Normandy Introduction

Normandy is a geographical region in northern France. Upper Normandy (Haute-Normandie) consists of the French départements of Seine-Maritime and Eure, and Lower Normandy (Basse-Normandie) of the départements of Orne, Calvados, and Manche.

The Duchy of Normandy is a formerly independent duchy situated in northern France occupying the lower Seine area, the Pays de Caux and the region to the west through the Pays d'Auge as far as the Cotentin Peninsula. Normandy was historically a province of France. It comprised present-day Upper and Lower Normandy, as well as small areas now part of the départements of Eure-et-Loir, Mayenne, and Sarthe.

The Channel Islands, although British, are culturally and historically a part of Normandy that never reverted to the crown of France.

Normandy Weather

Since Normandy is on the west coast of France, it has a warm temperate climate. It does rain sometimes, which is one of the reasons its countryside is so green and wooded, but it would be an unusual week if there was not more sun that cloud.

It can get pretty hot in the summer months, up to about 30 degrees, but unlike France south of the Loire, you are unlikely to get scorched to the tarmac, believe me we've cycled in the south in August and it can be blistering! Overall Normandy has an ideal climate for cycling, but bring waterproofs as well as a sunhat!

Normandy Attractions

Normandy is a green and peaceful region dotted with pretty little fishing harbours and charming resorts. It was also, however, the setting for "Operation Overlord". At dawn on June 6, 1944, one of history's most decisive battles, led by General Eisenhower, began with the Allied invasion of German-held Normandy. The Battle of Normandy lasted over two months. In the Calvados department alone over 30,000 soldiers and over 20,000 civilians were killed. Museums and memorials are abundant in the area and the immaculately maintained cemeteries honour the dead of all nations. The beaches of Normandy are a pilgrimage site for those who were involved in, or remember the Great War, and they are a valuable and enriching experience for those who were not. Haras Nationale, Saint Lô If you're thinking of buying a horse or a pony, the Normandie Horse Show at Haras Nationale in Saint Lô is for you. Abbaye du Mont Saint Michel, Mont-St-Michel, Basse-Normandie This Gothic abbey has stood proudly for well over 1,000 years, and today is one of the most visited tourist attractions outside of Paris. Attraction type: Historic site; Religious site; Architectural building; Monument Claude Monet's House and Gardens, Giverny, Basse-Normandie These beautiful gardens inspired Impressionist Claude Monet's most famous work. Attraction type: Historic home; Garden; Landmark/point of interest Museum of the Bayeux Tapestry (Musee de la Tapisserie de Bayeux), Bayeux, Basse-Normandie This museum houses the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-m long piece of embroidery that graphically tells the story of the 1066 Battle of Hastings. Attraction type: Art museum; Specialty museum; Historic site; History museum; Monument Museum of the Battle of Normandy (Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie), Bayeux, Basse-Normandie A precise account of the Battle of Normandy. Attraction type: History museum; Military museum; Historic site; Monument American Museum (Musee d'Art Americain), Giverny, Basse-Normandie An art museum in Giverny, the country home for 40 years of Claude Monet, which houses the work of American impressionists inspired by Monet, such as Mary Cassatt. Attraction type: Art museum Cathedrale Notre Dame de Bayeux, Bayeux, Basse-Normandie This Norman gothic building was begun in the 11th century and is best known for its south portal that depicts the assassination of Archbishop Thomas à Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170. Attraction type: Religious site; Architectural building Memorial of Caen, Caen, Basse-Normandie A history museum exploring the traumatic events that shook the region during World War II. Attraction type: History museum Rue du Gros-Horloge, Rouen, Haute-Normandie Attraction type: Neighborhood; Scenic/historic walking area Abbaye aux Dames, Mont-St-Michel, Basse-Normandie Attraction type: Religious site Eglise St-Ouen, Mont-St-Michel, Basse-Normandie Attraction type: Religious site; Historic site; Architectural building Abbaye aux Hommes (Men's Abbey), Caen, Basse-Normandie Attraction type: Religious site Musee des Beaux-Arts de Caen, Caen, Basse-Normandie Attraction type: Art museum Musee de la Ceramique (Ceramics Museum), Rouen, Haute-Normandie Attraction type: Art museum; Specialty museum Caen Memorial (Le Memorial de Caen), Mont-St-Michel, Basse-Normandie Attraction type: History museum; Military museum St. Maclou's Church, Rouen, Haute-Normandie A beautifully ornate Gothic church located on the Rue Saint-Romain. Attraction type: Religious site; Architectural building Chateau-Musee, Dieppe, Haute-Normandie Attraction type: Castle Benedectine Palace (Palais de la Benedictine), Fecamp, Basse-Normandie Attraction type: Historic site; Factory tour Musee des Beaux Arts Andre Malraux, Le Havre, Haute-Normandie Attraction type: Art museum Saint Catherine's Church, Honfleur, Haute-Normandie This famous 15th-century cathedral is the largest surviving wooden church in France. Attraction type: Religious site; Landmark/point of interest Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen, Rouen, Haute-Normandie This stunning Gothic structure is considered by some to be the town's most important architectural landmark. Attraction type: Religious site; Architectural building; Landmark/point of interest

Normandy History

Normandy was the home of the Normans in the early Middle Ages, the last people to successfully invade England. The Normans were a mixture of the indigenous Gauls and of the Viking invaders under the leadership of Rollo (Gange Rolf), who besieged Paris and was given the area of Normandy (Treaty of St.-Claire-sur-Epte, 911) in return for defending it against future pirate attacks.

Rollo's descendant William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England in 1066 and became king William I of England. Normandy remained associated with England until 1087, in 1106-1144 and in 1154-1204. Also see the Battle of Bouvines in 1214. Normandy was occupied by English forces during the Hundred Years' War in 1346-1360 and again in 1415-1450.

Norman families, such as that of Tancred of Hauteville played important parts in the Crusades and established a kingdom in Sicily and the south of Italy.

Both Wace and Orderic Vitalis are important Norman writers for the history of the province.

Jean de Béthencourt conquered and ruled the Canary Islands in the 15th century.

Prosperity returned to Normandy after the Hundred Years' War until the Wars of Religion when many Norman town (Alençon, Rouen, Caen, Coutances, Bayeux) joined the Reformation and battles ensued throughout the province. During the French Revolution, Normandy generally supported the idea of a Federal republic against the highly centralised conception championed by the Jacobins in Paris.

During World War II, the town of Dieppe was the site of the ill-fated Dieppe Raid by Canadian and British units in 1942. Later, Normandy was also the site of the Normandy Invasion or Operation Overlord that began on June 6, 1944, which today is also known as D-Day. This was the successful invasion of German-occupied France by Allied troops. Caen, Cherbourg, Carentan, and other Norman towns endured many casualties in the fight for the province, which continued until the liberation of Le Havre on September 12.

Channel Islands

Since the Channel Islands have remained loyal to the English Crown since the division of Normandy in 1204, yet are not part of the UK but rather the Duchy of Normandy, the British monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II) is toasted as Duke of Normandy. However, she is not regarded as Duke of Normandy outside her realms since claims by English monarchs to the title were given up by the Treaty of Paris of 1259. Additionally, the rights of succession to that title are subject to Salic Law, which does not allow for female inheritance of the ducal title.