Welcome to Lower Normandy
Lower Normandy is one of the administrative parts into which Normandy is divided along with Upper Normandy and is the region bordering Brittany, the Pays de la Loire, the Central Region and Upper Normandy.
The region is today further divided into three departments: Calvados, Orne and Manche. The capital is Caen and the most important towns are Cherbourg, Saint-Lô and Alençon, but in the past it was divided into Roman towns.
A history lesson cannot be missing when talking about this department because one of the most important events of mankind took place here, as did a famous battle. After several clashes for the throne between the French and the English, Normandy officially became French at the end of the 15th century.
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What to see
The coast of Normandy has many places to visit. Among the most important are for example the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel, known all over the world, even if you haven't been there. An incredibly beautiful place if ever there was one.
Because of the history of this region, there are several places, monuments and resources dedicated to the war as such as well as its victims. This is the case of the Normandy’s American Cemetery. A place where silence, although overwhelming, produces a deep and peaceful sensation.
Another place remembered for the traces of the Second World War, in this case one of its most famous beaches, Omaha. Known as le bain de sang (the blood bath) because of the huge number of soldiers who died in battle, this beach is where the famous D-Day took place.
What to eat
There is an endless list of traditional dishes in Normandy, but one of the main savoury dishes you should try is the Andouillette d'Alençon. The funny thing about this filling, sausage-shaped pork dish is that there is no specific recipe about on how to elaborate it.
This region also has a good reputation for its seafood, in this case Honfleur prawns, whose traditional recipe has few ingredients and is easy to prepare because it has only seasoning, such as parsley or pepper, with no other main product.
And for dessert, there is another endless list of options to try, but one of the most famous are the Berlingots de Falaise, sweets made of sugar cooked in a tetrahedral shape. They are famous all over France and you will learn why if you try them!
Nature
This is a very coastal region, with the Cotentin peninsula and the beaches that were once the stage of the most famous landing, a symbol of the liberation of Europe from the clutches of Nazism. Unlike Upper-Normandy, this is a more rural region, more touristic and a little further away from Paris.
Normandy’s coastline is of great interest, from the Seine and the Pont de Normandie to the estuary of Mont Saint Michel. Nor should you forget corsair ports such as Honfleur and small towns or seaside resorts such as Trouville-sur-Mer, Cabourg or Ouistreham.
In general, the beaches of Normandy are well known for their history, and the Normandy coast is an emblem of the battle that was fought in these beaches, the Cotentin peninsula, the Grand Rade de Cherbourg and the Couesnon estuary.
Our festivities
The Foire au Boudin de Montagne au Perche, in Orne takes place in March and consists of a three-day cooking event, specialising in black pudding with several different cooking competitions of it being held.
The rencontres de Cambremer in Calvados every spring, which is a festival of the AOCs of Normandy, (also known as the Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée de Normandie), where many of the producers of cheese, cider, pommeau and calvados showcase their products at tastings.
And the Fête de la Crevette à Honfleur. As we have already seen, prawns are a culinary speciality in this area, so here the entertainment is varied in the form of sailors' songs, a peeling competition, and a gathering of old rigs.
