Events & festivals in Normandy in January

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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 place of character.

This tiny commune surrounded by forest is a site of historic, architectural, geological and botanical interest.
When you visit, don't miss:

- the chapel of Saint-Michel, dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, lies on the pilgrim routes used throughout the Middle Ages by pilgrims making their way to Mont Saint-Michel.
It suffered during the Wars of Religion and under the Revolution.

- The priory: it features an 11th century Romanesque porch, undoubtedly the finest of its kind in Normandy, six splendid capitals representing hunting scenes, and some restored frescoes.

- Neolithic settlement: the settlement has four enclosure walls looking down over the valley of the Cance.
According to local tradition, it was once a Roman military camp.
It is certainly an ancient site dating from th Bronze Age and would have served as a place of refuge, a defensive position and a look-out post.

Porcelain and old lace.

The Hôtel du Doyen presents part of the artistic and historical collections of the Musée Baron Gérard (porcelain and Bayeux lace, paintings) in the form of temporary exhibitions.
Admission is free on presentation of the ticket to the Tapestry Museum.

Bringing to life the epic history of William the Conqueror.

For almost 1,000 years, this seemingly endless woollen tapestry has carried down through the ages its images depicting the conquest of England by William, Duke of Normandy.
Almost like an ancient precursor of the comic strip, it will transport you to the heart of this mediaeval epic, surrounded by Viking dragon-boats and Norman knights.

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.

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.

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€.

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).

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€

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

Lover of authentic local foods?

The farm is organised to handle the full range of farming operations starting with 2 day-old ducklings and ending in finished products for sale at the farm or at market.
The ducks grow and develop peacefully on the farm's three hectares of meadowland.
At 13 weeks, they are force-fed exclusively on whole grain corn.
The next step in preparation takes place in spacious areas under strictly-controlled conditions, to arrive at our outlets in the form of pâtés and ready-cooked dishes, duck terrine with whole foie gras or blocks, rillettes... Bon appétit!

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Sticky but delicious.

Before it gets to that annoying but delicious stage of sticking to our teeth and palates, toffee has to go through a series of transformations, all of which are described in this factory tour which takes visitors through every phase of the manufacturing process.

From bubbling in a copper vat, with the addition of different ingredients that produce various toffees, through to the packaged product, you'll find your mouth watering from start to finish.

A place of Marian worship.

Funded by subscription, the first stone of the basilica was laid on 26 March 1855, and the church was consecrated on 7 May 1872 par Monseigneur Rousselet in the presence of a vast crowd.
On stepping inside the door, the visitor is transfixed by the play of light filtering through the 48 stained glass windows, the many ex votos, the scintillating reflections of the gold in the great Holy Trinity medallion above the Virgin.

Dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the occasion of the Proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854, the iconography of the basilica is dedicated to explaining, illustrating and glorifying this act of faith.
Special celebrations and pilgrimages are held on key dates in the Marian calendar, in the Month of Mary, and on the anniversary of the basilica's consecration.

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.

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.

The biggest forest in the département.

The forest of Ecouves, covering an area of 8,153 hectares, is managed by the French forestry commission, the Office National des Forêts, and is the largest in the département.
The ONF, which manages 27,000 hectares of state-owned forests in the Orne, is charged with preserving France's natural heritage by implemeting multi-functional management of the three main functions assigned to the national forests:
- economic activity, through the production of high quality workable wood;
- A choice of tree species and techniques appropriate to the ecological conditions (climate, soil, etc.);
- Sustainable game management;
- Recreational functions including:
- public amenity areas;
- environmental education in schools and for the general public;
- Opening of footpaths;
- An environmental function: with a programme of campaigns aimed at the conservation and/or rehabilitation of habitats and species of special heritage interest.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A selection of treasures of sacred art.

The museum displays a selection of masterpieces of sacred art: paintings, sculptures, gold and silver work, cabinet-making, liturgical ornaments from the Middle Ages down to the present day.
These include the ivory liturgical comb of Saint Thomas à Becket, reliquaries from the abbey of Saint-Evroult, the Carrouges chasuble.

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.

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.