Vauville Botanical Garden is tucked away on the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy. It looks out onto the Channel Islands and the headland known at Le Nez de Jobourg. Visiting the garden is very much like entering a Tardis as 11 acres unfold in front of you. The site benefits from a microclimate where the evergreen…
Where’s the best place for pancakes in Normandy? This is the question news organisation, Côté Manche, asked their Facebook fans. Here’s their pick of the best places in and around Coutances. If you want a relatively quick and informal meal then finding a crêperie is a safe bet. Both savoury and sweet pancakes will be…
Looking for ideas for what to do during October in Normandy? A weekend in mid to late October is when La Foire Saint-Luc. The fair is held just outside Gavray and is a typical Normandy country fair. More than 600 exhibitors and 100,000 visitors are usually expected over the three days. The fair is one…
Discover historic Bayeux in the video below that showcases this wonderful medieval town in Normandy. The cathedral, water mill and tapestry are shown. However, there are more sites to see and you can walk in the footsteps of William the Conqueror as you stroll the streets. The video is part of a series of 30…
Travelling to Jersey from Normandy is a really easy trip to make. I travelled there recently courtesy of Manche Isles Express so I could experience what it’s like. You can make your reservation and pay either by internet, or the phone or at one of ticket offices. Their website is here. Prices start from 34 euros…
Lessay Abbey is an 11th century Benedictine monastery in Normandy. It was built in the Romanesque style and features an early example of the rib vault. The abbey church was founded in 1056. It suffered enormous damage in 1356 during the Hundred Years War. The damage was repaired and it survived until 1944. It wasn’t…
The Bayeux Liberty Tree is a sound and light show that takes place every July and August. Visitors flock to Place de la Liberté as dusk falls to enjoy the evening spectacle. It usually only happens on selected evenings so please check the timings . Place de la Liberté is right next to the cathedral…
Galerie Sur Le Pont is a recently established art gallery in Gavray in Normandy. There are two rooms dedicated to the gallery where you can browse and purchase artwork from local artists. There’s a wide range of styles and techniques on display and entry to the gallery is free. You can also take art classes…
The Gavray market happens every Saturday morning from around 8.30am – 1pm. It’s not a huge market but is very much a focal point for residents. It’s a great event for visitors to really experience rural village life. The majority of stalls are in the square near to the church. They are predominantly fruit and…
The recently installed Arromanches D Day garden pays tribute to the veterans of the Battle of Normandy. The garden is known as D-Day 75 Garden and was first exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Garden Show in May 2019. It was officially opened at its new permanent site in Arromanches on the 75th anniversary of D-Day….
Introduction In the quiet village of Longues sur Mer is a beautiful Benedictine abbey dating from the 12th century. The Abbaye de Longues or Abbaye Saint-Marie is nestled on the road leading to Bayeux. Although it’s not far from the Omaha and Gold D-Day landing beaches it wasn’t bombed during the Battle of Normandy. It…
There’s a family friendly farm less than 10 minutes from Gavray that’s suitable for younger guests. It’s called La Ferme de Lucie and is run by Céline and Benoît Hachler in Le Mesnil Rogues. I was kindly allowed to take photos of the animals which included goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits, lambs, llamas and peacocks. Some…
English (UK) 
Français