DK Travel : Normandy : Outdoor

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Forêt d’Écouves

With its dense thickets of oak, beech and imported spruce and Scots pine covering the eastern end of the hills of BasseNormandie, at 140 sq km (54 sq miles), this is the region’s largest, wildest and arguably most beautiful forest. It supports a varied wildlife, including rare birds, deer and boar. Tucked away in Bois de Goult is a charming 11th-century chapel, frescoed with hunting scenes.
Forêt d’Eu

This forest of beeches and many more exotic trees covers three large plateaux: Triage Forêt d’Eu, Haute Forêt d’Eu and Basse Forêt d’Eu. Among the highlights are a spectacular view of the Yères Valley from Poteau de Ste-Cathérine, and a pair of intertwined oak and beech trees, known as the bonne entente (happy couple).
Golf

Golfers are spoilt for choice in Normandy, which has 37 courses – 23 of them with 18 holes or more. Notable ones include Golf d’Étretat, situated on the clifftop above the famous Falaise d’Aval (see Étretat), and Golf de Saint-Saëns, with beautiful views over the Forêt d’Eawy. Deauville has no less than three top courses, and there are fine 27-hole courses at Omaha Beach and Granville.
Horse Riding

Normandy has many equestrian centres – especially in the Orne, where, for example, Le Village du Cheval in St-Michel-des-Andaines offers a wide variety of horsey activities. You can take a full-blown trekking holiday or just a few hours’ ride (see On Horseback).
Jardin des Plantes, Rouen

These tranquil public gardens in the heart of the city house a large and important botanical collection, with formal flowerbeds, rare trees, hothouses, orangery, rose garden, rockery, and a collection of medicinal plants.
Jardin d’Elle

This is a modern landscaped garden with a maze of individually themed areas leading one into another, and more than 2,500 varieties of plants and trees on display.
Jardins de Bellevue

Two national collections – of Meconopsis (Himalayan blue poppy) and Helleborus Orientalis (Lenten rose) – are included in these lovely year-round gardens facing the Forêt d’Eawy.
Jardins d’Argences

In a little valley near Coutances, the 17th-century Manoir d’Argences is surrounded by eight charming and distinctive gardens, connected by water.
La Hague Peninsula

The coastal path GR223 passes the dramatic Nez de Jobourg.
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.