Right in the centre of Caen, on the Bassin Saint-Pierre where much of Caen's night-life centres, O'Donnells pub is a little piece of Ireland transplanted to Normandy. There is a wide choice of beers and other refreshing beverages on offer in this authentic, friendly bar when the temperature starts to rise.
Televised football and rugby matches, Friday night concerts and themed evenings are all good excuses for partying the way they do back in Dublin.

The bar is a reconstruction of a typical town square in Provence with an added flavour of the flea-market: items in the "junk-shop" section are actually for sale (old clocks, mirrors, chandeliers, juke-boxes, etc.), while clients at the bar take shelter under the branches of a tree whose branches disappear into the ceiling.
Try a "Vallée d'Auge" cocktail (calvados, praline and fresh cream) in the lounge area with its teak furniture, sofas, benches and pouffes, set off by mosaic tables and a real, old-time zinc bar counter.

This spacious restaurant on two floors provides a welcoming designer setting for those who want to enjoy a good meal before continuing their evening. The decor is thoughtfully executed, with warm colours and comfortable furniture giving a very lounge-like feel. Original paintings hang on the walls, adding an artistic touch to which live DJ music mixes add a note of sensuality. The lounge, bar and dance-floor are the venue for numerous events and themed evenings.

The names of the dishes alone reflect the Italian inspiration, from the saltimbocca (veal escalope with Parma ham) or the osso bucco (veal shanks). The menu offers at least 12 choices of pizza and several meat dishes, as well as some excellent Italian wines.
Atmosphere and music are designed to transport you to Italy, and to the town of Amalfi in particular, pictured in the frescoes adorning the walls. The pizza oven, the Holy Grail of any self-respecting Italian pizzeria, is on full view to customers in the restaurant itself.

The enormous fireplace is a welcoming feature of this 17th century building. The tall windows and the walls of Caen stone combine with the gentle background music to create a hushed, peaceful atmosphere.
This is a restaurant that breaks away from traditional cuisine. The inspiration for its sweet and sour combinations comes from Japan, as in the barbecued tiger prawns with ginger and peanuts.
The outside terrace looks onto the pedestrian street in the historic town centre, at the foot of the castle.

This high-class restaurant occupies a former beetroot press (hence its name) that was later transformed into a coaching inn. In an understated contemporary setting, its stone walls and table-lamps create a softly-lit romantic atmosphere. The food served at the Pressoir is a gourmet delight, based on highly creative cooking using local tastes and ingredients.
Scallops with truffles and foie gras cooked in a glass jar and the dark chocolate and praline crunch are the two best-known specialities of this charming restaurant.

No one could possibly visit Calvados and leave without a good bottle of local cider, so why not get your supplies from a shop famous for its expertise in the subject? All the cider, pommeau and calvados here is produced by traditional methods, each with its own special characteristics in terms of aromas and taste: depending on the barrels used, the woody notes may be more or less pronounced. The shop stocks a range of ages from 15 to 20 years, with vintage years from 1960 to 1987 on sale.
The aim of the establishment is to invite visitors to taste, to explain the quality of the products and to identify the differences between them.

Take your seat in this temple of games. The shop stocks games of every sort - games of strategy, cards, board games or psychological games - to tempt future players from the age of 2 to 102. A well-stocked children's section features a wide selection of chess sets, just one section of a shop characterised by its fantastic range.
Bring your friends along to Le Pion Magique for one of the games evenings held once a week.

Everything in this boutique is managed by people with a disability. The CAT (French employment-aid program) in Colombelles launched this boutique concept in order to help disabled persons find a place for themselves in the world of employment and in society at large.

Here you will find all things chocolate, but also a large selection of traditional products from the four corners of France: apple sugar from Rouen, vintage wines (Bordeaux, Loire, etc.), cider from Brittany, jam and of course foie gras from the south-west.

Sitting opposite the Caen Château, this boutique would have been ideally located for William the Conqueror to fill his saddle with shortcake, toffee and caramel…
Locals are fond of this little boutique as it is a goldmine for "the perfect gift" - Cherbourg umbrellas, Saint James fabrics, cosmetics made from salted caramel and apples, and some quaint pottery (cider bowls, vases, etc).
The shop also has a book section, with Normandy as a main topic, its folklore, tourist spots and cooking tips, and there is even a youth section.

Opposite the Caen harbour, lost in French culture, there is a place where country music is king. Oncle Scott started when a Frenchman and a Texan decided that Caen needed affordable, Franco-American cuisine - and they were right about that.
There is a range of dishes to suit every taste, from Normandy fondue to Uruguay rib steak, and some interesting ones such as the ostrich thick-cut steak and even shark steak!
Expect a good, wholesome meal with country music in the background.

Nothing beats a fresh, ice-cold cocktail to end a day in the sun! As mentioned in the name, this establishment is made up of two bars: the café upstairs and the bar and dancefloor downstairs. Whether you plan to have a quiet drink or dance the night away, the Up and Down's home-made cocktails, alll made with fresh-bought fruit, are heavenly - the strawberry or banana Daiquiri in particular is exceptional.
Music varies, depending on the customer's moods, but mostly you will hear 70's and 90's tunes.
During the summer, events are organised 2 or 3 times a week with themes that vary from disco nights to Cuban salsa parties…

The "Bar de la Mer" is a section of the famed Ciro's Barriere, an Art Deco-style restaurant which serves a traditional and yet sophisticated cuisine.
While they can seat 40, the outdoor terrace can accomodate upto 350 people… So don't forget to bring a few friends!
Always in vogue, this bar is a great place to meet people in a pleasant, outgoing kind of atmosphere.

Opposite the endless ocean, Ciro's Barrière is the place to be and to be seen in.
The menu is comparable to some of the country's greatest gastronomical establishments with a large selection of seafood.
No fancy, colourful dressing here - the chefs work with respect for the real, natural savour of quality produce, with light but intense seasoning.
If you let the star sommelier Joël Malbranche serve you a vintage wine of his choosing, you will feel like a king and have a meal fit for one!

For a quick snack which remains a quality meal, there is a little place opposite the town hall where a crêpe, a salad or a home-made bagel will surely make your day that much more enjoyable.

If the weather allows it, the terrace is the perfect place to enjoy a Viroise galette (egg, cheese, and andouille from Vire) or a Normand one (caramelized apples flambéed in calvados).

Opposite the Deauville racecourse, next to the yearling-auction hall, you will find a restaurant that is imbued with the city's character.
You can expect a warm welcome from owners Mr and Mrs Joumaa, and the cuisine in this establishment is creative and original, made from quality produce that is always in season and carefully chosen.
None can resist the roast squab in cranberry sauce, or the home-made soft chocolate cake, or the ice cream and sorbets, all of which are home-made.

The Flambée is a restaurant located midway between the casino, the beach and the Deauville racecourse.
You won't be surprised to know that they specialise in red meat grilled or flambéed in the old-style manner, over the fireplace.
The traditional, refined style of cuisine is constantly changing thanks to a creative chef who can whip up some unique dishes, such as Madagascar shrimp sautéed in garlic, or Normandy-style veal kidney flambéed in "pomelle".

La Poterne is located in a 17th century building in the city's medieval area known as the Vaugueux quarter. The entire establishment was renovated and redesigned in the style of an African game lodge.
The cuisine mostly revolves around fish, local produce (beef from the Auge area, tripe from Caen) and some highly original dishes. These include the wild sea bass, crispy Coppa, saffron Risotto and the famed poached eggs with foie gras.
Meals aside, the Poterne is also a bar that serves excellent cocktails and organises a number of jazz or piano concerts throughout the year.

Normandises is located between the Bayeux cathedral and the ever-famous Bayeux tapestry. A haven for collectors of myriad objects: American and British tin soldiers of the Normandy landing, magnets, crockery, mugs with imprints of the cathedral of other regional historical sites… The list goes on.

Local gourmet products are also available, a delight for your tastebuds - cider, calvados, "sablé" (shortcake) and toffee in all shapes and colours. The perfect place to pick up a gift for a loved one, or just to indulge in some quality delicacies.

This little boutique could be termed a secondary tourism office, so extensive is the selection of local products.
Aure du commun is haven for people interested in regional culture. It provides handicraft items (lacework, embroidery, ceramic art, etc.), graphic art, informative books about the region and of course an array of local gourmet products (most of which have something to do with apples - Calvados, cider, etc.)
You will definitely be leaving this shop with a souvenir.

The Lecornu family set up their fermentation cellar a stone's throw from Bayeux cathedral in a rustic, authentic setting.
With their nine hectares of apple groves all within a 10 km radius of the city, they grow every apple from which all their products are made.
Down a flight of stairs, in the cellar, we can see that their crop was put to good use.
Here you will find all the traditional Normandy products - cider, Calvados, jellies and various apple-based beverages.

In the middle of old-town Bauyeux, opposite the museum where the famed Bayeux Tapestry is displayed, there is a delightful little stone-walled mill which, surprisingly, is still fully functional. Within you can enjoy a romantic meal right on the waterfront.

Traditional cuisine is the key word, with typical Normandy products. A la carte there is Bayeux pork, grilled meats and crêpes, mouthwatering local specialties.

The Kraal is located in a listed 1905 building in Deauville. A meal in the traditional, rustic indoor setting is agreably contrasted by the sun-lit terrace which gives onto the city's main square.
As a specialist in all things seafood and fish, the Kraal's chef takes great care in his selection of market-bought food to produce a fresh, original dish.

One should try out their elaborate dishes such as the "Poularde des Cinq Frères", a fatted chicken in an original recipe, or the more simple dish of scallops, sole or turbot…

Just opposite the city's main square, the place Morny, Augusto - Chez Laurent is a gastronomical restaurant wich an excellent reputation for red meat and quality fish. A notable fixed-price menu is the "Homard dans tout ses états", a lobster meal in 5 courses, 4 of which are mainly lobster (three starters, a main course, and a dessert).

The menu is constantly changing, tied as it is to the seasons and the subsequent availability of market products.
The building is old fashioned, the decorative theme is along the lines of "cruiseship interior", with mahogany and stark white colours and, to top it off, a whole tank of live lobster!
The establishment was recently visited by Sophie Dudemaine for her famed cooking show Les Recettes de Sophie.

In the heart of Bayeux, near the Tapestry and the Bayeux Cathedral (just behing the Ornano parking lot) there is a charming little house. At a glance, one would never imagine it is a crêperie, a pizzeria and a salar-bar where you can enjoy Normandy delicacies in a friendly atmosphere.

All their flour is organically produced, and this distinction can be felt in their crêpes, buwheat galettes or pizzas.
Their specialties include the Salmon galette (smoked salmon, tomatoes, asparagus and chive cream sauce) or the Normandy (with andouille from Vitré, mushrooms, apples and camambert on toast. A delicious cultural experience…

Opposite the famed Bayeux Tapestry, this boutique sells lacework of the highest quality (crocheted as well as bobbin and torchon lace) - recently a new collection of lace jewelry, designed by the owner's daughter, has been added to the boutique's products.

There is a fine selection of hand-embroidered doilies and tablecloths, with a variety of motifs - various flowers, poppies, of medieval themes (similar to the motifs of Queen Mathilda's Tapestry).

Hand-embroidered cushions are one of this establishment's specialties and have had a great deal of success.
The lady is this family business is specialised in hand-painted porcelain with mostly flower motifs but also more recently a beautiful Napoleon III lace motif.

In addition to this artistry, there is also a selection of local products, from Calvados to Normandy toffees.

In the heart of Bayeux a few steps from the Argouges hotel, this 100m² sales space is a haven for all things porecelain and decorative.
At the Vaisselier, you will find crockery, napkins, Limoges porcelain, lamps and a myriad things for spicing up one's home. Crockery and kitchenware is often of the finest quality.

During a meal at the Nautica, the view of Dauville harbour is so grand that the boats seem to be drifting onto your plate…
Quite naturally, the restaurant's interior leans towards an old-style sailor's tavern, with extensive woodwork, narrow alleys and even a British-pub feel to the place.
To keep within the spirit, seafood is the main player in this kitchen, with scallop-shells, sole meunière, and a home-made royal paella, but there are also elaborate beef dishes and house specialties such as a light poultry paté.

Les Canotiers is a crêperie, a salad-bar and a tea-room (in which they serve the famed Mariage frères tea).
The establishment is located 5 minutes from the abbaye aux Hommes and the place Saint-Sauveur.
The atmosphere is warm, with exposed stone and interesting artwork, and the cuisine delicious.

Their specialty buckwheat pancake, the "galette des canotiers", with egg, ham, cheese, tomatoes and herbs, is particularly good, and the apple and rasberry crumble is simply divine.

In a renovated 40's buildiung caught between the château and the Leroy tower, this typical "country-living" establishment is like a home away from home. Little wicker armchairs and family photos on the walls definitely give this place a lived-in feel.

The real reason for coming, though, is the hybrid "Frenglish" cuisine, with some typical Brit brekkie or brunch, fish and chips and baked beans… There is a tea-room as well that serves organic coffee and hot chocolate, and a large selection of pastries: cream-tea, crumbles, lemon meringue pie…
Comfort food for the homesick and everyone else!

Cinema is the main theme in this bar-pub, as mentioned in the title - film posters and actors' portraits adorn the walls of this particularly fun hangout for friends in dire need of a cocktail or one of the myriad beers that they serve in Pub Fiction. Music is varied, with popular hits and a slight penchant for roch music (from local rockers to the oldies like Led Zeppelin).

Concerts and theme-parties are numerous, and there is a lounge with pool-table, dart-board and big-screen TV for sport events.

The Lion d'Or hotel is located in the heart of Bayeux. The hotel's restaurant is reputed for its traditional, quality cuisine.
The large dining hall is a convivial space, the exposed beams and bright interior creating a warm atmosphere where the chef's cuisine can truly be appreciated. The cooking style is elaborate and highly creative, always done with market-bought, local produce.

There is a variety of dishes to choose from, with for example the pan-fried foie gras, the french-style caramelized apple tart, the scallops seared in algae-butter, or the simplest possible dish: a slice of toasted bread with choice camembert… To be enjoyed over and over again.

The Loft Café is particularly successful in the area and organises a number of themed evenings such as TeddyBear Night or Singles' Night where the main objective is having a riotous good time. Usually you get to leave with a little gift, glow bracelets or a teddy bear…

From Thursday to Saturday night, the resident DJ sets the dancefloor on fire, and with a pool table and a big-screen TV for game nights, this place is a hotspot for everyone.

Downtown Deauville, a couple of steps from the town hall, the Zoo bar beckons… One of the city's most fashionable nightspots, the Zoo is a modern establishment with big armchairs, pouffes and satin cushions, and a warm, homely feel to it.
The ideal spot for a drink with friends, a romantic evening or just a wild night on the town…
Themed evenings are numerous, with classics like 80's night but also original themes such as Cupid evening…

This restaurant is in an old, timber-framed house, right next to the Saint-Etienne church and the place des Petites-Boucheries (one of France's oldest quarters).
The dining halls within are all decorated in vanilla/chocolate hues, with a contemporary and yet comfortable furniture decor.
With both traditional and gastronomical cuisine, it is like eating in a bistrot run by a star chef, where creativity is limitless.

Starters include foie gras in apple liqueur, or "petit gris" (snail) and aubergine Nems; for the main course, swordfish with a paella-style risotto, or chuck with chips and onion purée; and to conclude the meal, rice pudding with caramel cream and butter.