On the road

Normandy Region

Departments: Calvados, Eure, Orne, Manche, Seine-Maritime.

Population: 3.34 million

Prefecture: Rouen

Regional Council headquarters: Caen

Surface area: 29,906 km2

Specialities: Saveurs de Normandie label. Cheeses: Camembert, Livarot, Pont-L'Évêque, Carré d'Auge, Neufchâtel, etc. Apples. Cider, calvados, pommeau, perry. Norman galettes and shortbread. Isigny caramels. Mirlitons. Salt meadow lamb from Mont Saint-Michel. Isigny butter and cream. Tripes à la mode de Caen.

Sports clubs: Stade Malherbe de Caen, FC Rouen 1899, Le Havre AC, US Quevilly Rouen Métropole (football). Caen Basket Calvados, Rouen Métropole Basket.

Competitions: CIC Normandy Channel Race. Transat Café l'Or. Polynormande, Tour of Normandy (stop in 2025). Marathon de la Liberté in Caen.

Economy: 9thnational economic region (4.4% of GDP). 7 competitiveness clusters, 16 industries and 19 areas of excellence. Leading French region for energy and the equestrian sector. Normandy is France's leading producer of cow's milk cheese and cream, fibre flax, cider apples and cider products. The world's leading centre for luxury bottles, with 75% of global production.

Festivals: Caen Millennium. Cathedral of Light in Rouen. D Day Festival. Les Extraverties. Papillons de nuit Festival in Saint-Laurent-de-Cuves. Deauville American Film Festival. Cabourg Romantic Film Festival. Cabourg Mon Amour Festival. Bayeux Medieval Festival. Dieppe Kite Festival.

Tourist attractions: Mont Saint-Michel, the seaside towns of Deauville, Trouville, Granville, Honfleur, Étretat (cliffs), Cabourg. Channel Islands. Bayeux (tapestry). Alençon. Falaise Castle. Giverny and the Impressionists. Caen Memorial. Cathedrals of Rouen and Évreux. Basilica of Lisieux. Saint-Pierre church in Caen.

Websites and social networks: www.normandie.fr / www.normandie-tourisme.fr / www.normandiesites.com

Ellon (Pop: 630)

Ellon is the birthplace of Auguste Fauchon (1856-1945), who in 1886 founded the grocery shop that bears his name on the Place de la Madeleine in Paris, and went on to become a global luxury gastronomy company.  

Saint-Pierre church

Construction: 14th century.

Style: Gothic.

History: built towards the end of the 12th century, the church was extensively remodeled in the 19th century in the neo-Gothic style. It still has an elegant 14th-century bell tower.

Characteristics: the portal with its leafy capitals opens onto a porch. Its vault, inscribed in a square, becomes octagonal thanks to the play of pendentives. The high tower is characterised by the vertical momentum of the lancets and the depth of the openings.

Listed as: Historical Monument in 1913 (bell tower)

Aurseulles (Pop: 1910)

Aurseulles is a new commune created in 2017 by the merger of the communes of Anctoville, Longraye, Saint-Germain-d'Ectot and Torteval-Quesnay, which became delegated communes. Its heritage consists mainly of the eight churches of the communes and former communes that make it up. The Romanesque bell tower of Saint-Pierre de Longraye church (12th century) has been a listed historical monument since 1914. The civil heritage of the Barony of Torteval includes a small 15th-century castle, the entrance to which has been a listed building since 1927.

Les Monts d'Aunay (Pop: 4,660)

Les Monts d'Aunay is a new commune formed in 2017 from the merger of seven delegated communes: Aunay-sur-Odon, Bauquay, Campandré-Valcongrain, Danvou-la-Ferrière, Ondefontaine, Le Plessis-Grimoult and Roucamps. Aunay-sur-Odon is the birthplace of biathlete Anaïs Bescond, a member of the French mixed relay team that was Olympic champion in 2018 and world champion in 2016. A multiple medallist at world championships, she is now a consultant on the L'Équipe television channel.  

Plessis-Grimoult Priory

Foundation: 12th century.

History: the priory was founded by Richard of Dover, Bishop of Bayeux, in 1133, where he established a community of canons from the Order of Saint Augustine. The canons did not live in seclusion, as they served many of the surrounding parishes. The abbey church, built in the 12th century, was sacked during the Wars of Religion (1562). During the Revolution, the abbey was sold and the church became a stone quarry. The rest was destroyed in 1944 during the capture of Mont Pinçon.

Characteristics: Numerous remains can be seen today: the south tower of the abbey church, the 14th-century Gothic chapter house, the 13th-century gatehouse and the foundations of a fortified garden (13th-century miniature fortification). The garden is a miniature 14th-century fortification located 50 metres south-east of the remains of the priory dating from the Early Middle Ages.

Listed as: Historical Monument in 1996.

Thury-Harcourt-Le Hom (Pop: 3,600)

Since 2016, this new commune has included the communes of Caumont-sur-Orne, Curcy-sur-Orne, Hamars, Saint-Martin-de-Sallen and Thury-Harcourt.

Château d'Harcourt

Construction: 17th and 18th centuries.

History and characteristics: Odet d'Harcourt built this residence in 1635 on the remains of a medieval castle. It was extended in 1714 and 1723. During his visit to inaugurate the Cherbourg military port in June 1786, King Louis XVI stopped off here. During the Battle of Normandy, the village was bombed for the first time on 30 June 1944. The castle was spared. After fierce fighting against the British 59th Division from 13 to 14 August 1944, the occupying forces evacuated the village and set fire to the castle, which had been relatively unscathed. With this building disappeared a large part of the Normandy archives, a library of nearly 15,000 books, numerous family paintings and valuable furniture. All that remains today are the central pavilion, the chapel and the outbuildings of this monument, which had 264 windows.

Listed as: historical monument in 1927 and 1963.

Pont d'Ouilly (Pop: 1,000)

The municipality is home to the Ouilly stud farm, founded by Prince Pierre d'Arenberg and taken over by the Duke of Cazes after the First World War. It was owned by Jean-Luc Lagardère before becoming the property of the Aga Khan in 2015. Jean-Luc Lagardère (1928-2003), former boss of Matra, Groupe Hachette, Europe 1 and Matra Racing, was one of France's most important business leaders in the 1980s and 1990s. He is buried in Pont d'Ouilly cemetery. It was he who developed the Ouilly stud farm, which at one time had some 220 horses, including Linamix, one of the most expensive stallions of the 2000s, and Sagamix, with whom he won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Jean-Luc Lagardère also ran France-Galops, which organises horse racing in France.

Sainte-Honorine-la-Chardonne (Pop: 680)

This is Guillaume Martin Guyonnet's home village, and the Tour de France does not ride through here by chance, Thierry Gouvenou having called the rider from the Groupama-FDJ team to ask him for information about the route, which also visits Flers, which the former top climber in the Vuelta (2020) attended as a sports student. At the age of 31, Guillaume Martin Guyonnet has taken part in the Tour de France eight times and finished 8th in 2021. The rider from Normandy has finished in the top fifteen on five occasions. His fan club is in Sainte-Honorine-la-Chardonne.

Château de Saint-Sauveur

Construction: 16th and 17th centuries.

Style:   Louis XIII.

History: the château was built by Jacob de Grésille whose mother, Madeleine de Mesnage, was the daughter of the French ambassador to Charles V. In recognition of his services, Jacob de Grésille was granted permission to bear the name of Saint-Sauveur and his lands were made a barony.

Characteristics: the building stands in the centre of a lake and is extended by wide terraces that extend into the balustraded moat. The moat is crossed to the north and south by two bridges with balustrades. The castle comprises a wing flanked to the east and west by two projecting pavilions. Inside, some wood panelling remains in the bedrooms on the first floor.

Current use: owned by a private company.

Listed as: Historical Monument in 1978.

Flers (Pop: 14,300)

A former textile town and stronghold of the Norman Chouannerie (Peasant Revolt), Flers, like many Norman towns, suffered greatly in the fighting following the Normandy landings in June 1944. Unlike the town's church, which was damaged in both world wars, its Renaissance château has been preserved and remains the town's heritage jewel, housing a fine arts museum and municipal services. Flers secondary school has a cycling sports-study programme, which Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet attended. Romain Hardy, who took part in the Tour de France in 2017 and 2018, is also from Flers, where he started cycling. Other famous natives of the town include Senate President Gérard Larcher, former French Prime Minister Guy Mollet, actor François Morel, and football referees Nelly Viennot and Tony Chapron.

Flers Castle

Construction: 16th to 18th centuries.

Style: Renaissance.

History: in the Middle Ages, the castle was a modest structure surrounded by moats. The right wing of the château, flanked by its two round corner turrets, is the oldest part. It was built between 1527 and 1541 by Nicolas III de Grosparmy, a passionate alchemist. In 1598, the barony of Flers became a county. In the 17th century, major work was undertaken to clean up and embellish the grounds. Purchased after the Revolution by a number of local businessmen and politicians, it became the property of the local council in 1901, which set up a fine arts museum.

Today, the château's museum boasts a fine permanent collection offering a broad panorama of Western painting. The collection was bequeathed in 1919 by Julien Salles (1829-1915), former mayor of Flers. The collection comprises early paintings (from the French, Italian and Nordic schools) as well as 19th-century paintings and sculptures by Gustave Courbet, Schnetz, Charles-François Daubigny, Boudin, Caillebotte, Léandre, Rousaud, Crébassa, Leharivel-Durocher and others. Twentieth-century art is also represented, in particular with ceramics by Jean Cocteau. Furniture and decorative arts complete the presentation.

Listed as: Historical Monument in 1907.

MANCHE (50)

Prefecture: Saint-Lô

Sub-prefectures: Cherbourg, Avranches, Coutances

Population: 496,815

Surface area: 5,938 km2

Specialities: oysters, mussels, salt-meadow lamb, scallops, Créances leeks, Mère Poulard omelette at Mont Saint-Michel.

Sport: US Avranches, AS Cherbourg, FC Saint-Lô Manche, US Granville (football), JS Cherbourg (handball), Polynormande, Duo Normand (cycling).

Major events: Rendez-vous soniques, Chauffer dans la noirceur, Traversées Tatihou, Jazz sous les pommiers, Papillons de nuit Festival. Cinémovida, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin festival of Irish and British cinema.

Main tourist attractions: Mont Saint-Michel, Scriptorial d'Avranches, Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg, D-Day beaches and museum, Christian Dior museum, Coutances cathedral, seaside resorts, châteaux of Gratot and Cerisy-la-Salle, Jacques Prévert house in Omonville-la-Petite. 

Economy: La Manche is France's leading agricultural region, with livestock farming (cattle, sheep and horses), fruit growing (apples) and vegetables (carrots, leeks, cauliflowers). Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is a major port (fishing, yachting, cross-Channel traffic, trade, military, shipbuilding). The nuclear industry has grown considerably. The Manche economy is also based on seaside and seasonal tourism.

Website: www.manche.fr

Mortain-Bocage (Pop. 2,950)

Mortain-Bocage is a new commune created in 2016 by the merger of the communes of Bion, Mortain, Notre-Dame-du-Touchet, Saint-Jean-du-Corail and Villechien. Mortain is the birthplace of Daniel Mangeas, official announcer of the Tour de France from 1974 to 2014. He became the voice of the Tour by chance on 15 July 1974, when the announcer at the time, Pierre Chori, broke down. Albert Bouvet, the race director, had to find a quick solution. Daniel Mangeas replaced him on the spot and remained on the podium for 40 years! Mortain is also the birthplace of Gérard Ernault, former editorial director of L'Équipe and France Football.  

Saint-Michel-de-Montjoie (Pop: 340)

The village is famous for its quarry of blue granite, which can be polished to produce beautiful pieces. This granite was used in construction for quoins (quoins, lintels, etc.) or ornaments because it was more expensive than ordinary granite. This led to the development of a quarry material industry, mainly in Vire. The granite known as Bleu de Vire was used to create the tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe and the Basilica of Lisieux. A museum park has been opened to retrace the history of blue granite quarrying in the region.

Noues-de-Sienne (Pop: 4,240)

The communes of Champ-du-Boult, Le Gast, Courson, Fontenermont, Mesnil-Clinchamps, Le Mesnil-Caussois, Le Mesnil-Benoist, Saint-Manvieu-Bocage, Saint-Sever-Calvados and Sept-Frères merged in 2017 to form the commune of Noues-de-Siennes.

Notre-Dame de Saint-Sever de Calvados Abbey

Founded: 11th to 13th century.

Order: Benedictines.

Style: Gothic.

History: originally a hermitage founded by Saint Severus (6th century). Notre-Dame Abbey was founded in the 11th century by Richard Goz, Viscount of Avranches, and was affiliated to the Order of St. Benedict. Following the Norman conquest of England, Hugh the Wolf extended the influence of Saint-Sever Abbey beyond the English Channel. The growing influence of the Cistercian order in Normandy led to the decline of the abbey. However, it was effectively restored following a fire in 1680. The current monastic buildings date from this period. The abbey did not survive the reforms of the Revolution. In 1819, the commune bought the abbey church and converted it into a parish church. The commune bought the monastic buildings in 1834 and set up the town hall, justice of the peace, presbytery, gendarmerie and schools.

Characteristics: built from local granite, the church is Gothic in style and has an irregular floor plan. The monastic buildings are built around the cloister, unusually to the north of the abbey church. This is due to the steep slope of the land. They were rebuilt or restored and refurbished after the fire of 1680.

Listed as: historical monument in 1881.