Normandy Gites & Holiday Cottages

What to Eat on your Normandy Holiday

Normandy doesn't disappoint when it comes to culinary delights. Drop by at Le Pily for their seafood and meat dishes. La Petite Auberge provides a homely ambience and serves delicious French fare made with the local farm produce.

Dig into some scrumptious dishes at Chef Giles Tournadre's 2 Michelin-star restaurant, Gill, where local products are used for preparing exotic pan-Asian cuisine and creating unique combinations that will take you to seventh heaven.

La Rapière offers an interesting array of terrines, duck, and veal served with Camembert cheese. Roast meat, seafood sourced from the nearby coast, kaffir-lime vinaigrettes, and hazelnut tempura are some of the exotic delicacies that La Fleur de Sel rustles up.

What to See in Normandy

Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage site tops the lists of attractions in Normandy. Rising out of the sea, its 100m-high spires are a sight to behold. It's also a popular pilgrimage site and a fascinating place. You can enjoy some spellbinding views of the region from the terrace of the Abbey in the West facade.

Followers of Impressionist art should visit Claude Monet’s residence in Giverny. Monet’s Garden will not fail to mesmerise you with its natural garden layout, which had been an inspiration for Monet’s creativity.

Set in Mue Valley, in the lower parts of Normandy, the Chateau de Fontaine Henry traces its history to the 13th century. Some of the most famous works of Renaissance artists can be viewed here. The captivating beauty of the surrounding park adds a special charm to the chateau.

Enjoying French life with children

A visit to the Bayeux Tapestry is an interesting and educational trip with children, many of whom will have heard of it in school. There is also a historicaly themed amusement park, Festyland and the de Champrepus zoo.There is also the opportunity to board a submarine turned museum at Cite de la Mer.

Festivals and celebrations in medieval Normandy

Barely a day goes by in Normandy without some form of celebration taking place, whether its the Spring Festival in March, La Fete du Normandes celebrating Normandy itself throughout September, or the Fetes des Gueux, a medieval weekend with street parades, markets and shows.

There are few dates throughout the year which do not feature some form of event or exhibition, celebrating the region's varied history. D-Day is a particularly important time in Normandy's calendar when the Normandy Landings of 1944 ared remembered.

The beauty of Normandy in brief

Falaise d'Etretat

These white cliffs are an icon of Normandy and the coastal town of Etretat is a cultural haven for sight-seers from around the world. The cliffs themselves are the site of several naturally-formed arches which are classified as a site of major national importance.

The coast is home to a number of protected plant species. A walk along the Faliase d'Etratat with its breathtaking views is an unmissable experience.

Claude Monet's house and gardens

This attraction is a must-see for art lovers as well as for those who appreciate beauty. The town of Giverny is accessible by train, road and bus from Normandy.

Claude Monet's house is now a museum displaying items which belonged to the artist. The house and gardens are themselves works of art, with a huge variety of flowers wherever you look.

Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel

Another iconic Normandy landmark and a symbol of French national identity, this abbey was founded in the 10th Century by Benedictine monks. The abbey has been used for the worship of Saint Michel since 708 and was an important site of medieval pilgrimage.

The abbey has undergone ongoing restoration and can now be seen in all its former glory. This World Heritage Site sits atop an 80m high hill overlooking the medieval town, the surrounding countryside and the Couesnon River.