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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. |
The
old hill-top town of Coutances is 65 km south of Cherbourg.
From Roman times until the Revolution Coutances was the
capital of the Cotentin. The magnificent gothic Cathedrale de
Notre Dame in Coutances is a landmark for the surrounding
countryside, with a soaring 135 ft octagonal lantern tower and
double flying buttresses. There is "sons et lumieres"
on Sunday evenings and throughout the summer, also illuminated
are the formal fountained gardens with their rare plants, bequeathed
to Coutances on condition that herbs be given to the people
of Coutances free of charge.
