The young Flaubert.

Gustave Flaubert was born in 1821 in the Hôtel-Dieu in Rouen. His father was a surgeon in the hospital there and it was in Rouen that he was to live his early life. The Hôtel-Dieu has now become the Museum of Flaubert and the History of Medecine, and the institution invites the public to discover the youth of Gustave Flaubert. This temporary exhibition will take place in the room in which the writer was born. It will feature works little-known by the general public, depicting the writer and his family, and will plunge you into the literary world of the young Flaubert.

Summer of impressionism in Normandy.

Normandy, as the birthplace of impressionism, is closely linked with this artistic movement. This new festival Impressionist Normandy will run from June to September 2010.
Exhibitions, sound and light shows, recitals, concerts, conferences, dances and picnics will enliven many towns and rural areas in the region.
As part of this festival there will be a major exhibition A Town for Impressionism: Monet, Gauguin and Pissarro in Rouen at the Museum of Fine Arts in Rouen. You will also have the opportunity to discover the lesser known aspects of this artistic movement, with a print exhibition at the Fine Art Museum in Caen and ceramics of this period on display at the Ceramic Museum in Rouen.
Now you just need to decide what to see first!

A year of special events and activities.

In 1860 the seaside resort of Deauville was born. To celebrate its 150th birthday this town in Normandy will host all kinds of events all throughout the year. With concerts, trade fairs, fêtes, theatre and dance, sporting events and so on there is plenty for everyone.
Special highlights include the New Year festivities, the Asian film festival, the Omnivore food festival, the festival of American cinema, and guided tours of interesting places in town.

Festivities abound.

On the Saturday a garage sale and giant feast of "moules-frites" will open the festivities.
But the main events of the festival will happen on Sunday, with a parade of floats, entertainment from musical groups, and a concert by an orchestra followed by fireworks. A competition of the traditional game Petanque will take place on the Monday.

Relive the history of Puy du Fou.

On a stage more than fifty acres wide, we travel back in time, accompanied by a host of 1100 actors, with a cinema-quality soundtrack and a deluge of special effects.
Relive the glory days of Puy du Fou, from the middle ages to the Second World War.

More than two hours of emotion and seven hundred years of history go into a giant open-air show that has already attracted more than seven million spectators.

A stellar festival!

The summer will end with a myriad of things to do and see. Installations, street theatre, concerts: the living arts will sparkle all over the Jardin de la Perrine and in old Laval, to put stars in the eyes of children and adults alike.

Ink worth its weight in gold.

Building on the success of the "Cartooning for Peace" foundation, the Caen memorial will be displaying a selection of works dealing with this powerful, universal theme. Cartoonists, illustrators and professionals in graphic arts were called upon to produce a number of works to explore the theme.

Organised for the first time in October 2006 at the UN headquarters, the event draws artists and illustrators from throughout the world to take part in an artistic melting pot unlike any other…

Horsing around.

This gathering of horse-lovers boasts a varied programme, with breeding classes, showing, show-jumping, dressage, regional Anglo-Arab championships, horse-ball competitions, displays of horsemanship and a young horse fair. Enough to keep the whole family entertained!

History and tradition.

This harvest festival celebrates the ancient traditions of rural life. At 11am a parade of tractors and animals will gather, before the great threshing takes place in the afternoon. The reaping and threshing will be demonstrated in the age-old style of ancient country tradition. This festival brings together activities to enjoy and memories of past times.

A festive end to the summer.

Trade fair, jumble sales, dances and a spectacular firework display will see out the summer in this two week festival in the Parc Saint-Fiacre.

Seeing is believing…

The Voir, Savoir expo is in essence a study of the relationship between pedagogical content and graphic images… The core concept was to map out the usage of images throughout Western history, in particular their usage in educational contexts.

More than 300 documents will be on display and set up so that the visitor may admire them chronologically. From the first prints to our current image-saturated culture, learn the truth behind the expression "seeing is believing"…

Traditional maritime festival.

The "queen", elected in March, presides over this ancient festival rooted in maritime tradition. Expect a time warp into the early 20th century, with fish markets, foot races, folk dances and all kinds of activities, events and parades, with Celtic and Breton folk music from around 26 traditional bands to get you dancing in the streets!

A typical Breton work.

The Saint-André de Ploemel church was built between 1832 and 1845.
Inside, numerous liturgical objects and works of art from the town's old building. Amongst those objects, the Northern wing alter piece dated 1777. There is also a painting which depicts the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, from the same period as the alter piece.
During the reconstruction of the church in the mid 19th century, part of the furniture was renewed and the new pieces were made by local artists.

Inspired by a learned Scotsman.

The museum's earliest collections are owed to a learned Scotsman by the name of James Miln.
The furniture and the archaeological treasures discovered at Carnac are for the most part presented in the Musée de la Préhistoire.
Visitors will follow the adventures of mankind from the Old Stone Age (450,000 years ago) to the Gallo-Roman period (4th century B.C.), by way of the Neolithic period when the megaliths were erected. A total of 6,600 exhibits are on display.

If wishes were horses…

Do you like nature? If you have always dreamed of learning to ride in idyllic natural surroundings, then Barbara and her horses will not disappoint. From complete beginners to experienced riders, from a walk on a lead rope to a challenging flatwork class, Barbara offers a friendly approach to riding.

Get the taste of Angers!

At the very heart of the Val de Loire, the vineyards of Anjou and Saumur make up the third biggest wine-growing region of France. Their wide variety of soils and selected grape varietals, specially chosen for the mild climate of Anjou, produce a great diversity of wines.
With 28 Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée, the vineyards of Anjou and Saumur offer a full range of wines, both in colour and in flavour.
Nor are the Angevins short of ideas on how to present their regional specialities and local fare to best advantage: rillauds (small chunks of belly pork cooked in their own fat), sander in a beurre blanc sauce accompanied by a Savennières white wine, blue chocolates known as quernons d'Ardoises, or greengage pie and desserts flavoured with Cointreau. Choose your menu!
Every week, in every quarter of Angers, B>discover the fresh produce, love of fine food and wine, tradition and savoir-faire offered by professionals, artisans, producers and farmers..

An architectural monument.

Built in 1631 to plans drawn up by architect François Mansart, the Château de Balleroy is part of one of the first town-planning schemes ever executed in France, and that was to inspire Versailles.
In 1975, the first Balloon Museum was founded by Malcolm S. Forbes in one of the former stable buildings.
The 17th century dovecote and the grounds are also not to be missed.

Beach babes and culture-vultures.

The Trouville museum, set up in the Villa Montebello, will tell you all about the history of this historic beach resort.

Ethnographic artefacts, along with rich art collections, retrace the history of this fascinating commune from different perspectives to give you a rounded view.

The museum's other halls are more focused, with for example a display space dedicated to Raymond Savignac and another to the André Hambourg collection. One of the galleries, on the dock of the harbour, hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Where kids are treated like royalty!

Parents and children all want their holidays together to be a success and a source of unforgettable happy memories.

A family holiday resort must be in a position to offer absolutely everything to make that possible: suitable accommodation for families, activities to suit different ages, fun and entertainment for all, and a wide range of facilities in an environment that must be not only attractive (naturally!) but also safe.
Station Kid resorts, in association with the Ministry for Tourism which supports the association's projects, are committed to this vision, and have agreed to a strict charter with six key checkpoints : welcome, facilities, events and entertainment, activities, environment and safety.
Communes which qualify receive the award for a period of three years. The award is made only to communes that pursue a real policy of welcoming children aged between 3 and 12 and their families.

As a result, everything is in place to ensure that children have a fantastic time with their parents, who can feel relaxed and secure.
On the programme: sports, walks, fun learning activities, games and competitions and shows for all the family to enjoy.

Bring a horse-shoe for good luck…

The city of Deauville boasts not one but two racecourses: Deauville - La Touques and Deauville - Clairefontaine. La Touques is a stunning, expansive racecourse with all the amenities to keep parents happy and children occupied (pony-rides included). Free tours are even organised on race days.

When it comes to the actual event, this racecourse is well-tended and run professionally and makes for an exciting, action-packed afternoon!

Don't lost your compass.

Good times are just growing on trees in Bayeux's Labyrinth. Take a tour of the gardens and enjoy a cultural and educational experience among friends, young and old, or with the whole family. Remember to pack some water and snacks, because this will be a two-hour tour where you might, and probably will, get side-tracked or completely lost.

Do not dispair, visitors are given a map upon entry and can always check the book when they take a wrong turn again, and again…

Bringing to life the epic history of William the Conqueror.

This mind-blowingly immense tapestry, made entirely from wool, has told the story of the conquest of England by William Duke of Normandy for the past millenium…

This archaic comic strip, truly a graphic history book, will transport you into a medieval epic filled with viking "Drakkars" and Normand knights.

The undying myth…

The Knights of the Round Table, King Arthur, Merlin… These names are central to many a myth and storytale.

This unusual institution, the Centre de l'Imaginaire Arthurien, is dedicated to the myth of Arthur at every level, calling attention to any piece in any art form that connects to the mythology of King Arthur. Expect exhibitions, conferences and guided tours…

Visit the Château de Quintin and its permanent collections.

Two chateaux for the price of one in the same park, in the centre of the characterful town of Quintin. An unfinished 17th century chateau, listed as an historic monument, and an 18th century chateau, also listed.
The base of the 17th century chateau, the richly furnished apartments of the 18th century chateau, the former kitchens (including a granite kitchen-garden of extraordinary size), the permanent collections of china, glassware, silverware, trinkets, christening robes and fans are open all year round.

Developing tourism.

In 1879 the village of Pornichet was blessed with a newly-established railway station. This would lead to an unprecedented boom in the tourism industry. This little commune, built on a healthy salt trade, would from the 19th century onwards become one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country. Sea-bathing, for one, contributed to making Pornichet an ever-growing beach resort. The train station is notable for its architecture, similar to that of Pouliguen and Croisic.

Memories of war.

Close to the town centre of Colleville-sur-Mer, 9 841 soldiers are buried in the American cemetery of Omaha Beach, near the site of the Landing of 6 June 1944, a tribute to the Second World War and the Normanie landings.

On the never-ending lawns, the lines of white crosses remind us of the courage and folly of man.

"A wondrous pyramid".

On the border between Brittany and Normandy, between Cancale and Granville, the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel is a fascinating place. The Mount itself, perched on a rocky outcrop, forms a tiny village whose Grande Rue (the main and, indeed, the only street on the Mount) climbs up to meet the Benedictine abbey at its summit.

The bay, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, is a land of history and legend, shaped over the millennia by the hidden forces of nature. It is here that you will find the highest tides in Europe.
Don't leave the village without tasting the delicious omelette de la Mère Poulard.

Museum and laboratory.

The Marinarium in Concarneau is a laboratory museum, exhibiting the work of researchers in the fields of marine life, the environment and marine resources.
The marinarium is housed in the world's oldest marine research station, built in 1859, which still features the original vivariums. The exhibition now on display recounts the scientific adventure of exploring the world of the sea: the first experiments in marine aquaculture, the identification of the many organisms that make up plankton, the discovery of potentially therapeutic compounds or new species of fish. The oceans cover two thirds of the total surface area of the Earth. Estimates suggest that the diversity of life forms in this ocean world is between 1,000 to 10,000 times greater than on land!

In the footsteps of Marcel Proust…

By walking up the beach in Cabourg you cannot help but notice the imposing Grand Hôtel… This imposing palace, boasting no less than four stars, seems to embody the character and history of this beach resort from its darkest hours to its golden era.

Elegant, refined and imbued with a sense of prestige, this establishment brings to mind the French Belle Epoque and the beginnings of the sea-bathing craze, when Paris's high class flocked to the shores in summer. Marcel Proust, for example, was a recurrent holidaymaker in Cabourg.

Art gallery and historical museum.

The art gallery and museum is divided into two sections:

- The Galerie d'Histoire
- The Galerie d'Art, featuring a selection of 18th and 19th century works on mythological, historical or religious themes and including both landscapes and portraits (C. Van Loo, J.-M. Nattier, N. Hallé). The collection of 20th century paintings offers a panorama of geometric abstract works, from Cubism to the present day, with works by A. Gleizes, G. Valmier, A. Herbin, F. Kupka, V. Vasarely, F. Morellet, M. Jouet, A. Nemours, J. Gorin, J. Dewasne, etc., illustrating all the major artistic movements of our time.