese in its purest form. Visit the President Farm to learn how Camembert is made, and then make a stop at Maison Camembert, a cheese display house which resembles nothing so much as a round, white wheel of Camembert. President Farm also serves a mean cup of Calvados, an apple brandy that is generally about 55 percent alcohol. There is, of course, a Calvados museum where you can learn all about this famous drink. While in the Calvados district, take time to visit the medieval village of Bayeaux and its magnificent 230-foot-long embroidered tapestry celebrating the conquest of England by the Duke of Normandy in 1066.
Hit the Beach
- Normandy boasts more than 360 miles of coastline, including the World War II D-Day landing beaches. History buffs flock to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery that honors those who gave their lives during the largest military landing in history. A different kind of drama is evoked by the stunning Alabaster Cliffs, the mirror image of England's white cliffs of Dover. Dotted along the top of the steep limestone cliffs are historic towns, including the picturesque village of Etretat, famously painted by Claude Monet and immortalized in print by Guy de Maupassant. The offshore rock formations are breathtaking, and golfers can enjoy playing a round on a 100-year-old course at 150 feet above the ocean.
Horse Around
- Normandy is known to have a passion for horses, and nowhere is it more apparent than in Haras du Pin, the national stud horse association created in 1715 by Louis XIV. Ensconced in the inland district of Orne, the estate is known as the "Equestrian Versailles," and a tour of the vast grounds verifies the status of the prestigious horse-breeding operation. Begin with a tour of the chateau and its collection of horse paintings, trophies and 17th-century tapestries. Autumn is the time to attend both flat and steeplechase races, and, from June through September, guests are treated to an equestrian parade featuring horse-drawn vehicles of the past and spectacular displays of horsemanship.
