Normandy is situated in the north-west of France, just 70 km from Paris. The region’s location gives three completely distinct coasts, from the ancient bay of Mont St Michel, up through the rugged coastlines of La Manche, across picturesque Calvados and all the way to the fishing village of Le Tréport in Seine-Maritime

5 reasons to visit Normandy :

- Its artistic heritage as the birthplace of Impressionism:
Inspired by Normandy’s beauty, mystery and light, Impressionist painters set up their easels along the coast, the banks of the Seine, in Rouen’s old town and Monet’s private gardens. As Normandy prepares for the first ever Impressionism festival in 2010, admire original works and the timeless landscapes that inspired them.

- Its pivotal role in the Second World War:
Nowhere is the memory of the Second World War more intense than along Normandy’s northern coastline. From Sainte-Mère-Eglise in La Manche to the beaches of Dieppe in Seine-Maritime, the coastline is dotted with memorials, cemeteries and museums where visitors discover this powerful history at first hand.

- Its rich regional gastronomy:
Normandy is truly a food lover’s paradise. For a taste of the sea, try a freshly-caught herring or delicate scallops. Meat lovers will relish succulent salt-marsh lamb or traditional black pudding. As for Normandy’s world-famous cheeses – Camembert, Livarot, Neufchâtel and Pont l’Évêque – enjoy them washed down with a local cider or Calvados.

- Its diverse landscapes and regional parks:
With 600km of varied coastline, verdant valleys, lush pastures and leafy forests, Normandy is ideal for outdoor adventures. Normandy’s four regional nature parks provide the perfect backdrop for exploring the coasts and countryside by bike, on horseback, by boat or on foot.

- Its strong medieval, religious and cultural heritage:
From the old market square where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in Rouen, to Richard the Lionheart’s impressive stronghold overlooking the River Seine, to the chateaux and abbeys belonging to William the Conqueror, Normandy’s history and landscape will be forever marked by the memory of many important historical figures.