What to do in Normandy?

The Bessin coast leads you in the footsteps of William the Conqueror: fortified farms, abbeys, medieval fortresses, and manor houses abound. From the Ducal Castle in Caen to William the Conqueror's castle in Falaise, relive the epic story of this local hero. Step back in time to the Middle Ages at the Château de Crèvecœur-en-Auge, home to the annual Medieval Festival.

At the Manoir d'Argouges, a rare architectural ensemble combining medieval and Renaissance styles, let the owner whisk you away on a journey through time to discover the ancient legend of the Fairy of Argouges.

Those interested can extend this journey through history and architecture by visiting Balleroy, designed by the architect François Mansart, the Renaissance Château de Fontaine-Henry with its beautiful sculpted facades, and the 18th-century castles of Bénouville, Pontécoulant, and Vendeuvre.

Finally, to admire the most Norman of the castles in Calvados, head towards Saint-Germain-de-Livet, south of Lisieux.

A land of nature, Calvados boasts several remarkable gardens, offering many opportunities for memorable visits. The Caen Botanical Garden, a veritable living museum, preserves over 8,000 species and houses an exotic greenhouse. The gardens of Vendeuvre Castle are distinguished by their water theme.

Near Bayeux, the Castillon Gardens, with their succession of themed gardens, invite leisurely strolls. The gardens of Brécy Castle are a beautiful example of a French formal garden on terraces, unique in Normandy. In Balleroy, visit the Jardin des Oubliés (Garden of the Forgotten), preferably in June, to admire the old Norman roses.

In the gardens of the Pays d'Auge in Cambremer, discover Norman architecture. Considered one of the jewels of Calvados, the gardens of Mézidon-Canon feature Carthusian monasteries and walled gardens, unique in France. Finally, the gardens of Boutemont Castle, north of Lisieux, are among the most beautiful in Calvados.

The Normandy countryside invites you to discover its products. During your excursions into the hinterland, don't hesitate to stop at local producers and farmers' farms. The apple and pear trees lining the roads have found a perfect home in Normandy. They supply the region's cider houses and distilleries where you can taste apple juice, cider, perry, pommeau, or calvados.

In the plains and hedged farmlands, in the rolling, verdant meadows, Norman cows produce the rich milk used to make the famous AOC cheeses: Camembert, Livarot, and Pont-l'Évêque, as well as the cream and butter of Isigny-sur-Mer. Numerous cheese dairies welcome visitors and explain all the secrets of their production.

On the coast, oyster farmers offer guided tours of their oyster beds, where the renowned cupped oysters are cultivated. You can even go to the fish market to buy your fish caught that very night.

The "Côte Fleurie" refers to the Normandy coast of the Pays d'Auge region, bathed by the English Channel. Its name evokes the charming countryside of the hinterland and the numerous seaside resorts that dot it.

Deauville, the most famous and elegant, continues to captivate. Its legendary boardwalk, horse races, yearling sale in August, polo tournaments, and American Film Festival in early September attract a multitude of summer visitors. A

more family-oriented seaside resort, Trouville-sur-Mer, lies next to Deauville. After enjoying the pleasures of the beach, take advantage of the lively atmosphere of its fishing port while savoring an ice cream or sipping a drink.

Cabourg owes its reputation to the personalities it has welcomed, first and foremost Proust, whose memory permeates the small resort. Like Trouville, it is distinguished by its incredible and splendid array of architecture. The world of cinema gathers there every year for the Cabourg Film Festival, the Romantic and European Days of Cabourg.

Honfleur offers a delightful stop on the Côte Fleurie. Its quays and basins, the Church of Saint Catherine, its old streets and typical houses, the Chapel of Our Lady, not to mention the Hôpital lighthouse, the shipyard, and the Seine estuary, have been an inexhaustible source of inspiration for painters since the 1820s. It was primarily around Boudin, Jongkind, and Monet that a true artistic community formed and established itself there. From there to making this small Norman port the cradle of Impressionism is but a small step, one that some would like to take!

It is still possible today to admire the sites depicted by 19th-century artists, in particular the Vieux-Bassin (Old Basin), the church, and the Saint-Simon inn, perched on the town's heights, which was a gathering place for all the painters, as well as musicians, poets, and writers…

Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy's top tourist destination, truly deserves its nickname, "Wonder of the West." This magnificent site, built in the 8th century on a rocky islet in the heart of a vast bay, is unique. Since 2015, it has regained its maritime character, and during spring tides, it once again becomes an island separated from the mainland. From the bay or from the summit of the Mont, you can admire the spectacle of these spring tides, the largest in continental Europe.

Crossing the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel with an experienced guide is, of course, an experience not to be missed before discovering the Mont and its abbey, one of the most extraordinary examples of religious architecture. The abbey and its outbuildings are listed as historical monuments, while the town and the bay have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Mont-Saint-Michel is located approximately 130 kilometers from La Chenevière.

From La Chenevière, you can explore the Bessin coast. Here, the D-Day landing beaches unfold, a must-see tourist destination.

In the heart of the landing zone, Arromanches preserves the remains of the artificial harbor. A little further along, Omaha Beach (from Colleville-sur-Mer to Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer) is dominated by the American Cemetery. Pointe du Hoc, before Utah Beach, and Sainte-Mère-Église are also among the sites marked by the Allied landings in Normandy on June 6, 1944. All house museums or memorials dedicated to this pivotal moment in history. These sites recount the events of D-Day, from its preparation to its execution. You will also find numerous artifacts from the past: uniforms and personal belongings, vehicles, cannons, archival photographs, and more.

The hotel can organize guided e-bike tours of the landing beaches.

Located 10 kilometers from La Chenevière, the town of Bayeux is famous for its 11th-century tapestry, which recounts the story of William the Conqueror's conquest of England in 1066. Besides this remarkable work, inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2007, the town boasts a rich and well-preserved architectural heritage.

Its medieval historic center features half-timbered houses, towered mansions, grand residences, and elegant townhouses. Don't miss Notre-Dame Cathedral, a Norman gem blending Romanesque and Gothic architecture. It was to decorate the nave of this cathedral that Odo commissioned the famous Bayeux Tapestry.

Bayeux also houses several World War II memorials, three museums, a botanical garden, and a pleasant walk along the banks of the Aure River, offering a unique way to discover the town and its heritage.