Events & festivals in Normandy in February

Truly traditional cuisine…

The Mère Poulard Inn, located on the famed Mont Saint-Michel, is turning 120 this year!

Established in the late 19th century, the inn owes its name to person who orchestrated its foundation and success: Annette Poulard. Annette was only 20 when the Mont, which had become a prison after the French revolution, returned to its normal state as a site of pilgrimage.

In 1888 Annette and her husband decided to open an auberge or inn, a place where pilgrims and visitors could enjoy a healthy meal and a warm bed. Annette was soon known as Mère Poulard ("Mother Poulard"), for "mère" was at the time used to designate exceptionally good cooks. Year by year, visitors would pour in to delight in the 700 or so recipes served by the Auberge, including the now famous Mère Poulard omelette.

Nowadays, years after Annette passed away, the Auberge strives to perpetuate her gastronomical tradition. Some of her recipes found their way into supermarkets, and a number of traditional products (buiscits for example) bear the Mère Poulard label.

Down in the crushing depths where man has no place…

A new attraction is available for visitors of the Cité de la Mer. From February 2nd, you can enjoy this fantastic experience thanks to cutting-edge 3D-animation and simulator technology: discover the abyss from the point of view of a submarine surrounded by deep-sea creatures!

From there you can enjoy an hour-long virtual tour… Open your eyes and admire the riches of Neptune's Kingdom!

From swing to rhythm and blues…

From swing to rhythm and blues and even some choreographed street dance…the best music and the best dancers find their place in a succession of different sets presenting acrobatics, vocals, magic and dance.

To bring out the very best response in the audience, the troop of artists and magicians pull out all the stops: virtuosity, energy, seduction, glamour, etc.

This is a review that is suitable for families, offering everyone an evening of spectacular entertainment.

Label Orne Terroir.

Buildings new and old on the edge of the Forêt d'Ecouves, with free-range birds roaming in green fields.
On sale, per kilo:
Chicken: 6.10€
Duckling: 7€
Guinea fowl: 7.10€
Turkey: 7.62€
Duck: 6.40€
Capon: 13.10€

3 different ciders.

Drop in and taste 3 very different ciders made in the cider-apple orchards in the Normandy bocage in the centre of this granite-built hamlet (10 min from the Château de Carrouges).
When the current owners took over the farm 15 years ago, they planted 10 different varieties of apple tree.
Taste the ciders and the cider jelly.
John will be more than happy to answer all your questions.

Contemporary art with a modern feel.

Within its outer walls, thanks to the diversity of backdrops available, the chateau offers a splendid setting for this first series of five sculptures, three modern and two contemporary, launching this ambitious project: Rodin's Walking Man on a Column, Bourdelle's Grand Guerrier (the warrior), Giacometto's Grande Femme (tall woman), Sans Titre (untitled) by Damien Cabanes (1999), coloured resin, and One Man, Nine Animals.

The exhibition is an invitation to discovery and surprise, open to all walkers and visitors.

Learn the professional driver's touch.

A stable of 90 performance cars, rotated regularly, takes you roaring along the track and roads running through 90 hectares of exceptional settings as you discover the thrill of driving.
Daily and by appointment for groups and individuals, get in training for one of five activities:
Grand Prix go-karting: steer your 270cm3 sports kart round the 800-metres FFSA-aproved track;
25€ per half-hour and per person (includes initial briefing, time trials and race, minimum age: 14) ;
Quad biking on 15km of off-road tracks and paths;
25€ per half-hour and per person, minimum age: 6;
Driving a Lotus Super 7 (115 CV, 520 kg);
80€ per half-hour and per car, driving licence required;
Driving a Lotus Elise (130 CV) or Spider Renault Sport (150 CV) for an introduction to race drivng on a 2km race-track;
95€ per half-hour and per car, permanent radio contact with the instructor, personalised comments, driving licence required;
In association with Renault Sport, take the wheel of the Mégane RS, Clio RS or Clio V6;
100€ per 1/2 hour per car, 40€ for an introductory drive in a Clio V6.

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.

Mediaeval Bayeux.

The ancient historic centre of Bayeux has remained entirely mediaeval in its structure. Completely spared by the Allied bombardments of 1944, it proudly displays an extraordinary architectural heritage.
Solemnly consecrated on 14 July 1077, in the presence of William, Duke of Normandy and King of England, the cathedral underwent further expansion and embellishment from the 13th to the 15th century.

Time-honoured knowhow.

The workshop exists to safeguard the knowhow handed down by the lace-makers of Bayeux from the 17th century.
The Conservatoire, a place to learn and perfect lace-making skills, keeps alive the technique of bobbin lace making.
Year-round exhibition, events and articles for sale.

When in Normandy, drink cider!

Le Buhot farm is located near the town of Sées, in a former 15th century priory.
We make our cider from eight varieties of cider-apple.
You are cordially invited to taste our products at the farm.

On sale:
Cider: 2.03€ to 2.45€ per bottle;
Apple juice: 1.70€ ;
Aperitif: 9.15€.

Help yourself!

Fine French and foreign foods, dinner + show, snacks, business functions, birthdays or get-togethers.
Whether in the centre of Cherbourg, around a table in one of the many restaurants of Haut-Cotentin or on the traditional markets, every day or for that special occasion, treat yourself to delicious old favourites or new taste sensations.

Help yourself!

Fine French and foreign foods, dinner + show, snacks, business functions, birthdays or get-togethers.
Whether in the centre of Cherbourg, around a table in one of the many restaurants of Haut-Cotentin or on the traditional markets, every day or for that special occasion, treat yourself to delicious old favourites or new taste sensations.

All the civilisations in one museum.

Founded in 1832 and surrounded by a magnificent botanical garden, the museum invites visitors to discover a fascinating and original collection of archaeological and ethnographic exhibits from the 5 continents.
Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the one-time "cabinets of curiosities" to discover a fabulous collection of stuffed animals, fossils, minerals and exotic objects (rooms dedicated to Egypt, Asia, Oceania, Africa and America) or yet more treasures unearthed by archaeological digs in the region.

Producing and selling foie gras.

The farm, started by Philippe Beaudouin in 1986, is in Normandy. The setting is beautiful, at the foot of the Massif d'Ecouves, in the Normandie-Maine national park and 25 km from the administrative centre (préfecture) of Alençon.
Production, processing and sale of foie gras. The team welcomes visits from individuals and from groups of 50 to 60 people.

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.

The Longest Day.

A short distance from the beaches of the Normandy Landings, the Battle of Normandy memorial museum in Bayeux, the first town to be liberated on the morning of 7 June 1944, presents a unique and exhaustive picture of the fighting that took place on Norman soil between 7 June and 29 August 1944.
The museum displays were updated in 2006 and now alternate a classic historical account with themed sections, a new 25-minute archive film and presentations of Second World War equipment and uniforms illustrating the historical account. The new presentation gives a better understanding of the enormous war effort made in the course of this battle to win back freedom in Europe.

Sainte Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus was baptised here in 1873...

In the heart of the pedestrian zone, the 15th-16th century church of Notre-Dame is astonishing in its proportions, and in the elegance of its Flamboyant Gothic nave and the delicate tracery of sculpture on the porch, described as "dentelle de pierre", lace carved from stone.
Sainte Thérèse de l'Enfant Jésus was baptised here in 1873; her baptismal robe is on display in a chapel on the northern side-aisle.
The church also features a magnificent set of 16th century stained glass.

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.

An historic beach.

On the site of Omaha Beach itself, the 1,200m² museum presents a splendid collection of uniforms, weapons, personal effects and vehicles.
Impressive scenes and superb archive photos, maps, themed panels, a landing-craft, a Belgian barrier, a 155mm Long Tom gun, a Sherman tank and a film accompanied by personal accounts from U.S. veterans provide a clear explanation of the landings on Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc.

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).

A taste for the authentic.

Every Wednesday morning, Honfleur holds its organic market in the Place Sainte-Catherine.
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.

Discover the Andouille fo Vire

Typical component in the cuisine of Normandy, and source of pride, the andouille (special sausage) of Vire is still produced artisanally in the Andouillerie in Sienne Valley.
Located near the Mont Saint-Michel and the D-Day beaches, this small family business, run by Jacqueline and Bernard Boscher, produces andouille, smoked ham, traditional pates and other regional products.

During guided tours of the facilities, the public is invited to discover the manuel fabrication of the andouille followed by a tasting of this speciality whose recipe has been passed down from generation to generation.

Church listed as an historic monument.

The 11th century church of Sainte-Marguerite was used as a place of worship by the faithful of Carrouges until the 19th century.
Originally Romanesque in style but substantially modified over the centuries, the church today is a vast granite building in the shape of a Latin cross.
Not to be missed: the impressive Louis XIII polychrome wood retable, the tabernacle and the rotating pulpit, all listed as historic monuments.

Not just on Fridays!

Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, the catch of the day is sold at Honfleur fish market on the Jetée de Transit.
If you love fresh-caught fish, here is the place to find all the best of the seasonal catch, to be cooked or eaten raw, as tartare in a lemon -juice marinade, as a ceviche, or as sushi.

A sanctuary made of silica.

10km from Arromanches, the Juno Beach Centre is the only Canadian museum on the Normandy Landings. It retraces the history of Canada during the Second World War and presents a picture of Canada today (films, interactive terminals, sound archives, collections, etc.). The Juno Beach Centre is also the only museum offering guided tours of the beach and its remains of the Atlantic Wall.

In honour of a great man.

It is in the splendid Renaissance "Logis du Gouverneur" (late 15th century), just 100 metres from the Sous-Prefecture that became the seat of the first authorities to assume control of a newly-liberated France in 1944, that a record is kept of the five key encounters between General de Gaulle and Bayeux.
Two of these encounters have left their mark on French history: 14 June 1944 and 16 June 1946. The five encounters are recalled in a collection of numerous archive documents, both printed and photographic, in film footage from the period and of objects that once belonged to the General.

Abbey founded in the 6th century by Saint Evroult.

The abbey was pillaged and rebuilt in the 18th century, then dissolved at the time of the Revolution.
In 1839, the abbey became a major seminary.
The present Neo-Classical chapel dates from this period.
Purchased in 1936 by a national health fund, the Caisse d'Assurance Maladie of the Ile-de-France, the abbey is now used as a physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre.
It is only open for visits on national heritage days (Journées du Patrimoine).

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.

Shortbread treats.

Created in 1904 by Charles Bansard, Asnelles shortbread continues to perfume the air of the town to this day. The factory also produces other shortbread cakes as well as cookies and financiers (almond cakes), still using traditional craftsman's methods. Visits (by appointment) explain the manufacturing process and production line.

Delicious duck

Duck farming, production of farmhouse foie gras;
Sale of duck products: foie gras, confits, terrines, rillettes, smoked breast fillets;
Ready-cooked dishes in sealed jars: cassoulets, sauerkraut with duck confit, duck with orange, duck thighs in cider, etc.

Entrancing in its beauty and serenity.

It is to the Benedictine monks of the Middle Ages and the Classical period that Caen owes the majesty of its Town Hall, which occupies the former abbey of Saint-Etienne, known as the Abbaye-aux-Hommes. And, of course, to William the Conqueror who built the castle and, with his wife Matilda, founded the two abbeys that dominate the landscape.

A delicious market display.

Honfleur's traditional market is a positive delight for anyone who appreciates the best fresh fruit and vegetables or fish, as well as for lovers of fine food looking for the best local produce (milk jam, honey, marmalade, garden vegetables, orchard fruit, chicken, rabbit, cheese, farmhouse butter, foie gras, oysters, etc.)

In praise of "xocoatl".

Chocolate had to journey from the other side of the world to bring its delights to Europe. The Chocolate Museum prides itself on explaining that journey and the history of chocolate from the time of the first cocoa trees, venerated by the Maya, until the arrival of the precious cocoa beans in Europe to be processed and turned into various preparations.
The highlight of the show? Watching, from behind glass windows, the preparation of drakkars, chocolates, mouldings and apples in Calvados.

A natural habitat to be protected.

Les Petits Riaux lies within the Ecouves forest, in the commune of Lande-de-Goult, and is a typical example of the peat-bogs of the Massif Armoricain.
These rare habitats are home to a distinctive range of plants capable of adapting to the harsh prevailing conditions.
Guided tours are available through the Park or the Conseil Général de l'Orne.
Group visits can be organised on request (for predetermined groups).
Plants of particular interest include drosera (sundew), butterworts (small carnivorous plants), sphagnum mosses forming thick, spongy carpets, or the bog asphodel (Narthecium Ossifragum).

In the hamlet of Goult, explore "Caesar's camp" (a Neolithic settlement) and the Priory of Saint-Michel de Goult (12th century porch).

Fresh produce!

The ID Fruits orchards at Villiers-le-Sec open their gates to the public in June and July from Monday to Friday between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m..
Get your fresh cherries here!
From October to April, pears and apples are on sale.

One of the finest Gothic churches in Normandy.

The cathedral of Sées is one of the finest 13th-14th century Gothic buildings to be found in Normandy.
Its 70m high spires are visible from over 10km around.

Worth visiting:
Outside: the central and lateral portals;
Inside: the fine "Romanesque" main altar dates from the period of Louis XVI and is the work of Brousseau;
The organ is a 1743 Parisot, transformed into a Cavaillé-Coll in 1883 and restored in 1972.

Over 200 breeding animals.

This small breeds conservatory, specialising in miniature breeds, features ponies, donkeys, cows, goats, sheep, pigs and alpacas:
Pets for sale, warranties/deliveries in France and abroad;
Approved show-farm: see over 200 breeding pairs during a guided tour of the farm.

36,000 hectares of unspoilt nature.

The Perche is an ancient French province enjoying something of a revival, and is distinguished by a strong geographical, historical, landscape and architectural identity. The Parc Naturel Régional du Perche, created five years ago, covers 118 communes divided between two départements, the Eure-et-Loir and the Orne. The Perche is characterised by a wide diversity of natural habitats: bocages (a mixture of fields, hedgerows and woodland), pastures, 36,000 hectares of forest, ponds and wetlands, hillsides and moorland supporting over 1,200 plant species and a varied fauna including some thirty species listed as of European interest.
The Perche also enjoys a remarkable architecural heritage: manor houses, splendid farms and picturesque villages. The identity of the Perche is also expressed in its customs, local events, traditional activities and popular arts and crafts.
The Manoir de Courboyer, standing in a 65 hectare landscaped estate, houses the Maison du Parc. The estate is a focal point for tourism and cultural activities, offering a range of events and activities: tours of the manor house, exhibitions, Perche produce stalls, a gastronomy centre, etc.

Discovering the Cotentin.

Where the département of the Manche meets the Calvados, on the "threshold of the Cotentin", the Parc Naturel Régional des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin is made up of 27,000 hectares of marshland and polders set in a landscape of traditional bocage woodland and rolling meadows (90,000 hectares). Pastureland and hay-meadows, crisscrossed by ditches and dotted with the occasional peat-bog, are the distinctive features of this wetland area that opens out onto the Baie des Veys. With the advent of the winter floods, the marsh turns "white" as the Cotentin peninsula comes into its own.
Less extensive areas of moorlands, woods and forest plus the coastline add diversity to the landscape.

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.

Lest we forget.

In chronological order, the museum retraces the different stages in the history of the Second World War, from the exodus to the Liberation.
It stresses the primordial role played by the port of Cherbourg as a supply base for the Allied armies fighting to win back France.
The permanent collection has been reorganised and new displays created: prisoners of war, everyday life under the Occupation, and the victims of genocide. Whether this is your first visit or one of many, the Liberation Museum is well worth your attention.

Where silence reigns.

With its church and conventual buildings, the abbey of Saint-Martin forms a fine classical example of the 18th century. Visit the abbey church, the sacristy and the main convent rooms including the extensive library containing 50,000 volumes.

An open history-book...

Situated in the centre of the Orne département, a stone's throw from the forest of Ecouves, Sées has been an episcopal town city since the 5th century and has managed over the centuries to retain all the charm of a small town while gradually acquiring the essential facilities of everyday life.
Any visitor who enjoys characterful towns will appreciate the simple pleasure of exploring the historic, craft and gastronomic legacy of this administrative centre of 5,000 souls living around their cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic art bearing witness to a long history of some considerable interest.

To explore Sées is, above all, to open up a precious history book to be deciphered street by street, monument by monument, with an epilogue that gives pride of place to local craftsmanship.
The Tourist Office organises guided tours of the episcopal city and its cathedral, by appointment only and for groups.

A regional product.

"Le Carrouges" is a farmhouse gruyère-type cheese that can also be found featuring in recipes by local restaurateurs as well as on the cheese counter at grocery stores.
Look for it on market stalls in Alençon, Argentan, Carrouges, la Ferté-Macé, Caen, Lisieux, Falaise and Bagnoles-de-l'Orne.

Help yourself!

Fine French and foreign foods, dinner + show, snacks, business functions, birthdays or get-togethers.
Whether in the centre of Cherbourg, around a table in one of the many restaurants of Haut-Cotentin or on the traditional markets, every day or for that special occasion, treat yourself to delicious old favourites or new taste sensations.

Norman collection.

The museum owns an extensive collection of 15th and 19th century works. From Fra Angelico to Camille Claudel by way of Guillaume Fouace and David, the museum offers a splendid collection of some 300 paintings and sculptures from the 15th to the 19th centuries.
As Normandy's third largest museum, it houses a unique collection of the works of Jean-François Millet, Van Gogh's "spiritual father" (some thirty paintings, plus sketches, charcoals and prints).
One room is entirely given over to the works of Guillaume Fouace, a local artist who enjoyed considerable success during his lifetime, particularly with his still-lifes. They hang in the section following the Millet exhibition...

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere.

In the course of your visit, you will learn all about the history of the building of the artificial Mulberry harbour that was the key to the success of the Battle of Normandy.
The museum also presents the various phases of the Allied landings, from the design of the artificial harbour known as Port Winston to the liberation of the coast (mechanical models, diorama, video, etc.), plus screenings of British Admiralty archive film footage of the construction and operation of the Mulberry harbours.

A giant preserved.

The Château de Fontaine-Henry is perched high over the rich green valley of the Mue.
Its dizzyingly high roofs top a richly sculpted building in the 15th and 16th century styles.
Follow the guide around the interior of the chateau and admire an outstanding collection of furniture and old masters. Children will enjoy the special activities laid on for them in the grounds, and the old-fashioned toys and games.