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Normandy and Brittany and Loire Valley in Northwest FranceNormandyNormandy in northwestern France is marked with bocage, fields enclosed by hedges and trees, and traditional half-timbered houses. The cities have interesting architecture: Caen, Romanesque abbeys; Rouen, medieval cathedral; and Bayeux, the 11th century Bayeux Tapestry. Also in Normandy are Giverny, garden and home of Claude Monet, island abbey of Mont Saint Michel, and ports of Le Havre and Cherbourg. Basse-Normandie (lower) and Haute-Normandie (upper) are divided by the Seine River which flows from Paris through Rouen to the English Channel near Le Havre. Normandy was invaded by the Vikings, or Norsemen, from Scandinavia in the 9th century. By 911 the French King Charles III the Simple was forced to agree to make this area theirs. In 1066 William the Conqueror invaded England, defeated them and was crowned King of England. During the Hundred Years' War, Normandy switched back and forth between England and France until control went permanently to France in 1450. During WWII the Allies landed on the beaches near Bayeux followed by the Battle of Normandy. Honfleur is opposite Le Havre at the mouth of the Seine. It has a long seafaring tradition first as a port for goods bound to conquered England and in the 17th century both Champlain (Quebec City) and la Salle (mouth of the Mississippi and the Louisiana territory named for Louis XIV) started their expeditions to North America from this port. Later it was involved in the trade the West Indies and Africa.
Pictures of Brittany (Bretagne)Pictures of Brittany show the picturesque beauty and charm that has drawn people here for thousands of years going back in time to the dolmans left by the first Neolithic settlers. Tiny fishing villages to large seaports on the northwestern coast of France. The area was first settled during the Neolithic period (4500 to 2000 BC) by people who farmed and herded. They left monuments whose meaning is still being debated: the menhirs (stones 1 to 20 meters high standing upright in the ground), dolmans (stone burial chambers), and tumuli (earth mounds) especially around Carnac. They were followed by the Celts who came around the 6th century BC. They drove chariots, were fierce in battle but respected art and nature. Julius Caesar conquered the region in 56 BC. This was followed by a second wave of Celts in the 5th century AD. Throughout the middle ages France and England both fought for control until Brittany finally became part of France in 1532. See also Stonehenge
Brittany is home of the Bretons, descendants of the Celts, and many still speak the ancient Celtic language. Traditional costume for women includes embroidered tops, floor length full skirts, and coiffe, a hat made of lace (Bretons are famous for lace making); for men, bragon bas (baggy pants), embroidered vests, sabots (wide brimmed hat) and clogs. The best place to see traditional Breton architecture and traditions is in Quimper, which is also the center of Breton faïencerie (stoneware) which is hand-painted as it was 300 years ago. Cornouaille Festival in late July is a perfect time to visit. For King Arthur legend fans--Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon, was king of Brittany and his mother, Ygerne was the duchess of Cornouaille. Food specialties include seafood such as coquilles St-Jacques (scallops) and crêpes (thin pancake) with cider. La RochelleLa Rochelle, one of France's most protected harbors, was the site of battles between France and England (Hundred Years' War), and a prolonged siege during the wars of religion in the 17th century (Cardinal Richelieu) during which all but 5,000 of the 28,000 inhabitants starved to death. It is now a tourist destination for those interested in white sandy beaches, medieval architecture and nice weather. For more beaches cross the short bridge to Île de Ré. Be sure you try mouclade, the local mussel stew.
Chateaux of the Loire Valley (Val de Loire)The Loire is France's longest river. The area has played a critical role in the history of France. The chateaux here were originally defensive, first against the Viking invaders in the 9th century, then the English in the Hundred Years' War which ended with Joan of Arc at Chinon in 1429 persuading the Dauphin (soon to be Charles VII) to give her an army to liberate Orléans. By the 16th century warfare had changed and the fortresses were turned into comfortable palaces. When Louis XIV moved his court to the Palace of Versailles the chateaux of the Loire Valley saw a wealth of art and design not seen before or since. The Loire Valley is rich not only in architecture and the decorative arts, but justly famous gardens and gourmet delights including wine, cheese, mushrooms, strawberries and asparagus, and splashed with the brilliant color of sunflowers.
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Copyright © 2009 Last Modified: January 28, 2010
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