| Lower Normandy is located on the North Coast of | | | | Getting there |
| France. To the North is the English Channel and on | | | | By road: |
| the East Upper Normandy. To the South, Lower | | | | From Calais ferry port / Eurostar driving times are |
| Normandy borders Brittany, Western Loire and | | | | about 5 hours. You can travel by Autoroute (tolls) all |
| Centre regions. A predominantly rural area favoured | | | | the way. |
| by British buyers. There are 3 departments: Orne, | | | | By Ferry: |
| Manche and Calvados. | | | | Caen and Cherbourg ports are located in Lower |
| Lower Normandy Landscape | | | | Normandy so you can arrive in the heart of Lower |
| With about 600 kilometres of coastline there is a | | | | Normandy from the UK. St Malo, Dieppe and Le |
| wonderful mixture of cliffs, pebbly coves and long | | | | Havre are also close by. |
| stretches of golden sands – this has always | | | | By Plane: |
| been a popular destination for holidaymakers. The | | | | Dinard (Brittany) – flights arrive form East |
| Cherbourg peninsula is renowned for family holidays | | | | Midlands, Stansted and Luton. You can also fly to |
| – the most top destinations being Deauville, | | | | Paris and get to Lower Normandy in 3 hours. |
| Trouville, and Cabourg. The Gulf Stream warms the | | | | Population |
| sea here! | | | | Just under 1.5 million inhabitants |
| Inland the sparsely populated rural area is home to | | | | Major Towns |
| apple orchards (Calvados) and other fruits. There are | | | | Caen |
| many sleepy market towns to wander around and | | | | Caen is famous for its historical buildings built in the |
| enjoy the local foods – including fresh bread, | | | | time of William the Conqueror, who was buried here, |
| cheeses, fruits and a glass or two of calvados! | | | | and for the Battle for Caen – fighting that |
| Lower Normandy Attractions | | | | took place around Caen during the Battle of |
| Apart from the many and varied beaches around the | | | | Normandy. |
| coastline, there are plenty of activities to enjoy. The | | | | Cherbourg |
| D-Day landings in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 | | | | Cherbourg is a commercial and military port, but none |
| were the focus of the largest and most complex | | | | the less one of the most popular ports in France. |
| invasion ever attempted. There are many D-Day | | | | Deauville |
| sites to be visited including: | | | | Deauville is a glamorous seaside resort, symbolising |
| Memorial at Caen | | | | elegance, prestige and sophistication. Nearby the Polo |
| Remnants of "Port Winston" – an artificial | | | | and Horse Racing re-enforces its tradition. |
| harbour built in England and floated to the bay at | | | | Alencon |
| Arromanches. | | | | Alencon is synonymous with lace and once was the |
| Longues-sur-Mer – fortified German gun | | | | lace capital of Europe. The industry has long since |
| emplacements. | | | | departed and Alencon is now the centre of |
| Bayeux Tapestry – is a 50 cm by 70 m (20 in | | | | manufacture for Moulinex! North of Alencon is Sees |
| by 230 ft) long embroidered cloth which depicts | | | | with its gothic cathedral |
| scenes commemorating the Battle of Hastings in | | | | Saint Lo |
| 1066, with annotations in Latin. The tapestry | | | | Saint-Lo is perched on a rocky outcrop in the heart |
| presently exhibited in a museum in Bayeux. | | | | of the Cotentin peninsular. The town is surrounded |
| Other lovely coastal attractions are Honfleur and | | | | by ramparts and overlooked by the Notre Dame |
| Deauville. In particular, Honfleur is a popular | | | | cathedral. |
| destination. A quaint fishing port with a thriving "artist" | | | | Prices |
| element and lovely small shops. The restaurants are | | | | (August 2006) |
| well frequented too! | | | | Coastal properties are more expensive. Inland village, |
| Mont-Saint-Michel | | | | town and rural properties are much cheaper. |
| This is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage | | | | Unfortunately the days of bargain barns for |
| Area, the wide bay of Mont- Saint-Michel, abutting | | | | renovation are long gone. There is still a strong |
| Brittany and Lower Normandy, claims the strongest | | | | demand for properties at the cheaper end of the |
| tides in Europe. This "Wonder of the Western World" | | | | market. |
| towers above the vast mud-flats that surround it. | | | | Price Guideline |
| Do not miss : Visit to the abbey. | | | | Apartments: 60,000 euros (Coast) |
| Weather/Climate | | | | Farmhouses: 30,000 euros (needs renovation) |
| Weather is similar to the South of England with | | | | Townhouses: 30,000 euros |
| distinct seasons. Perhaps slightly warmer and sunnier | | | | Coastal Houses: 100,000 + euros |
| in the Summer! The countryside is green so it does | | | | Land: from 6 euros per sq. |
| rain. | | | | |