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• Picardy and Normandy

Picardy

General

A region of fertile plains and lush wooded valleys with a beautiful coastline. In the north near Calais, the white cliffs of Cap Gris Nez lead down to the sandy bays of Wissant and Wimereux - family resorts that retain an Edwardian elegance. Inland there are ancient woodlands and historic towns, medieval churches, castles and famous battlefields such as Agincourt.

Places to Visit

Le Touquet
A lively, fashionable Victorian resort with superb beaches and casino, race course, a waterpark called Aqualand on the seafront and a yachting harbour.

Amiens
Capital of Picardy and home to the largest cathedral in France. Hire a boat and view the unique floating vegetable gardens.

Battlefields of Picardy
A number of sites that witnessed some of the harshest fighting of World War 1. You can take guided tours around the battlefields where you will also see the cemeteries and memorials.

Abbeville
A thriving town close to St Valéry. The Church of St Vulfran has a superb gothic façade, and just outside the town is an 18th century château with botanical garden.

Dieppe
One of France’s oldest seaside resorts and now a busy weekend resort with a chic promenade and attractions including casino.

St Valéry
An attractive medieval port, with ancient ramparts surrounding the narrow cobbled streets.

Family Attractions

Nausicaã
The world’s largest sea life centre in Boulogne. It has a stunning recreation of a South sea reef, 10 feet long sharks and ray fish swimming overhead!

Bagatelle Amusement Park
A popular Amusement Park set in an attractive wooded location with something for all ages. The theme park has a choice of exciting rides including ‘Le Raft’ - not for the faint hearted! There is also a zoo, boating lake and popular restaurants.

Walking
We provide detailed walking notes at the Houlgate campsite.

Normandy

General

So near and yet so French, this is a very rural and peaceful region with half-timbered farmhouses, ancient churches and rolling green countryside. West of Caen the area becomes more hilly with gorges and wooded valleys. Fashionable resorts have sprung up along the coast between tiny fishing villages, such as Honfleur, and yachting marinas, tucked into sheltered inlets. The coastline of towering cliffs and beaches is famous as the location of the D-Day Landings, and many fascinating historical buildings, castles and monuments remind visitors of Normandy’s rich and colourful past.

Places to Visit

Honfleur
A pretty yachting harbour edged by tall slate-fronted houses and cobbled streets, full of galleries and antique shops.

Deauville
Known as the Monte Carlo of the North, a stylish resort with an attractive wide promenade, casino and sandy beach. The delightful old harbour is the haunt of many artists in summer.

Trouville-sur-Mer
A popular seaside resort with a superb sandy beach backed by a wooden promenade, with plenty of tempting fish restaurants.

Houlgate
This Edwardian resort has lovely bars and restaurants. The wide beach is excellent for children’s beach games.

Rouen
An attractive city where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Ancient half-timbered houses line its narrow streets in the old quarter, with excellent shopping.

Bayeux
Home to the magnificent 11th century Bayeux tapestry, depicting the story of the Norman Conquest.

Pont l’Evêque
Home to the famous cheese and calvados, south east of Deauville.

Caen
A thriving city, with great churches, William the Conqueror’s 11th century fortress and D-Day landings museum.

Granville
A fortified town with a lively yachting centre, excellent beaches and regular boat trips to the Channel Islands.

Barfleur
A thriving port and seaside resort famous for its oysters, with one of the tallest lighthouses in France.

Cabourg
A large seaside resort with yacht marina, retaining its Edwardian elegance.

Luc-sur-Mer
A small seaside resort, the main attractions of which are the attractive gardens housing the skeleton of a whale that beached here over 90 years ago.

Family Attractions

Mont St Michel
A Gothic monastery and fortress set above a medieval village on a granite mound, an island at high tide.