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.

Septembre Musical de l’Orne

Churches, abbeys and châteaux throughout the Orne provide atmospheric settings for a varied programme that includes opera, chamber music, jazz and dance.
Sightseeing

Children under six can visit many sights free; tickets for under-12s are usually reduced-price.
Souterroscope, Caumont-l’Eventé

With 125 m (410 ft) of tunnels, strange rocks, beautiful minerals and even an underground rainbow, this former slate mine is a good choice for a rainy day.
St Anselm

Philosopher-monk (1033– 1109) who joined Lanfranc at Bec and succeeded him as Archbishop of Canterbury.
St Aubert

Bishop of Avranches, to whom, legend has it, the Archangel Gabriel appeared in 708, ordering him to build a chapel on Mont St-Michel.
St Ouen

Credited with reviving Christian zeal in the Rouen region, as a result of which several abbeys were founded.
St Philibert

Gascon court favourite and protégé of St Ouen. Founded Jumièges in the 7th century.
St Therèse Martin

Deeply spiritual young nun (1873–97) whose shrine at Lisieux is venerated.
St Wandrille

The nobleman founder (in 649) of the eponymous abbey. Known as God’s True Athlete for his remarkable physique.
St-Céneri-le-Gérei

This ravishing village has a memorable setting. Crowned by a fine Romanesque church, its stone houses overlook the gentle River Sarthe as it flows around a rocky promontory on the edge of the Alpes Mancelles.