|
Normandy gets its name from the Viking Norsemen who
sailed up the River Seine in the 9th century and colonized the
area, making Rouen their capital. Normandy has large ports with
important transatlantic trade, whilst inland it is overwhelmingly
agricultural. The image of Normandy is one of a lush, tranquil,
pastoral region of apple orchards, contented cattle, Calvados
and Camembert. There are ancient picturesque ports such as Honfleur
to visit, seaside resorts with elegant promenades, splendid centuries-old
half-timbered manor houses lining quiet countryside lanes and
extrordinary Romanesque and Gothic architectural treasures. |
Avranches is the nearest
large town to one of France's most celebrated sites, the monestry
island of Mont St Michel (see photo left). Avranches has
been a religious centre since the 6th century, the Mont's original
church was founded by Aubert, the Bishop of Avranches.
Legend has it that the Archangel Michael was so impatient with
the bishop's lack of progress that he prodded a hole in the bishop's
skull - still to be seen in the treasury of St Gervais Basilica
in Avranches. The town museum houses some of the 203 illuminated
manucsripts rescued from the abbey after the Revolution. Avranches
has a lively Thursday market and is an ideal centre to explore
the Normandy coastline and surrounding countryside.
