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.

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…

A commune tied to the sea.

Since as early as the Antiquity, the commune of Morgat has been turned to the sea. At first a mere sardine fishing port, Morgat became a favoured holiday destination in the 19th century, drawing bourgeois city-folk to the coast in search of peace and quiet. The city developed a great deal during this period and numerous bourgeois villas were raised there; the port was slowly transformed into a marina for sea-faring tourists.

Today still the port de Morgat welcomes leisure sailing enthusiasts and tourists by the busload. The fishing harbour has nevertheless maintained its authentic, traditional air and is a great place to get into fishing.

The thrill of the deep.

La Cité de la Mer, which opened on 29 April 2002, is a vast scientific, cultural and fun centre devoted to the immense riches of the oceans and oceanographic exploration.
Exceeding all expectations, the Cité welcomed its millionth visitor in July 2005.!
Encouraged by these visitor numbers, the Cité de la Mer is now launching a second extension phase.
The origins of the Cité de la Mer, which enjoys an enviable situation in the former Cherbourg trans-Atlantic passenger docks, were twofold: to revive an Art Deco masterpiece, the former trans-Atlantic passenger terminal, and to make the nuclear submarine Le Redoutable the biggest submarine open to the public in the world. Those aims have been achieved.
The gradual descent into the abyss, during a three-hour journey into a fault in the ocean floor, is organised according to two major themes:
The Submarine, with an introduction to the Redoutable, the biggest submarine open to the public anywhere in the world.
For 45 minutes, the voice of the Captain explains how a nuclear submarine works and what life onboard is like for its crew.

The Ocean, which concentrates on exploring and using the rich resources of the ocean, and which centres around one of the deepest aquariums in Europe (10.70m) containing over 3,500 fish.

A green monument.

The public park in Bayeux is a 2.6 hectare landscaped site created in 1859 by Eugène Bülher. Of the 400 trees in the park, the most spectacular is undoubtedly the famous "weeping beech", listed as a natural monument in 1932 and designated an "arbre remarquable de France" (a tree of special interest) in 2001.
The park is an integral part of Bayeux's heritage, with a signposted walk and information points providing the keys to an understanding of the gardens and the main plant species found there.

Unrivalled in Europe.

Since 1921, the church of Saint-Laurent (15th and 16th century) has housed a collection of wrought ironwork that was and is a reference of its kind in Europe.
Its donor Henri Le Secq des Tournelles made over to the city of Rouen the first methodical collection of ironwork, begun in 1862 by his father Jean-Louis Le Secq Destournelles (1818-1882).

The latter, a member of the Mission Héliographique mounted by Prosper Mérimée to take photographs of outstanding monuments on behalf of the French Monuments Historiques department, was at once a practical, hands-on man, a painter and an art-lover. His was the original idea of taking an interest in hitherto overlooked objects: he began acquiring, from demolition sites as well as on the art market, every article of outstanding ironwork that he could find, with the exception of arms and armour, which others were already collecting.

The heart of Nantes beats again.

After 15 years of restoration and 3 years completely closed to the public, the Château des Ducs de Bretagne has once again opened its doors. The city of Nantes launched a massive restoration programme to revive this outstanding heritage site in the city centre, a living monument to the history of the city and of Brittany. The restoration of this 15th, 16th and 18th century building paved the way for the opening of a new museum, classed as a Musée de France, dedicated to the history of the chateau and the city.

Over 800 exhibits from the musem's permanent collection will be presented as part of an historic and themed series of 32 rooms covering over 5,000m². Extensive multimedia resources, a total revamp of the museum design and modern architectural features will make the museum fully accessible to all visitors.

An outstanding example of architectural and artistic heritage to be rediscovered, the setting for and witness to the history of Nantes and Brittany.

A place of worship.

Built in 1862, the Saint-Sébastien church was built in the place of a chapel. It opened to parishioners in 1868, although the steeple and facade were finished in 1897. From the top of a hill, the church is imposing, with its shape and lines. The western facade has a large porch and features an oculus whilst the steeple is an original polygonal structure.

Norman cider.

What could be more natural when in Normandy than buying cider?
Discover cider and cider-related products made by Fournier Frères, several times medal-winners at the Concours Général Agricole de Paris.
Find out how cider is produced.

Exploring the heritage of religion.

Rosporden and its environs is dotted with fine churches and chapels ideally suited for a delightful round of visits.
First is the church of Notre-Dame de Rosporden, on the banks of the first lake. This listed church dates from the 14th century. The interior contains a very fine retable and a large painting of the Assumption by Nicolas Loir.
Next is the chapel of St-Eloi which stands on the ancient Roman road from Cascadec to Locmaria, then the church in the small town of Kernével, the Moustoir chapel, also in Kernével, the chapel of Locjean and, finally, the little chapel of Sainte-Yvonne, dating from 1706.

A new park for Angers.

The 50 hectare park is a new feature on the banks of the River Maine bordering the town centre.
Designed and managed as a sustainable development project, it creates a link between the Saint-Nicolas parks and the Lac de Maine.

The architects took their inspiration from the Marais Poitevin to create a landscape of canals in one section, as well as such different areas as corridors of grasses, an oak forest, coloured woods, flowering meadows, family gardens, dunes and green waves or even water meadows.

A small parish chapel.

Built in the 16th century, the Notre-Dame-de-Recouvrance chapel is right next to the Saint-André church.
The clergy of Ploemel probably decided on the construction of this small chapel, as no records suggest that there was a wealthy sponsor. Entirely built from granite, the chapel was the product of donations from parishioners and local churchgoers. Dedicated to sailors, the Notre-Dame De Recouvrance chapel is a pilgrimage site, as shown by the votives on the walls.

A treat for book-lovers.

Old bindings, the smell of yellowed paper, out-of-print or obscure works, special editions, first editions, signed editions... Book markets are a goldmine for anyone with a taste for the written word. These are places where every reader, from the neophyte to the bookworm, can hope to stumble upon his heart's desire.

The delight of Breton religious architecture.

The small Saint-Jacques church, whose oldest parts date back to the 14th century was elevated to the status of parish church in 1880, because of the increasing number of faithful. However, the town was only founded in 1919.
The Saint-Jacques church is particularly charming, with its irregular plan. It shelters a wealth of liturgical furniture and nice works of art such as the painted statues and the paintings on the vault (Listed as a Historic Monument).

A church like a jewel.

Sainte-Anne church was built from 1887, after a collection organised by the fishing community of Le Guilvinec.
The architecture of the building is simple and austere. The church has a square steeple and shelters a rich religious heritage. Do not miss the stained glass windows or the tapestry by Abbé Morel.

Meet William the Conqueror!

You may not believe it, but you can see pirates, Vikings, princesses and 19th-century damsels all in the same day...

Festyland, a major theme park set up near the city of Caen, will welcome you with open arms. Children of all ages as well as teens and adults can be sure to find something to their liking in this magical environment!

The park's colourful shows, made of moving stories and breathtaking stunts, will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Don't miss out, get into the "festy" mood!

The everyday lives of sailors.

The Sailors' hostel of Le Guilvinec was built in 1910 on the initiative of Jacques de Thézac.
It was the first shelter of its kind, and fifteen others were built along the Breton coast afterwards. The Sailors' hostel welcomed sailors during the long winter months and organised many activities. It now houses the town's library. The original furniture, paintings and photographs remind us of this place's history.

Understanding the salt marshes.

For 20 years, the rich heritage of the Pays de Guérande, shaped by the 2,000 year-old history of salt, has been on display in the Musée des Marais Salants in Batz-sur-Mer.

The museum takes the visitor on a journey of discovery, illustrating how the salt-pans were operated, the archaeology and history of salt, the salt trade and salt taxes.

The life of the marsh-dwellers in the 19th century is remembered in the collections of furniture and regional clothing.
Collections of shell figurines, faïence decorated with themes alluding to the marshes, and paintings are also on display.

Wonderful memories of bygone years...

In the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional Normandie-Maine, on the fringes of the forest of Perseigne, cycling museum La Belle Echappée relates the history of the Tour de France cycling race and its accompanying advertising caravan.
A unique collection amassed by a dedicated race fan (consisting of famous cycles and jerseys, posters, games, toys, etc.) plus interactive and video spaces with original lighting, guaranteed to recall wonderful memories of bygone years.

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.

Firemen: modern heroes.


The Ecole du Génie, where firemen are trained, has been an institution in Angers since 1945. With such history, it was only natural that a museum be set up to preserve this rich history: thus the Musée du Génie was born within the walls of the school itself.

With over 1 000 objects and documents presented in halls throughout the museum, you will understand exactly how their motto ("Fight, Build, Save") is at the core of every member's training and attitude.

In the heart of Laval.

The church of Saint-Vénérand in Laval is a Renaissance masterpiece: serving a parish created in the late Middle Ages, the church of Saint-Vénérand stands out as the most finished expression of Renaissance art in Laval.
Still in an excellent state of repair, the church is open to visitors keen to explore its history.

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 exemplary architecture.

The currentSaint-Gilles church replaces a previous building by Gilles de Retz in the 15th century.
On 22 January 1852, the town of Pornic decided to replace this church with a new building. Work began on it in 1864 and ended in 1875. The new Neo-Romanesque church has sober lines and rich decoration, particularly the sculpted door which represents the legend of saint Gilles, the patron saint of the church.

Keeping fit in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

A little below par, or just want to feel fit? The 2,000m² of the Wellness centre help you get back in shape with your favourite sports and activities: squash, badminton, sun beds, sauna, bodybuilding or fitness training. The friendly way to keep fit.

Your ticket to adventure.

The Sables zoo is really enchanting. A green oasis on the seaside, the Sables zoo is an invitation to travel into the animal kingdom.
Your walk along the shaded paths in the midst of thriving plants will be interrupted by fascinating meetings with big cats, cheeky monkeys, touching giraffes, gripping snakes, etc... In total, over 200 animals to observe in their natural environment, close as possible to their original one.

To allow you to share its passion, our animal care team will meet you everyday, from April to September, at the otters', pandas', penguins', vultures' and wolves' mealtimes. They will no longer hold any secret from you.

Home to King René.

Don't be overawed by the apparent austerity of this schist and limestone fortress with its 17 towers, built by a young Saint Louis on the frontiers of his kingdom in the 13th century.
Cross the drawbridge and enter the castle to discover the agreeable residence of the Dukes of Anjou, consisting of late Gothic buildings and gardens.

There are other wonders to be seen, including the extraordinary Tenture de l'Apocalypse, the largest surviving mediaeval tapestry (104 metres), the famous "mille-fleurs" tapestries or the tapestry of the Passion...

Images of five continents.

Discover over 1,200 animals, 120 species from 5 continents, surrounded by luxuriant vegetation in one of the top five zoos in France, famous for its fantastic shows featuring sea-lions, birds of prey and parrots.
Stunning presentations in natural settings await you during your visit: an underwater view of a polar bear, tiny Chinese pandas, an African savannah for the elephants, a pack of Arctic wolves unique in Europe.
The zoo also offers exciting new habitats such as the Argentine pampas, the Australian bush, the taiga where the Siberian tiger roams, or the miniature Malagasy farm.

Panorama of the Liberation.

At Arromanches 360, you are at the very heart of things. An outstanding film entitled Le Prix de la Liberté, (The Price of freedom) is projected onto 9 screens in a circular room.
Combining images of the Landings in 1944 and scenes of Normandy today, this 360° cinema will be an unforgettable experience.

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.

Cholet's best-loved park.

The park was laid out in 1980 and includes provision for both physical activities (sports facilities, swimming pool) and relaxation (a tree-lined walk).

This local park is very popular with all age-groups, and the facilities provide something for everyone.

It serves as the focal point for a whole neighbourhood, a mixture of detached houses, blocks of flats and public buildings (sports college).

Authenticity intact.

The Domaine de Kerazan estate was bequeathed to the Institut de France in 1928 by Joseph Astor, the last of an eminent Breton family.
The estate consists of a manor house surrounded by 5 hectares of parkland and a vast expanse of farmland and forests. The land is farmed and maintained in accordance with the wishes of the testator, who stipulated that it should be inalienable.

The manor stands in the Finistère département, halfway between Pont-l'Abbé and Loctudy and some twenty kilometres south-west of Quimper, in Cornouaille, part of the "Bigouden country".
The heart of the estate is the manor house itself, its commons and its park, and the adjoining farm of Grand Kerazan: this was the "big farm", occupied by the "big farmer".
The most striking aspect of the estate is its authenticity: the buildings have remained intact, the manor house retains all its furnishings and collections, as if Joseph-Georges Astor had left it only yesterday.

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.

Mature trees providing a home for diverse populations.

The forest, once a "royal forest", is made up of mature oaks and is divided into three massifs occupying the terraces of the Sarthe and the adjoining hills, and became a national forest in 1868.
Granite markers laid in 1875, still to be seen around the edges of the forest, mark the boundaries of its 1,190 hectares.
It provides a refuge for familiar forest animals and birds (deer, wild boar, hares, foxes, magpies, etc.) and the forest ponds are home to an immense variety of pond life.

Steel and music.

This foundry workshop has been crafting bells since as far back as 1865; the Cornille Havard foundry has become one of if not the top manufacture in the field.

Working with moulds, molten metal and thousand-degree environments are only some of the aspects of this difficult profession. Discover an age-old craft, a tradition that has trickled through the generations to bless a select few aprrentices.

A monumental mill.

Built in 1850 on the site of ancient mills, the Moulin de Thévalles has four levels and employs an English mechanism. Other than the milling of flour, it was also employed to fill the resevoir and later was able to transmit the hydroelectric power to external devices. Since 1958 it has been conserved as a monument and icon of cultural heritage in the area.

Chateau overlooking the Loire.

The chateau overlooking the Loire, made famous by Alexandre Dumas, was built in the 15th century.

Half residence and half fortress, the building was originally four-sided, flanked by four square towers and surrounded by deep moats fed from the Loire.

After major restoration work, a tour of the chateau now includes an audio-visual tour on the theme of the Loire.

Nantes, a modern, contemporary city.

From industrial architecture like the Batignolles plant or the famous Lefèvre-Utile (LU) factory, now home to the Nantes national theatre, from religious buildings like the parish church of Sainte-Thérèse, from modern housing or offices (Le Corbusier's Delamarre building) to post-war reconstruction, from Art Nouveau (villa Jeannette) to Art Déco (CGA building), Nantes is chock-full of an exciting urban contemporary architectural heritage most of which was built during the "Trente Glorieuses", the heady years of post-war expansion from 1945 to 1975.

A prehistoric worship site.

Built in the 19th century based on the plans of the old building, the Saint-Michel chapel is at the top of a tumulus built in the Neolithic period. From the tumulus and the orientation table, you will be able to view the town and surrounding area.

There is a 16th century calvary next to the chapel, and at the bottom of the tumulus is the Saint-Michel fountain, where women used to come to worship.

Neptune's bounty…

This museum was established to honour the world of sailors and their heritage. The museum's fascinating collections retrace the history of our time on the oceans from fishing to modern day leisure sailing.

The museum even boasts a display of actual ships, an homage to the work and culture of mariners throughout history.

235,000 hectares of greenery!

Le Parc Naturel Régional Normandie-Maine is one of France's 44 regional national parks.
It covers a rural area recognised nationally for its heritage and landscape.
Between Argentan and Sillé-le-Guillaume from north to south, and between Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe and Mortain from east to west, the Park covers a total of over 235,000 hectares.
Vast moorlands, the hills of Normandy and the Maine (the westernmost point), forests, orchards of full-size fruit trees (pears in particular), streams and rivers flowing down from the watershed, outstanding cultural heritage (chateaux, manor houses, religious monuments, knowhow and traditions, etc.) set the countryside apart.

Not to be missed:
- The Maison du Parc in Carrouges: Park information centre (walking guides and maps, climbing site, discovery guides, programme of events);
- In Carrouges: exhibitions and sale of craft and food products in July, August and December, in a remarkable 16th century collegiate church;
- An outdoor activity centre in the Alpes Mancelles: outdoor activities for a better knowledge and understanding of nature (kayaking, climbing, mountain-biking, orienteering, archery, understanding the environment).

Join the Thursday night skate-in in Rennes!

Beginners, professionals or amateurs, strap on your roller-skates for a night-time ride through the streets of Rennes. The perfect combination of exercise and fun!
Zip through the city with a huge crowd of like-minded skaters, and share in the dynamic, friendly atmosphere.
Watch out for the first drops of rain, though; the evening is cancelled in the event of rain.

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.

Very modern building.

The Saint-Thérèse church was built in 1972 after the destruction of the former building, in 1928.
The former was thought to be too small and in too bad a condition and was destroyed to be replaced by the current building. The church has an original architecture. Indeed, it was built from prefabricated parts.

Consecrated to Saint Brigit.

Built in the 12th century and modified in the 16th, the Perquet chapel is consecrated to Saint Brigitte. The saint is represented next to Saint Laurent, the second patron saint of the chapel, in the calvary, which was restored in 1989.

The chapel has a beautiful collection of statues and alter. A large collection of high-quality restored stained glass windows allows coloured light into the chapel.

Open your eyes and enjoy the trip!

The visit will transport you to the shores of South Africa in company with the Cape penguins, or under the seas for an imaginary journey on our ancient submarine, the "Gulf Stream", for a close-up look at the sea turtles.
Or you could take a stroll in the direction of Bora Bora to admire its multi-coloured fish. No need to take the plane to Australia to enjoy a unique experience with the sharks, either.
Why not stop by and visit all these destinations and many more?

A taste for the authentic.

Tuesday late afternoon is organic market day in Dol de Bretagne. All those who love truly healthy fruit and vegetables, often smaller than usual because not artificially swollen with water but tasting the way fruit and vegetables used to taste, will find a wide selection of organic food products guaranteed free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers or additives.

Changing over the centuries.

Attractive in its austerity, the castle of Carrouges is a distillation of history from the 14th to the 20th century. Initially a fortress that came under siege by the Plantagenets, it was rebuilt during the Hundred Years War (keep), extended in the 15th century (Blosset wing), ornamented during the Renaissance (Cardinal Le Veneur's pavilion) and fortified yet again during the Wars of Religion (western bastion). In the 16th century, it became a magnificent residence (suite of spacious apartments) and was redesigned under the Enlightenment (music room).
The former canonry, founded by Louis XI, is now the headquarters for the Parc Naturel Régional Normandie-Maine.

Under the sun.

Cap-Coz, not far from the Fouesnant Forest, is a fine sandy beach at the tip of the bay. Often crowded with families and groups of friends, the beach offers a variety of things to do including a variety of nautical activities. Whether you want to relax or really let loose and get fit, this is the perfect place. By walking all the way up the beach and following a little trail, you will reach a small rocky island from which the view is simply exceptional.

"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.