CALVADOS – NORMANDY
Calvados resplendent in history, excels in retelling its past glories. Elegant 19th Century resorts, D-Day landing beaches and sombre World War II cemeteries, William the Conqueror, the Bayeux tapestry the list of attractions is endless.
Gastronomic delights form the backbone of this region, cheeses, oysters, bread and not forgetting the liquor which bears the departments name, Calvados the strong apple liquor, tempt you at every turn.
MAIN TOWNS OF CALVADOS NORMANDY
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Tucked between two high cliffs, this bustling little fishing port has a thriving fishing industry, and sea front with hotels, restaurants and cafes. Read more on Port-en-Bessin or return to Calvados Map
Website: www.bayeux-bessin-tourism.com
B. Bayeux
Narrow streets of mellow stone and timbered houses, a mill overhanging a fast flowing stream, all lie in the shadow of Bayeux’s gothic Cathedral de Notre Dame. Built by Odo, half brother to William the Conqueror in 1077, the cathedral has its original towers and spires, 12th century arcades, and some interesting frescoes depicting the murder if Thomas A’Beckett.
Read more on Bayeux or return to Calvados map
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C. Arromanches-Les-Bains
The town of Arromanches is a cheerful place, its long expanse of sand, boarded by lively streets with bars and brasseries. Read more on Arromanches or return to Calvados map
D. Caen
This bustling city is a hive of attractions, great shops and eating places. In the centre of the city, William the conquerors castle stands, resting upon a rocky eminence surrounded by a dry grassy moat. On either side of the castle walls stand the Abbaye Aux Dames and Abbaye Aux Hommes, built around 1060 next to which stands sentient the spires of Saint- Etienne. Read more on Caen or return to Calvados map
Website: www.caen.fr/tourisme
E. Ouistraham-Riva-Bella
Ouistraham is the city of Caens ferry port, but is also a holiday resort with a huge silver beach. Read more on Ouistreham or return to Calvados map
F. Cabourg
Cabourgs vast beach and promenade is dominated by the Grand Hotel. Marcel Proust stayed at the Grand numerous times between 1881 and 1914 and indeed the very promenade on which it stands bears his name. Read more on Cabourg or return to Calvados map
Website: www.cabourg.net
G. Deauville
Deauville exudes elegance and quality and is a meeting place for the rich and famous. With its bright sandy beach, dotted with colourful umbrellas and beach huts the resort it makes an ideal destination. Read more on Deauville or return to Calvados map
Website: www.deauville.org
H. Trouville
A busy holiday resort, established after Napolean III brought his court here in the 19th century. A long promenade separates the long sandy beach with a line of spectacular villas which exudes the era of the Belle-Epoque. Read more on Trouville or return to Calvados Map
Website: www.trouvillesurmer.org
I. Honfleur
The port of Honfleur has a long history, its heyday being in the 17th century, when Samuel de Champlain set sail to Quebec, Canada from here, leaving behind its pretty wooden buildings reflected in the waters of the Vieux Bassin. A maze of streets, full galleries rise to the unusual 15th century wooden church of Sainte-Catherine. Read more on Honfleur or return to Calvados map
Website: www.othonfleur.fr
J. Lisieux
The little town of Lisieux has prospered greatly due to thousands of pilgrims who flock to venerate Sainte Therese, Frances second patron saint. Therese Martin was born at Alecon in 1873, spent the last nine years of her life in the Carmelite convent in Lisieux and was known for her meekness and quiet resolute faith. Read more on Lisieux return to Calvados map
Website: www.lisieux-tourisme.com
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The mighty chateau at Falaise which towers above the Ante river was the birthplace of William the Conqueror and was built by the powerful Dukes of Normandy in the 11th and 12th centuries. Read more on Falaise or return to Calvados map
Website: www.otsifalaise.com
L. Vire
Stretching along the banks of the River Vire, on its granite promontory stands the little town of Vire. Unfortunately much of the town was devastated during the D-Day landings, but the eccentric 15th century clock tower and belfry, and 12th and 13th century gatehouse and donjon survive. Read more on Vire or return to Calvados map
Website: www.vire-tourism.com
Accommodation in calvados
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