Normandy

Normandy rests on the north coast of France, with an attractive granite cliff coastline to the west and limestone cliffs to the east. Its beaches stretching along the coastline and pleasant, undulating countryside are suitable for dairy farming and fruit growing. Known for its cheese, butter and cream, Normandy also produces cider and calvados made from fermented apples. Being on the coast, it also offers excellent fish and seafood. 

Rouen, the capital of Normandy, is a well-preserved medieval city. It is best known for its stunning cathedral, built between the 12th and 16th centuries with its Gothic facade and the subject of a series of paintings by Claude Monet. There are several museums in Rouen, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Maritime Museum, the Museum of Antiquities, the Ceramics Museum, and Historical Jeanne d’Arc Rouen, an immersive theatre experience walking you through the dramatic story of Joan of Arc’s life, triumphs, and the Rouen trial that ultimately led to her being burned at the stake for heresy. 

Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, and it is a handy launch point for visiting the Normandy D-Day beaches. Surrounded by a moat, the Chateau de Caen is home to the Normandy Museum, with exhibitions depicting the everyday lives of the Norman peasants. 

On D-Day (June 6, 1944), the Allied Forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, changing the course of the war. Today, they are the site of many memorials and museums in memory of those who fought and died there, including Juno Beach, where the Canadian forces landed, Omaha Beach and Utah Beach, where the US troops primarily landed, and Gold Beach and Sword Beach. The Normandy American Cemetery is located close by and was the first American cemetery on European soil during World War II.