Normandy: A land of history and terroir far from boring

On 6 June 1944, the Americans did not land on the beaches of Normandy for a holiday. Omaha Beach, Utah and Arromanches were the scene, on that day, of one of the most important moments in the history of Europe and France. Thanks to this landing, the Second World War came to an end. What remains of this event are the beaches, of course, and some of the scars that can be seen in the heart of towns whose architecture was turned upside down by the bombardments (Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Falaise, Saint-Lô) and the Caen Memorial. A place of remembrance, the Normandy region fortunately preserves more than just the traces of this terrible conflict.

The famous Mont-Saint-Michel bears witness to this, as it is the most visited monument in France. It's easy to see why when you come face to face with this immense rock, almost entirely built, rising to a height of 170 metres! An outstanding example of the skills of craftsmen in the Middle Ages, Mont Saint Michel is not the only remarkable monument, even if it remains the most important in Normandy. There's also the Gros-Horloge in Rouen, a giant Renaissance clock face, and the Sanctuaire Saint-Thérèse in Lisieux, an immense Basilica of dazzling white.

This region has seen the development of great architectural styles. It was even a precursor, heralding the arrival of Gothic art with the Norman school, whose masterpieces include the church of Saint Nicolas in Caen, Bayeux Cathedral and the Lessay abbeys. Gothic cathedrals in Normandy also produced such gems as Saint-Georges de Boscherville Abbey and the Palais de Justice in Rouen. The latter city, which Victor Hugo called "the city of a hundred steeples", also boasts a gigantic Gothic cathedral: Notre-Dame-De-l'Assomption. One of the cathedral's towers, the Butter Tower, so named because its light colour stands out from the rest, inspired the construction of the famous Tribune Tower in Chicago. Today, the building stands as a testament across the Atlantic to the magnificence of Norman architecture. Art then moved to Giverny, with Claude Monet, whose gardens (on canvas) now sell for millions and attract thousands of visitors, along with the Museum of American Art.

Just like Deauville, with its film festival, boardwalk, grand hotels and races, which opens onto the fabulous Côte de Nacre from Caen and the Côte Fleurie from Trouville to Honfleur. The cliffs of Etretat are not to be outdone. The latter have inspired many a famous artist, starting with Maurice Leblanc and his famous character Arsène Lupin, who hides his treasures in thehollow needle. But also Monet and his famous painting of the Manneporte d'Etretat.

As you stroll along this seafront with your nose in the wind, your stomach opens up too! When it comes to gastronomy, Normandy is as generous and varied as its architecture and nature: camembert, andouille, teurgoule, apples, cider, seafood or pre-salted leg of lamb...

With all that, it's easy to see why it was so important to liberate this region first! After all, Normandy is the second most visited region in the world's most touristic country.