Out and About in Normandy: Sightseeing

Caen

The Capital of 'Basse Normandie', here you can visit the Abbaye aux Hommes to see William the Conqueror's tomb, the Abbaye aux Dames, Caen Castle, Musée des Beaux Arts and the Musée de Normandie. The Caen Memorial peace museum offers a spectacular audio visual presentation of 20th century history. Caen also boasts two colourful markets (Friday and Sunday mornings).

Deauville

This famous beach resort boasts a racecourse, harbour, is home to the American Film Festival and casino making it one of the most prestigious beach resorts in France. The resort was the inspiration for Marcel Proust’s “Search for Lost Time” and many impressionist paintings.

Honfleur

A visit to the ancient port of Honfleur is like stepping back in time. The town has maintained its 16th/17th Century appearance and has strong associations with the Impressionist painters such as Turner and Monet to name but a few.

Rouen

The capital of Normandy, Rouen is a picturesque city with its half-timbered houses and narrow cobbled streets. Visit the magnificent Cathédrale Notre-Dame, the Musée des Beaux Arts, the Joan of Arc Museum and the Place du Vieux Marché, and see the Gros-Horloge, a one-handed clock.

Mont St Michel

Known as the 'Merveille des Merveilles' and the eighth wonder of the world this UNESCO Word Heritage Site was created at the request of Archangel Michel in the year of 709. A couple of centuries later, a community of Benedictines settled on the rock and the pre-Romanesque church was built in 999. Throughout the centuries the building was extended and a village developed around the abbey. The Mont St Michel is now one of France’s most visited sites.

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