Normandy | A French Collection

Honfleur Museums

Honfleur Museums - Enter the artistic world of Honfleur

Honfleur is a stunning town centred around the Vieux-Bassin (old bassin) whose water is fed from its port at the mouth of the Seine Estuary. Famous for its timber-framed townhouses that reflect in the water when bathed in the glow of the morning sun, the town is very popular.

Honfleur has a rich maritime heritage that goes back to Roman times and offers loads of attractions to visitors. It's very easy to spend a day in Honfleur leisurely walking, browsing the craft shops and art galleries and relaxing in the harbour cafés. There's even the largest surviving wooden church in France, Église Sainte-Catherine, just a very short stroll from the Vieux-Bassin and main hub of restaurants and boutiques.

Monet’s Garden, Giverny – 28 Stunning Photos

After its long winter closure, Claude Monet's garden and home re-open each April for the French warmer months. Gardens have been planted and trimmed, paths primed, prepped and everything made ready for the expectant admiring crowds. The gardens and home complex are open from April to November each year and are operated by Foundation Claude Monet.

Monet's Garden, Giverny - 28 Stunning Photos

To celebrate the re-opening of the garden I've created this photo gallery post from photos taken during my visits over the years. Photos are divided into the two gardens, the top garden surrounding the house - The Clos Normand Garden and the lower garden, The Water Garden.

A Guide to Mont-Saint Michel Abbey

What do you think of when someone mentions the region of Normandy? Do you imagine the world famous Mont-Saint Michel with its high rock dwellings, fluctuating tides and peaceful grazing sheep. And why not, it's a stunning site that draws many people to Normandy.

The people of the Middle Ages believed that Mont-Saint Michel was a representation of the heavenly Jerusalem on earth, an image of Paradise. I think many of us would agree that photos of the sun setting on the Mount or grazing sheep upon the marshes still looks a bit like Paradise!

Deauville – The 21st Arrondissement of Paris

Place de Morny, Deauville, France

Deauville, France - The 21st Arrondissement of Paris

Deauville in Normandy, France is described as Paris’ 21^st arrondissement and is known as the playground of the rich and famous. Being an easy 200 kms from Paris, it’s long been the luxury holiday destination of Parisians. Deauville’s luxurious allure started soon after Napoleon III’s half-brother, the Duke of Morny, founded it in 1861. The Duke of Morny, an influential financier, created Deauville from swamp and sandy land with the help of his physician, his banker and architect.

Reminders of the Duke of Morny everywhere

There are reminders everywhere of the Duke that created Deauville with places and shops named after him. La Place de Morny has been built as a copy of Paris’ Place de l’Etoile with eight roads converging onto the central garden and fountains. The town hall or Mairie of Deauville is located at Place de Morny.

The Best & Most Picturesque Golf Courses in Normandy, France

Golf Courses Normandy France - Etretat golf course

If you’re looking for a golfing holiday in Europe, then Normandy is the place to go. It's the heart of some of the best golf courses in France. With generally cheaper green fees (compared to the UK), golfing in France can make for an affordable holiday or short break. Take the morning ferry from the UK, and you could be on the 1st tee by early afternoon.

The rich history and wonderful cuisine of Normandy is another reason to visit this stunning area. Famous for their cheeses, seafood, and cider this region of France has much to offer.

We’ve chosen 5 golf courses that offer golfers of different levels the opportunity to enjoy playing in the Normandy region of France.

Honfleur – The 8 Best Things to See & Do

Honfleur is a picturesque town in Normandy in the northwestern region of France at the mouth of the Seine Estuary and it's a popular place to visit with many things to see and do. I've put together the best things to see and experience in Honfleur after my own visits to this wonderful French town. Here are the best things to see in Honfleur.

The 8 Best Things to See and Do in Honfleur, Normandy

With its pretty harbour and timber framed townhouses around the Vieux-Bassin (old port), some up to seven stories high, ancient churches and religious buildings, Honfleur has long been a favourite with artists and photographers and it's easy to see why it is still so popular today.

Best Small Group Tours of Brittany

"There aren’t many guided tours of Brittany, so when one comes along that’s absolutely brilliantly put together, run by a most charming host and takes in the very best of Brittany and just over the border Normandy – we’re excited!"

Best Small Group Tour of Brittany

That's what Janine Marsh of The Good Life France had to say about my Brittany Tours, calling them the best guided tour of Brittany, and I agree that Brittany is best explored in small groups where you are guided to the most charming towns, picture perfect beaches and best natural wonders along the French northwest coast. [Photo above is of Tregestal, Brittany where we take a coastal walk among the boulders]

Claude Monet’s Hometown Giverny – What to See & Do

Claude Monet's Hometown - What to See and Do

Giverny in the northwest region of Normandy is well known as the hometown of Impressionist artist Claude Monet (1840 - 1926) but the picturesque village has more to explore than just Claude Monet's House and Garden complex. Read more as I discover what to see and do in Giverny.

Monet In Giverny

Monet's attachment to the village of Giverny started after signing a rental agreement for his pink maison (home) on 3 May 1883, and then after buying the house, moving in with Alice in 1890. They lived in this house and village with the two children from Monet and Camille's marriage and the six children from Alice and Ernest's marriage for the rest of their lives as a blended family.

The village was originally divided by a railway line that went along what is now called Chemin du Roy. Chemin du Roy divides Monet's two gardens and is now a narrow laneway for cars. Giverny encompasses Monet's garden and home but also has many other attractions to offer for the visitor.