France / The Channel, Picardy & Normandy

Without The Channel separating the world's best enemies, the French may have had a shot at the World Rugby Championships, a break for 5 O'Clock tea in Lyon or “cuisses de grenouilles” in Liverpool. Would Georges Brassens have been destined to sing in duo with the Beatles? Without ‘La Manche’ we would not be able to admire the intoxicating landscapes the sea has sculpted into the northern tip of France! The unimaginable play of light, the abundance of birdlife in the Bay of Somme, the cliffs of Etretat or yet the unique environment surrounding Mont St. Michel. On the beaches you are invited to discover the impressive sites of D-Day still engraved in history, where vast stretches of soft sand on the Opal Coast anxiously welcome the land yachts gliding along in the midst of the multitude of kites. Do not leave without exploring the fascinating inland area, where verdant countryside and Gothic masterpieces are just waiting to be explored.

TO VISIT

Normandy Landings
The Landing Beaches of D-Day (Omaha and Utah Beaches), Sainte Mère l'Eglise or the Caen Memorial take you back to June 1944, to the saga of the Normandy landings of the allied forces.

The Ornithological Reserve of Marquenterre
Positioned in the Bay of Somme and classed a World Heritage Site, hundreds of birds can be spotted, certain of which are protected.

Saint Omer
A pretty town surrounded by a protected marshland.

Mont Saint Michel
This “wonder” of the medieval world, stands proudly in the waters opposite Cancale.

Valloire Abbey
A 12th century abbey, famous for its beautiful gardens.

Saint Malo
A charming fortified town.

Cité de la Mer at Cherbourg
This museum is devoted to the sea, notably home to the world's deepest aquarium.

Honfleur
A timeless quaint town made famous by the artists who passed through, such as Monet and Courbet.

TO DO

Golf
The expansive lush green fields that border La Manche are a golfer's paradise, offering excellent conditions for creating beautiful courses.

Fishing
The entire coastal region is an excellent destination for sea fishing and Normandy is a prime choice for a good sea trout catch.

Sand yacht, Kite flying
The long soft sandy beaches of the Channel are the ideal
spot for these fun activities.

TO SAMPLE

Apples of Normandy
Most regional dishes and beverages use apples as their base; in particular Calvados and cider.

Cheese
The famous Camembert of Normandy, the Trappist cheese or the “boulette” of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais.

Mussels & Chips
It's difficult to spend a holiday in this region without trying this local speciality!

Different brands of beer in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais
At the beginning of the 20th century each village was home to its own brewery. They have now almost all disappeared, but there are still a few brewers carrying on this tradition.

Butter and succulent Isigny Toffees.