Apple cider and oysters: the discovery of Normandy and Brittany

Usually these two regions of France are grouped into one trip and rightly so: the two triangles jutting into the Atlantic Ocean are fine to explore in a trip of about 3 weeks.

Our first stop was Rouen. Not because it is the capital of Normandy but because it has a beautiful Cathedral and this city, which, like Paris, lies on the Seine, has a beautiful old city center. As everywhere in France, you eat delicious food here, delicious Camembert hothouses and the apple cider are available everywhere. Delicious!

From there the route is given: the rocks of Etretat are a must. Beautiful how these limestone rocks rise from the ocean. Take a walk along the coast and enjoy this natural beauty!

We drove on to Honfleur, a picturesque town on the coast. Many buildings are a few centuries old, so the war has left no major marks. Lovers of the Calvados come into their own here. Further along the coast there are several seaside resorts with names all ending in -sur-Mer.

And then come the famous "Beaches" of D-Day: Omaha Beach, Juno Beach, Sword Beach to name but a few. History is still very present here: there are bunkers from WWII left here and there, as well as several museums to visit. Among all that war violence, there is "Grandcamp Maisy," a fishing village where you can enjoy the tastiest seafood.

We mostly stayed at small campsites with few facilities. Since the kids wanted to go to a nice pool anyway, we stayed several nights at one of the 4-star campsites near Bayeux. In this town, by the way, you can see the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a 70-meter-long embroidery.

Between the towns and villages there are many farms, and grassy landscapes. Yes, somewhere all those apples and milk for the Camembert greenhouses must come from.

We drove on to the border with Brittany - and there it was: Le Mont Saint Michel. Beautifully beautiful from all sides but unfortunately it is also a tourist fair. The medieval abbey and village are well worth a visit but busloads of tourists are also brought to see this wonder. Note that the tides can fluctuate up to 14 meters in this part of the Atlantic Ocean, so sometimes the sightseeing is not possible.

On the way to St Malo, you will pass Cancale. A small village with the most sought-after oysters. Even Napoleon had his beloved delicacy brought to Paris from this place. You won't get them this fresh and tasty anywhere in Europe!

Tip: the tastiest oysters in Europe can be found in Cancale

We drove on, around the entire peninsula. We enjoyed the beautiful nature, good food, but also a lot of wind. On the south side near Carnac, the fields with hundreds of menhirs and dolmen are definitely worth a visit. Obelix can indulge his passion here.

To conclude, we visited Vannes, a beautiful port and fortified town. And yes, who would have thought it: good food!