Welcome to the page for advice on where to visit in Basse-Normandie and beyond
A very good friend of mine is always telling me that I have lots of knowledge on the area in France where we live, and suggested that I ought to do a blog on the subject. For what it is worth, I thought I would blog about the places that I know well and give you some ideas for days out, visits, eating out etc.
I live in Basse-Normandie, though these days the whole of the Normandie region is just referred to as Normandie! I've lived here for three years but have owned my house since 2000, and have spent many hours traversing the area with various visitors in tow.
People from the UK often say to me that 'Normandy' isn't really France and that it cannot possibly give a real experience. I am not sure why they say this - because of course it is France! The French seem to think so and indeed, in this area many, many houses are 'maison secondaires' for Parisiens and you don't get more French than someone from the capital city.
I love France and chose to live in this region because of the climate and the close proximity to the coast - I wouldn't want to live inland. The climate is often in daily conversation here. Winters are wet and generally mild (last year was the worst I can remember), Spring comes early and usually summers are fairly warm/hot and dry. This year we have had 7 weeks without rain in June and July, though August has been somewhat changeable. Autumn is a lovely period in the countryside and the weather is usually mild.
We live to the west of St Lo on the Cherbourg peninsula in a national park - the marais - basically 'wetlands'. This is an ideal location for visiting the West coast looking across to the Channel Islands. On this coast you will find long, long sandy beaches that are bathed in afternoon sunshine and have the most glorious sunsets over the sea. North is the craggy coastline around Cherbourg with lots of little harbours and lighthouses (phares) and then the East coast is a mix of craggy and long beaches culminating in Utah beach (D-Day). From there the beaches face North and continue with the huge sandy stretch that is Omaha to Sword & Gold etc.
So, where to look at on this first blog?
I am going to start with the place that I probably spend the most time, CARENTAN. This local town is about 15 minutes drive from my house - I do my shopping here (Carrefour, LeClerc, Intermarche, Lidl), I walk the dog here around the harbour, I eat lunch/dinner in the restaurants and am generally drawn to this quiet, unassuming town with a beautiful inland port and lots of independent shops and restaurants.
Here is an aerial view of the port:
You can walk all the way around the port/canal as there is a bridge at the top end (out of view here) - a popular circuit with walkers, runners and cyclists.
There are many restaurants in Carentan with a variety of price ranges - good value everyday French cuisine can be found at the following:
Le Contoir des Marais - right on the port - see photos below, open most days and usually weekends in the off peak and all day in the summer (apart from usual closures for August holidays). www.restaurant-carentan-lecontoir.fr We eat here a lot - the menu is not huge, but we have never had a bad meal, staff are friendly, it is busy and vibrant at weekends and the cafe gourmande is superb!
La Renaissance (near to the railway station/gare) is open at lunchtimes and does a fixed 3 course menu for about 12,50 euros. Nothing fancy, just decent food at a good price.
Pizzeria des Arcades can be found in the centre - moderate pricing and good food in a clean, modern restaurant. https://www.facebook.com/les.Arcades.Carentan/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral
La Napolitan is open all year and is a great place for pizzas -they do have a varied menu too. Lovely, modern and clean. We often eat here too. On the port with a great view of the boats. http://www.lenapolitain-carentan.fr/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral
Auberge Normande on the edge of town near to the railway station - always gorgeous food here - a bit more expensive and so we save for special occasions. https://www.aubergenormande.com/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral
There are lots of other restaurants in the area and a few small bars in the town,
Carentan has chambre d'hotes, hotels and a big campsite with an aire for motor homes (camping cars).
There is a big swimming pool by the port, spotlessly clean with several pools and good for all ages.
I live in Basse-Normandie, though these days the whole of the Normandie region is just referred to as Normandie! I've lived here for three years but have owned my house since 2000, and have spent many hours traversing the area with various visitors in tow.
People from the UK often say to me that 'Normandy' isn't really France and that it cannot possibly give a real experience. I am not sure why they say this - because of course it is France! The French seem to think so and indeed, in this area many, many houses are 'maison secondaires' for Parisiens and you don't get more French than someone from the capital city.
I love France and chose to live in this region because of the climate and the close proximity to the coast - I wouldn't want to live inland. The climate is often in daily conversation here. Winters are wet and generally mild (last year was the worst I can remember), Spring comes early and usually summers are fairly warm/hot and dry. This year we have had 7 weeks without rain in June and July, though August has been somewhat changeable. Autumn is a lovely period in the countryside and the weather is usually mild.
We live to the west of St Lo on the Cherbourg peninsula in a national park - the marais - basically 'wetlands'. This is an ideal location for visiting the West coast looking across to the Channel Islands. On this coast you will find long, long sandy beaches that are bathed in afternoon sunshine and have the most glorious sunsets over the sea. North is the craggy coastline around Cherbourg with lots of little harbours and lighthouses (phares) and then the East coast is a mix of craggy and long beaches culminating in Utah beach (D-Day). From there the beaches face North and continue with the huge sandy stretch that is Omaha to Sword & Gold etc.
So, where to look at on this first blog?
I am going to start with the place that I probably spend the most time, CARENTAN. This local town is about 15 minutes drive from my house - I do my shopping here (Carrefour, LeClerc, Intermarche, Lidl), I walk the dog here around the harbour, I eat lunch/dinner in the restaurants and am generally drawn to this quiet, unassuming town with a beautiful inland port and lots of independent shops and restaurants.
Here is an aerial view of the port:
You can walk all the way around the port/canal as there is a bridge at the top end (out of view here) - a popular circuit with walkers, runners and cyclists.
There are many restaurants in Carentan with a variety of price ranges - good value everyday French cuisine can be found at the following:
Le Contoir des Marais - right on the port - see photos below, open most days and usually weekends in the off peak and all day in the summer (apart from usual closures for August holidays). www.restaurant-carentan-lecontoir.fr We eat here a lot - the menu is not huge, but we have never had a bad meal, staff are friendly, it is busy and vibrant at weekends and the cafe gourmande is superb!
La Renaissance (near to the railway station/gare) is open at lunchtimes and does a fixed 3 course menu for about 12,50 euros. Nothing fancy, just decent food at a good price.
Pizzeria des Arcades can be found in the centre - moderate pricing and good food in a clean, modern restaurant. https://www.facebook.com/les.Arcades.Carentan/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral
La Napolitan is open all year and is a great place for pizzas -they do have a varied menu too. Lovely, modern and clean. We often eat here too. On the port with a great view of the boats. http://www.lenapolitain-carentan.fr/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral
Auberge Normande on the edge of town near to the railway station - always gorgeous food here - a bit more expensive and so we save for special occasions. https://www.aubergenormande.com/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral
There are lots of other restaurants in the area and a few small bars in the town,
Carentan has chambre d'hotes, hotels and a big campsite with an aire for motor homes (camping cars).
There is a big swimming pool by the port, spotlessly clean with several pools and good for all ages.
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