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Formerly a French province, Normandy [Normandie], with its old capital at Rouen, is now divided into two regions
bordering on the English Channel: Upper Normandy [Haute-Normandie] and Lower Normandy [Basse-Normandie].
Lush rolling pastures, cows grazing among the orchards... Normandy almost shouts ‘slow down’ at the
visitor – if it was ever to shout anything. Despite an annual tourist invasion every year the region
remains largely untouched - an unspoilt paradise.
Haute Normandie is easy to reach from its ports Le Hâvre and Dieppe although, thanks to the improved
motorway network, Rouen is only a little over two hours from Calais.
Arriving in Basse Normandie across the mammoth Pont de Normandie, the road leads straight to the painters’
paradise Honfleur with its picture book harbour. Along the coast, Deauville still attracts the Paris crowds.
Ferries from the UK sail to Caen-Ouistreham and Cherbourg making it easy to head south to Mont St Michel.
- Regional information for Calvados, Normandy
The department of Calvados is famed for its pastoral land producing products such as butter, cheese, and cider
and of course the intoxicating apple brandy known as Calvados.
- Regional information for Eure, Normandy
Follow the Seine southeast from Honfleur to the department of Eure with great cycling roads lined with timbered farmhouses.
- Regional information for Manche, Normandy
The Manche department is surrounded on three sides by the English Channel (La Manche). The 320km coastline make's
it perfect for touring by car or bicycle.
- Regional information for Orne, Normandy
Orne occupies part of inland Normandy - known for its meadows, orchards, forests of oak and beech trees,
rivers, half-timbered houses, and traditional farmhouses.
- Regional information for Seine Maritime, Normandy
Normandy derives its name from the Viking Norsemen who sailed up the river Seine in the 9th Century. They settled
in Rouen in the department of Seine Maritime.
- Normandy food and drink
Normandy is the land of Calvados brandy and apple cider [bon bere]. It is well known for its rich butter,
cream and other dairy products.
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