The first article from one of our
owners (Sara Keywood)...
Many people pass through this region on their way further south which is a
great shame as Normandy has a great deal to offer whatever your age. The region
is still mainly agricultural which means that almost everywhere you travel green
fields and woods surround you. Many locals sell the fruit and vegetables that
they grow either by the roadside or in the local markets along with home
produced butter and cream. Some stalls cook the most mouth watering roast
chicken for you to take away (lovely for an instant picnic with home baked bread
and garden grown salads) and some prepare vast pans of seafood paella. Even if
you don’t fancy trying the local produce a visit to a weekly market should not
be missed, as they can be very interesting to wander around. The market at
Villedieu is huge and is well worth a visit particularly during the summer
months as the town is awash with colour from the many floral displays.
If you like sea food you can either join the locals on the seafront at low
tide and collect mussels and cockles or sample the gastronomic delights of the
many restaurants in the area which se
If history is something that interests you, then, again this region has much
to offer. You will find many historic buildings including Chateaux and
Cathedrals, Monasteries and Forts. The Cathedral at Bayeaux is very grand inside
and out and has many fine paintings and statues and this of course can be
combined with a visit to the Bayeaux Tapestry, which is magnificent and should
not be missed. The other very well known religious site in this region is Le
Mont St Michel, which can be seen from miles away and towers above you when
entering the car park. A cobbled path twists and turns through a narrow street
bordered by shops and restaurants, which are housed in the most delightful
timbered buildings, and carries you up to the entrance of Mont St Michel itself.
From this height the views over the bay are marvellous and during the evening in
the summer time the whole building is illuminated to great effect.
You will find a great many museums of history and art as well as museums of
the farming history of the region and the D-Day Landings, which took place along
the East Coast of Normandy.
The Beaches in Normandy tend to be sandy and long and are kept very clean.
Because they are large you will find that you have room to move, even during the
busy periods and it is far easier to keep an eye on the children while they are
playing.
As you are in a bay area the level of many of the beaches does not drop too
steeply and although the tide goes out a fair way it is nicer for the younger
children as they can paddle about more easily than on a beach where it drops
away suddenly. Another bonus is that lifeguards patrol many of the beaches both
on the beach and in the water. If the children like to explore rock pools there
are several places along the coast, which are ideal, and as I mentioned
previously in some areas you can collect your own mussels and cockles for
dinner.
As well as all this you will find a great many other activities to do in the
region including horse riding, fishing, golf, canoeing, walking, cycling and
even bungy jumping (not for the faint hearted) from a viaduct tower 61 metres
above the Souleuvre River. There are also some great zoos and adventure parks
which the children will love. My children particularly liked Champrepus Zoo,
which is small, beautifully landscaped and well laid out. They have a good
variety of animals on view and an area where children can stroke farm animals.
There is a very nice play area with climbing frames, slides, bouncy castles and
ball pit, much of which is in the shade of trees which is a blessing on a hot
summers day. The restaurant is very reasonably priced but they also provide
picnic areas if you prefer to take your own food.
All in all Normandy is a fantastic place to visit either for a family holiday
or if you would like a trip away with your partner. So, next time you think
about travelling to France why not stop off in this historical and beautiful
region and try some of the many delights it has to offer.
Fancy staying in the area - why not book now with the owners Mr & Mrs
Keywood? Find more details about their property - click
here
