Bonjour Normandy
Normandy is one of the great historic regions of France and has a unique charm to it. It derives its name from the settlement of the territory by mainly Danish and Norwegian Vikings from the ninth century.
France continues to be a popular destination in Europe for Indians but travellers forget that the majestic land is not just restricted to Paris. While Paris is constantly reinvented, Normandy, on the other hand, is a land of nature and culture, beach and countryside, cheese and love. From Mont Saint-Michel to Giverny, from Étretat to Caen, from Deauville to Rouen, from Eu to Cherbourg, Normandy is quite diverse. These iconic places in the region haven't been explored as much and visitors must experience this majestic little empire in all its glory.
MUSÉE CHRISTIAN DIOR (GRANVILLE)
Located in the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, the most iconic part of Granville is Musee Christian Dior. Perched atop a cliff overlooking the sea, this villa stands in the middle of a garden designed by Christian Dior and his mother Madeleine. This villa was his childhood home and features two of his favourite colours – pink and grey. It is also the only museum in France devoted to a fashion designer.
The Christian Dior museum organises two temporary exhibitions each year where haute couture dresses, shoes, hats and other accessories are displayed. The panoramic view of the sea from the villa is just breathtaking. While the building inside has gone through a renovation, few things like closets and attic have been kept intact. The grandeur of the villa, inside and out, reflects the source of Dior’s inspiration. Speaking about the importance of this villa, Christian Dior once wrote, "The house of my childhood... I keep the most tender and amazing memory. My life, my style, I owe almost everything to its site and its architecture.” Musée Christian Dior will indeed take visitors back in time of the biggest fashion icon's days of youth.
BAYEUX TAPESTRY (BAYEUX)
With its narrow cobbled streets and cathedral at its heart, Bayeux is a perfect example of a medieval Norman town. If you have an interest in Norman history, this place will captivate you with its old-world charm. Bayeux Tapestry, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a unique document which tells the story of the Norman conquest of England in 1066 by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy. The Tapestry of Bayeux invites you to discover the conquest of the throne of England by William the Conqueror, from 1064 until the end of the Battle of Hastings. The Bayeux Tapestry is 70 metres long and 50 centimetres high. Visitors are given an audio tape at the beginning which is available in multiple languages. The entire story is beautifully embroidered on linen with coloured woolen yarns. The duration of the trip is about 30-40 minutes.
PANORAMA XXL (ROUEN)
The Panorama is located in Rouen on the right bank of the Seine, along avenue Pasteur. It is also next to Rouen’s historic centre and its famous monuments. Panorama XXL is a unique and spectacular cultural site which offers a view of the best 360-degree artworks in the world, open to the public since December 2014. Skillfully mixing drawing, painting, photography and computer-generated images, the canvasses in the Panorama XXL combine gripping realism in stunning proportions. The audio and the visuals combined together will enchant you with its rich history. Panorama XXL that has
three different venues – the auditorium, the patio and the rotunda – can also be rented out.
JOAN OF ARC HISTORICAL EXHIBITION (ROUEN)
The Joan of Arc History Museum is one of its kinds. With beautiful original displays using audio-visuals, sound effects and 3D projections, the history plunges you in the midst of a criminal investigation in the most famous judicial investigation in Rouen’s history. Witnesses, reconstructions and audio-visual effects will take you on an unusual experience which dives into the heart of the fifteenth century. From her military actions to retake the French throne to her ordeal at the stake, the epic and captivating story can be experienced through the medieval rooms of a monument previously closed to the pub. The first part of the visit consists of a film projected along the length of the six halls of the palace. This is followed by a number of multimedia displays telling how the legend came to be created and how it was subsequently politicised over the centuries. The Historial, the largest site dedicated to the memory of Joan of Arc, is located within the Rouen Archbishop’s Palace. After significant restoration work, this building – classified as a historic monument – has been open to the public since March 2015. The aim of the Historial is to not only: to present the era of Joan of Arc but also to discover the myth, using the most advanced multimedia technologies along with spectacular scenography.
ST. JOSEPH CHURCH (LE HAVRE)
Le Havre is a major European port that combines the attractions of a modern, vibrant city with the charm of a seaside resort and a great nightlife with its casinos. The city was rebuilt after World War II in modernistic style and is now recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. St. Joseph Church was designed by Auguste Perret. It is a 107-metre-high tower, containing 12,768 panes of coloured glass, and is a spiritual beacon and landmark of the city. The church is often referred to as a lighthouse because of its octagonal tower, which lights up at night. This concrete Catholic Church was built as a memorial to the 5,000 people of Le Havre who died during World War II. The vibe of the city remains modern as more than 70 per cent of it has been reconstructed post the War. The city of Le Havre has sports activities, nature, history and contemporary cafes. From the party-goers to history lovers to the sport fanatics, the town is a true landmark. Le Havre has an important place in the twentieth century and post your visit, you will realise, it has a special place in your heart too.
MAISON ET JARDINS DE CLAUDE MONET (GIVERNY)
Home to Claude Monet, a leading figure in the Impressionist movement, Maison et jardins de Claude Monet is a pink house where Monet lived from 1883 to 1926. Everything has been kept the way it was when Monet used to live there. From the utensils in the kitchen, to the attic and the bed, the beauty of Monet’s house has been truly maintained over the years. Visitors can admire the master’s collection of Japanese prints and the Nympheas studio, which now houses the Foundation’s shop. Giverny has become famous the world over, thanks to Claude Monet, who painted his series of water lilies there, among other works. Monet’s enormous house comprises the blue sitting room where Alice Hoschedé-Monet sat with the children. The next room is Monet's entrance, fitted into a small pantry. It was not heated and was therefore used to store food, especially eggs and tea. From the pantry comes Monet's first studio, that later became a room where the painter welcomed his visitors, art dealers, critics and collectors. A very steep staircase leads from the pantry to the upper floor where one can find Monet's bedroom. He died in this room in December 1926. Then comes Alice’s bedroom as Claude and his wife Alice didn't share the same bedroom. Her bedroom is decorated with Japanese woodblocks featuring female characters. Then comes the most dramatic aspect of the house, which is Monet’s dining room. Painted in two tones of yellow, the walls are packed with Japanese engravings. The dining room is connected to the kitchen where all the utensils are kept the way they were during Monet’s time. Another famous aspect of the house is its garden where he used to sit, get inspired and paint. The water garden with the famous Japanese bridge, wisteria, azalea and pond and the unique combination of sky and water used to inspire the artists’ water lily canvas. From admiring few original works by Monet to taking a stroll in the garden that remained his muse, a visitor will truly find the mansion to be one of the highlights of Normandy.
CHÂTEAU GUILLAUME LE CONQUÉRANT (FALAISE)
William-the conqueror was born in Falaise in 1027 and accomplished his first feat of arms at the castle. His victory was the founding act of his powerbase with Normandy. His destiny would lead him to England where he would be crowned king and the keeps of Falaise castle bear witness to this conquest, which would profoundly change the course of history of Europe. Today, the context of this long history is illustrated using new technology, with enhanced reality bringing the daily surroundings of dukes and kings back to life with the brightness of the colours and the opulence of the furnishings. Touch tablets are handed out to visitors at the start of the visit show the interiors of the castle rooms in stunning virtual reconstructions. Apart from this, the animated scenes make the daily life of civilians and soldiers in medieval times come alive. The best part of this experience is, once you locate the tablet at a particular thing, it will show you how it looked like in the eleventh century. Climb up the top of the castle to find the entire glimpse of the city Falaise. So while the interiors of the castle have been restored, technology has made sure that the visitors don’t miss the old world charm.