NORMANDY

To get the real flavour of France, you do not need to drive several hundred miles south. In Normandy you will find beautiful coastal and country scenery, towns steeped in history, and fine food and wine from all over France. Whilst the climate can leave a little to be desired, almost all houses have an open fireplace, so with a roaring log fire, and a glass or two of locally produced calvados, winter can be kept at bay!

In Upper Normandy, Dieppe is a personal favourite, has easy access from Newhaven, as well as being only about 2 hours' drive from Calais. The old port was converted into a large marina and the town has good shops, hotels and restaurants. Do not miss the delightful street market on Saturday mornings. The 15th century Castle Museum houses the finest ivory collection in France, and near to Dieppe at Varengeville is Le Bois des Moutiers. The house, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, is private, but the beautiful park and gardens, influenced by Gertrude Jekyll, are open for much of the year. There is an interesting war museum just outside the town, and a visit to one of the military cemeteries, here or elsewhere, will send a chill down your spine as you are reminded of the carnage of World War II.

Inland from Dieppe is the Pays de Bray, a fertile region, much of which is dedicated to dairy production. It is where Neufchâtel - the heart-shaped cheese, and Petit-Suisse yoghurt are produced. The coastal area of the Seine-Maritime is known as the Côte d'Albâtre, or Alabaster Coast, and the towns of St. Valerie-en-Caux, Fécamp, and Etretat are well worth a visit. Access is very easy from Dieppe or le Havre.

The city of Rouen, the capital of Normandy and the Seine-Maritime, was founded at the lowest point where the river Seine could be bridged. The Cathédral Notre Dame is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture, and was frequently painted by Claude Monet. It is where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in the old market square. Wander the streets and enjoy the old Norman colombage buildings. The colombage, or exposed timber-frame style of building, is one of the features of many properties in Upper-Normandy.

Anyone interested in gardens should take the opportunity to visit Monet's garden at Giverny. The garden has been beautifully restored, as has Monet's house with its pink walls and green shutters. The gardens, including the lily pond and the green bridge, are the subject of many of Claude Monet's paintings.

For Lower Normandy, access via the mid-channel ports (Portsmouth or Southampton) to Cherbourg or Ouistreham /Caen, for example, is very easy, as is access by autoroute from Calais to Rouen / Caen. Much of the area is only from two and a half to four hours from Calais. The climate here is not much different from south-east England, maybe a degree or two warmer.

Attractions in the area include the beautiful town and port of Honfleur (closely connected with the impressionist movement), Bayeux with its famous tapestry as well as a war museum, the famous beaches of the Normandy landings, and military cemeteries and memorials in abundance. Do not forget to visit Pegasus Bridge. In Falaise, to the east of the Suisse-Normande, is the chateau where William the Conqueror was born.

Calvados has rich farmland and is famous for cheeses, such as Livarot, Pont l'Evêque and Camembert. There are many apple orchards from which are produced cider and calvados. If your interest is equestrian , there are many stud farms in Calvados and the Orne.

In the south west corner of Normandy is the Mont-St-Michel - with its abbey towering over the surrounding sands and sea, and linked to the mainland by a causeway. A 'must' to visit if in the area.

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As well as providing some very general information, these notes reflect my own impressions following many visits to France. They are, however, no substitute for the very good and interesting books which are available. William Pearson©