DK Travel : Normandy

Normandy brings a dozen different images to mind: William the Conqueror, the D-Day landings, Mont-St-Michel; the bleak landscape of the Cotentin coast, the sparkling summertime playground of the Côte Fleurie; sumptuous châteaux, historic abbeys, famous gardens; the orchards of the Auge, the picture-postcard scenery of the Suisse Normande; Monet’s home at Giverny, the Cabourg immortalized by Proust – or perhaps it’s cider, calvados and camembert. Whatever your list, it will barely scratch the surface of this rich and rewarding region.

La Hague Peninsula

The coastal path GR223 passes the dramatic Nez de Jobourg.
La Maison du Camembert, Camembert

Dedicated to Normandy’s famous cheese, with a reconstruction of an old production plant.
La Marine, Arromanches

On the seafront opposite the D-Day Musée du Débarquement, this is a popular base for visiting the landing beaches. It has a pleasant seafood restaurant, simple bedrooms, and an unfussy, old-fashioned air.
La Mère Poulard, Mont-St-Michel

In late 2003, leading Norman chef Michel Bruneau and his wife Françoise set up kitchen in this Mont-St-Michel institution, home of the famous Omelette de la Mère Poulard. Thanks to his skills, the restaurant has been revived as a culinary hotspot where regional cooking is raised to the heights. Views of the bay are of an equally high standard.
La Palais de la Miniature, Verneuil-sur-Arve

In Claude Alexandre’s fascinating world of miniature soldiers, each figure is hand-crafted.
La Plage, Les Petites-Dalles

Right by the beach, mussels and oysters stud the menus here – but meat-lovers are never forgotten.
La Régence, Cherbourg

Facing the quay, this popular bistro offers small, plain rooms, some with kitchenettes, in a quiet annexe. It makes a decent base in a town not noted for its hotels.
La Suisse Normande

Centred around the River Orne, this region of gentle hills, rocky cliffs, woods and charming villages is hardly reminiscent of Switzerland, but still attracts its share of hikers and tourists. Well placed for exploring, the capital Clécy is also a centre for climbing, canoeing and hang-gliding.
La Suisse Normande

Hardly the Alps, but this popular, scenic region is as close to Switzerland as Normandy gets, and is very different from the typical Norman landscape. On its winding northwesterly course, the River Orne has cut through the massif , creating steep banks and the occasional severe peak. The scenery along the valley is among Normandy’s most striking. None of the “heights” are really that high, but they provide some dizzying views – and plenty of scope for outdoor pursuits. Many come for the canoeing, walking, fishing or rock-climbing; others come to hang-glide off the Pain de Sucre. Another high point is the craggy Roche d’Oëtre, with magnificent views over the Rouvre gorges and beyond. The principal tourist centres are Thury-Harcourt, Pont-d’Ouilly and Clécy.
La Suisse Normande

Rugged walking country, with great views from the Roche d’Oëtre.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €30
- €30–€40
- €40–€50
- €50–€60
- over €60
Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €60
- €60–€100
- €100–€150
- €150–€250
- over €250