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Vire
is situated in some of the most beautiful countryside in France.
The forest of Saint Sever is nearby. Vire is renowned
for its andouille (chitterling sausage). Local life in Vire
is French life - the restaurants are friendly, the markets are
everywhere selling everything you need, making Vire an
inexpensive place to visit. Try the market at Martilly on Sunday
morning! Vire is an hour from Caen and about four hours
drive from the Channel Tunnel along excellent, open motorways.
A typical three course meal in a local restaurant will cost you
about 15 Euros plus wine. Vire town centre has a beautiful
15th century bell tower, the church of Notre-Dame, a museum,
ruins of the feudal castle and sports facilities. Restaurants
in Vire are packed with local specialities, including
andouillettes, salmon or trout fresh from the river, accompanied
by local poiré. |
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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. |
