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Only after flirtations with Impressionism and Fauvism did Dufy (1877–1953), a native of Le Havre, find his own style, using vivid, pure colour. His favourite subjects include carefree, ephemeral scenes on beaches, at horse races or regattas, and in the coastal towns of Normandy.

Richard (1157–99) became duke of Normandy in 1189. In 1196, he built Château Gaillard to protect Rouen.

What little is known about the poet Robert Wace (c. 1115–c. 1183) comes from his last work, Roman de Rou , a verse history of the dukes of Normandy. Educated in Caen, he wrote his romances for the great and good there.

After signing the Treaty of St-Clair-sur-Epte, Viking leader Hrølf (c.854–928) became Rollo, first duke of Normandy.

In Normandy, épis de faitage , often coloured and ending either in a simple point or topped by a bird, are much admired. Seen to best effect on the fantastical 19th-century villas of Deauville, they can also be spotted in the Bayeux Tapestry. You could have one too: at Poterie du Mesnil de Bavent in Ranville, ceramic finials have been hand-produced since 1842 (see Poterie du Mesnil de Bavent, Ranville).

Painted between 1891 and 1895. One is displayed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts, Rouen, others in the Musée d’Orsay, Paris.

Faïence (earthenware with a white tin glaze that can then be decorated) was introduced to Rouen by Masséot Abaquesne in the mid-16th century. It flowered into a fine art, before ceasing in the 1780s with the advent of imported chinaware. Beautiful examples can be seen in the Musée de la Céramique in Rouen, and modern copies are on sale all over town (see Faïencerie Augy, Rouen).

Explorer de Champlain (1567–1635) set out from Honfleur to found Quebec.

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

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