What's on in Normandy 2008?

Normandy has literally hundreds of activities, events, festivals and attractions that are simply perfect for everyone in the family, young and old.

Listed below is a selection of recommended events happening in 2008.

Note:

Please check all dates before making your holiday arrangements.

Rouen’s natural ubran park in the Seine Maritime county has been listed as the largest urban bird refuge in France by the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO).

www.rouentourisme.com

In June 2007, the Bayeux Tapestry, long celebrated as one of France’s and indeed the world’s historic treasures, was listed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

Cité de la Mer in La Manche county has opened their brand new exhibition, “Walking into the depths” dedicated to the beginnings of underwater exploration. They have also restored the old maritime terminal which was an important docking point for the grand cruise ships of the past century. The terminal has now re-opened as a large capacity conference and function center.

www.citedelamer.com

The Normandy Golf Classic

The Normandy Golf Classic on the 12th and 13th of March is a popular one day tournament, sponsored by Brittany Ferries and expected to attract around 500 golfers. Participants will play across six to eight magnificent courses throughout Normandy.

The Normandy Golf Classic

Journées des Plantes Franco-Britanniques

The Château at Crosville-sur-Douve in La Manche county plays host to the 11th annual edition of the ‘Franco-British Plants and Gardens’ celebrations over the weekend of weekend of the 19th and 20th of April.

www.chateaucrosville.com or +33 (0)2 33 41 67 25

Deauville Easter Festival

Each year, the Deauville Easter festival brings together an international group of young instrumentalists who charm listeners with their classic, romantic and contemporary repertory of stand-out music. This year will be no different, with audiences being treated to some of the most complex and important pieces of all time, including chamber music by the likes of Brahms, Schubert, Janacek, Bartok, Martinu and Messiaen. From the 19th April to the 4th of May.

www.deauville.org or +33 (0)2 31 14 40 07

Jazz under the Apple Trees Festival

Calling all Jazz lovers. The “Jazz under the Apple Trees“ festival will be livening up the streets of Coutances for the 27th year running from the 26th of April to the 3rd of May. Come to La Manche this year to enjoy excellent jazz music, with artists from all over the world, including local jazz musicians as well as renowned 3 and 4 piece acts.

www.jazzsouslespommiers.com or +33 (0)2 33 76 78 50

The Rouen Armada

In July 2008, the tall sailing ships will be back in Rouen for a week of celebrations before the race towards Liverpool begins. The Rouen Armada will host over 30 of the world’s most famous tall sailing ships from the 4th to the 15th of July, with celebrations, fireworks, street vendors and performers and nightly organized events lasting all week.

www.armada.org

Mont St Michel

2008 marks the Mont St Michel Abbey’s 13th centenary. It was in 708 that the archangel Michael visited the monk Aubert and told him to build an abbey at the top of the rocky island that has come to be known as the Wonder of the Western World. From September on, the county of La Manche will play host to a variety of celebrations and pilgrimages in honour of this extraordinary achievement.

www.manchetourisme.com and www.monuments-nationaux.fr

Deauville American Film Festival

The 34th annual American Film Festival will take place in Deauville from the 1st to the 9th of September. The streets of Deauville will be graced by Film stars and directors while the year’s best films are screened around town.

www.deauville.org