Any of the main cities in Normandy are easily accessible from Paris, as there are frequent services.
Normandy is the region of France located to the north west of Paris situated between the English Channel and Brittany. It was once controlled by Britain (though firmly in French hands since the 13th century save for a few British controlled Channel Islands off the coast), although there remains a Norman influence here that gives the region a slightly different cultural feel than other parts of France.
It is a mostly agricultural area where much of the country’s dairy is produced. Cattle breeding, cider production and fishing are also all important industries that help define this lush and beautiful region of France.
Bayeux Tapestry
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This small Norman city welcomes large numbers of tourists to see the immense embroidered cloth known to the French as “La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde”. It is 230 foot long and one of the largest and most detailed in the world depicting the events leading up to the Norman invasion in 1066.
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The town of Bayeux itself is also full of historical significance; being the first town liberated after D-Day and one of the few towns in the region to survive WWII rather unscathed, Bayeux has narrow streets crammed with wooden-framed Norman houses and has an impressive Gothic cathedral.
Attractions during Advent and Christmas
From 1st December 2009-15th January 2010, Mont St Michel hosts “Activities and Illuminations”, where the whole town is magically lit up.
Falaise hosts “Les Hivernales de Falaise” from 3rd-31st December 2009 with exhibitions, Christmas concerts, activities, street entertainment, Christmas market and fireworks.
The Creative Christmas Market in Evreux is available from 11th - 19th December 2009, with local arts and crafts including sculpture, jewellery, drawings, embroidery, decorations, as well as hats and clothing.
On the 16th of December, visitors can take a tour of the villages of Orne to see their special festive lights.
La Rochelle Main Attractions - La Rochelle Main Attractions
Hotel De Ville
The Hotel de Ville is a 14th century gothic style must-see attraction. Within the tour you will see many Henry II staircases and the marble desk of Jean Guiton. The ancient building houses many of La Rochelle?s pieces of history.... La Rochelle, France
Musee Des Modeles Reduits
This is a one-of-a-kind museum that features 8000 square feet of exhibits that are presented in such manners as moving model trains, computer animated naval battles, and historic scenes. During a certain time of the year they allow the children to ride the train, the museum is great and has fun for all ages.... La Rochelle, France
Parc Charruyer
The Parc Charruyer is a park that was designed somewhere between 1887 and 1890. The park was built from the legacy of mademoiselle Adele Charruyer. The park encompasses a beautiful 98 acres and has a walkway that is about 2 kilometers long. Starting in 1945 they added a small animal zoo. You can take a nice stroll along the path and see rare plants, little waterways, and ducks for the children to feed.... La Rochelle, France
The Aquarium
The aquarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions in La Rochelle. This exhibit takes visitors on a two hour long journey into the depths of the seas. They have exhibits for the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic, and the tropics. The presentation is amazing, it is held in a tank of water which contains about 3 million liters. Visitors are influenced to dive into the action of about 12000 living underwater species and learn about them.... La Rochelle, France
Tour Saint Nicolas, de la Lanterne and de la Chaine
These are three defensive towers within the city of La Rochelle that were used to guard the harbor. This tower is must see because it dates back to medieval times. The tower requires visitors to climb many stairs, it is important to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared.... La Rochelle, France