Normandy countryside and Honfleur

Well first we will get on the N13 highway and pass by the town of Caen then take the exit to go to BEUVRON-en-AUGE, a very picturesque small village. You’d think you were walking on a movie-set. We will walk around the town-square surrounded by half-timbered houses in pure old Norman style (what you call Tudor-style): a mix of slate and bricks, some of these houses like the big manor-house there date back as far as the 16th c. A chance for quality shopping in the small shops (antique, linen etc…) and artist galleries …

Then we drive through beautiful lush green countryside with countless stud farms for thorough-bred horses and cider/Calvados (apple brandy) making small distilleries. Through another picturesque small town called Pont-Lévêque (also name of one of Normandy famous cheese) up to HONFLEUR.

This is a small seaport as well as a river-port,located on the estuary of the Seine river. In 1944, it suffered no destruction, as the main target was the big commercial port of
LE HAVRE on the other side of the estuary now connected to Honfleur by the long suspended Normandy bridge.

In the 17th c. many famous navigators left from there to the new world like Samuel of Champlain who founded Quebec in 1608.
It was a favorite spot of artists, impressionist painters like Boudin, native of Honfleur and friend of Monet. In the center of town the old Bassin (boat marina) surrounded by tall narrow houses covered in slate. I will take you on a short walking tour of the town center to show you the highlightsthen let you have some shopping time before we go for a delicious lunch in one of my favorite restaurants (seafood is recommended there)

After lunch, we take the scenic drive along the coast with a stop in a small family-owned Calvados distillery where you can have some sample of the Normandy “nectar”.
Beautiful scenery takes us first to TROUVILLE and on the other side of the Touques river is DEAUVILLE, home of the American film festival and where many famous people have a second residence (not too far from Paris, easy to get to!) Famous horse-races take place in the two race tracks as well as yearling’s auctions. Both towns have gambling casinos and we will drive by many big houses built at the turn of the century.
Hotel Normandie deauvilleDeauville seafront

One cannot leave Deauville without walking on the famous boardwalk with art deco cabanas named after mostly American movie-stars and see the twisted umbrellas, symbol of the town.

Back on the N13 to get back to Bayeux around 5.30 pm
(depending on traffic around Caen)