Normandy is a part of northern France, with many natural beauties, attractions and a rich history and culture. The former Duchy of Normandy exudes tranquility and beauty with its lush greenery, traditional settlements and beautiful beaches.
It is located in the north of France and it covers the upper reaches of the river Seine and its estuaries, areas north of Paris and to the west the Cotentin peninsula, where the port of Cherbourg is located. It is divided into two large divisions, the Upper (Haute Normandie) and the Lower Normandy (Basse Normandie). In the first is the largest city Rouen, but also Le Havre. In Lower Normandy, the largest city is Caen.
The area has a long history, dating back to the 3rd century BC, when it was conquered by Gauls who came from neighboring Belgium, then being a Roman possession and later, in the possession of English kings, who also bore the title of Duke of Normandy.
This was the final battle that marked the end of World War II and the defeat of Hitler's Nazi forces on the Western Front.
Normandy is also an area that loves art and culture. Some of the most important Roman and Gothic buildings in Normandy are located on the banks of the Seine, and this is where modern art was "born", as the Impressionists gathered here to paint on the canvas the pearly sky above the river and its estuary. .
Upper Normandy reaches the English Channel, ending in white, impressive cliffs, quiet seaside resorts and busy ports such as Dieppe, Etretat and Fécamp. The twisting Seine passes between forests, rocks, monasteries and castles at the top of hills. On both banks is the city of Rouen, once the capital of the Duchy.
Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy, is one of the most attractive places in northern France. In the old town center, on the north side of the Seine, you will wander the beautiful cobbled streets with beautiful wooden and stone houses and admire many elegant, Gothic churches.
Rouen Cathedral is perhaps best known for its relationship with the painter Claude Monet. The "father of Impressionism" often sat in the square to paint the impressive temple. An example can be seen in the Musée des Beaux Arts, where many works of the Impressionists, who loved this area so much, are exhibited.
Le Havre is a port on the English Channel, the second largest port in France after Marseille in the south and has canals with a total length of 24 km. It is a city with a rich historical and artistic background, with a multitude of museums, due to the fact that it is the birthplace of Impressionism. In 2005 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, due to the coexistence of the old plan of the city and its historic structures with modern architecture and urban planning.
The much photographed and iconic Mont Saint Michel is a rocky island located about 1 km off the coast, close to neighboring Brittany and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stone walls rise as part of the natural rock of the island and inside, the monastery impresses, with the gilded statue of the Archangel Michael at the top of the bell tower. The monastery was used as a prison during the reign of Napoleon I, was restored after 1863 and was connected to the mainland by an elevated path. Twice a month the tide phenomenon occurs there and at the equator the phenomenon is particularly intense as the sea floods the entire area around the islet, leaving little of the main road to the islet. The tide of Mont Saint Michel is the highest in Europe, as the water level during the flood can reach 15 meters.
Normandy is also known for its cuisine and especially for the variety of its dairy products, shellfish and good quality meats, as well as fruits such as cherries, pears and apples. Some of the most famous French cheeses come from Normandy, including Camembert, Pont l'Evêque, Livarot and Neufchâtel (usually heart-shaped). Normandy butter is also among the best and is exported throughout France and abroad.
