Attractions of Normandy: description and features of the region

Normandy - one of the most poetic corners of France with landscapes of pastel tones, century-old trees, idyllic villages and rocks on the coast of the English Channel. Here he wrote his paintings of Claude Monet, sought the inspiration of Flaubert, Corneille, Proust. What is interesting about Normandy? Attractions, photos and descriptions of the region you will find in this article.

Viking Land

Normandy is a modern region of the French Republic, as well as its historical region. This is the birthplace of Blaise Pascal, Gustave Flaubert, Claude Monet, Pierre Corneille and other famous personalities.

The region is located in the north of the country, it is crossed by one of the largest rivers of France - the Seine. From the northwest it is washed by the English Channel, on land it adjoins to Brittany, the Loire Valley, the Ile-de-France and O-de-France.

The first known people who settled on these lands were the Gauls. As it often happened, they were captured by the Romans, and later by the Frankish state. In the 9th century, Charlemagne gave the territory to the Vikings or the Normans. The Viking leader Robert of Normandy turned the land into his duchy. Thanks to him, for the region for a long time the name "Normandy" was fixed.

Places of interest in Normandy will appeal to many. This is the sea resorts of Dieppe, Deauville, Fecan with beautiful beaches, expensive restaurants and yachts, and the humble villages and medieval towns of Vernon, Louviers, Honfleur, Evreux. Only in Normandy they produce real apple cider Calvados and mold cheese Camembert, Pont-l'Eveque, Livaro.

Normandy, France: attractions

Now Normandy is a whole region with its capital in the city of Rouen. Historically, it is divided into two separate areas called Lower and Upper Normandy. The sights of Lower Normandy are very contrasting. The region includes the departments of Calvados, Orne and Manche. The main city is Kahn - the monastery of the Conqueror's Guild, where his castle still stands.

The communes of Trouville and Deauville are popular thanks to the splendid beaches, festivals and fine dining in restaurants. Calvados is also famous for its beaches, although history lovers come here more often. On the coast of the department in 1944, there was a battle for Normandy. Memory of this is kept by the memorial, the Battle Museum and military cemeteries.

The sights of the Normandy of the Upper are no less interesting. The region includes the departments of Er and the Maritime Seine. The administrative center is Rouen, the city where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Now in this place is a church dedicated to her, after the church recognized her reckless act.

Upper Normandy is known for exemplary gothic and half-timbered architecture, numerous museums and theaters, its dairy products, and parks and gardens, which are more than 50. Impressionism was born on its green valleys and rocky coasts from Claude Monet. His house and grave is in the town of Zhyvenny.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Attractions of Normandy can be studied for months. Among the most exciting places can be called Mont Saint-Michel - an island of rocks, turned into a fortress city. Above the sea level, it rises almost 79 meters. The city was built in 709 on natural granite.

Mont-Saint-Michel seems to emerge from the earth in the middle of a flat coastal landscape. During the tides, it is surrounded by water for 8-9 hours, which rises to 15 meters in height. At low tides, it leaves the cliff for 20 kilometers. Such natural protection, served as a reliable ally of the ascetic city.

In the early Christian times here came hermits to fully devote their lives to prayer. Because of their numerous remains, the mountain was named Mogilnaya. Later on a hillside built a monastery, which then became an abbey. Once it was completely burned, then restored and turned into a political prison.

Now the abbey belongs to the Benedictines and is used for its intended purpose. And the scriptwriters of The Lord of the Rings even wrote off his image for the fortress of Minas Tirith.

The Castle of Bomenil

Attractions of Normandy are also represented by palace and park complexes. The Castle de Bomenel, located in the department of Ayr, is noteworthy for its architecture and adjoining park. It belongs to the Upper Normandy and was built in the era of King Louis XIII from 1633 to 1640.

Combining the features of the Renaissance and the then popular Florentine style, Bomenel is in no way inferior to Versailles in beauty. It is built of pink brick, magnificently decorated with pediments of various forms and mascarons, the subjects for which are taken from the Italian comedy.

The castle is surrounded by a pond with fountains, symmetrical flower beds and sculptures. On the territory of the complex there is also a park with a boxwood maze and a small garden, which can be accessed through a stone arch, green with greens.