Medieval astrology
BDFrom Giverny, head for Rouen. This remarkable medieval city is home to a very grand 11th-century cathedral, which features many noteworthy quirks, resulting from nearly a millennium of reconstruction and renovations. Be sure to visit Rue du Gros-horloge, to see what is possibly the world’s largest remaining astrological clock.
At this point, you might want a break from historic Normandy, so take the opportunity to head towards the coast, where you can drive the celebrated Corniche Normande. Scenic coastal towns, harbours and fishing villages pepper this coastline, so it’s well worthwhile exploring what these places have to offer.
Caen has to be the next port of call for any tour of Normandy. While records of the city date back to the Romans, little remains of its historic past, because it was almost flattened by bombs during World War II.
To ease yourself into the history of Normandy’s role in that conflict, head to the Mémorial de Caen. Tickets are €14.50 (£13.20) for adults (children go free) and the museum is an essential stop for any keen historian.
With your initiation into Normandy’s World War II history completed, it’s time to fully immerse yourself in the region’s gritty past. Drive further along the coast to Bayeux – this largely medieval city is the real nerve centre of the region’s D-day story, so it’s worth setting up base here for a few days to explore at your leisure.
The area’s plethora of museums, monuments and memorials are clear testament to how the legacy of
C
liberation lives on to this day. A good place to start any tour is the battlefield itself. There are five key beaches involved – Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword – all with memorials and museums.
Several local towns tell remarkable tales of D-day heroism. Head to Sainte-mère-eglise to see the famous memorial to the parachutist who became tangled up on the church’s spire. Inside the church, fine stained-glass windows celebrate the paratroopers who reclaimed the town from its occupiers.
Wartime history
At the nearby town of Arromanches-les-bains, Allied troops constructed an artificial Mulberry harbour, which allowed a flow of essential equipment and ammunition during the months after the D-day landings. Some of the Mulberry’s concrete blocks still remain on the beaches. And at the celebrated Musée du Débarquement – adults €8.20 (£6.90), children €6 (£5.50) – you can learn more about the logistics of building these vital harbours.
Further along the coastline, don’t miss the remarkable German battery at Longues-sur-mer. It retains all of its guns, most in quite exceptional condition. The site is well preserved and free to wander around.
If you are planning to visit the war cemeteries, the most imposing has
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