In 1st week of June next year, I will have finished a six day cooking class in Louviers. I will have three to four days on my own in that area before retrieving my spouse from CDG. I have already been to MSM, am not particularly interested in war stuff, love gardens (already plan on one afternoon to Monet gardens). I love poking around, getting away from true touristy places, enjoy learning and experiencing more French culture. Any suggestions appreciated. I will have a car and feel very comfortable driving by self in France.
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Visit the ruins of Richard the lion Heart%26#39;s castle in Les Andelys (Chateau Gaillard). Its a great view of the Seine River valley. There are also several other chateaus you can visit: Chateau de Bizy in Vernon, Chateau de Gisors in Gisors and Chateau de Boury.
Even if you don%26#39;t like %26quot;war stuff%26quot;, I recommend a visit to the American Cemetary if only to pay respect to those who gave their lives in France, although I suspect that will be a several hour drive from Louviers.
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Have you been to Bayeux (Battle of Hastings embroidery) and Honfleur (port, museums, an a wonderful old wooden church)? Since you love gardens, check out the villagesfleuries.com web site for the towns and villages who have won the annual competition for best floral displays--in June they should be marvelous. If you want more information on that, let me know; Normandy and Brittany, along with Alsace, have some of the best.
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Thank you to both posts! I am already plotting out the route to %26#39;Richard%26#39;s%26quot; Castle. I do so enjoy the beauty as well as the history of the Chateaux, will add these to my plotting as well. A trip to the American Cemetary sounds very worth the trip. I%26#39;m just not into the gorie details of battle, but to pay respect to our guys is high on my list! Catullus, a wooden church still standing!? I am truely hoping for some superb floral displays in June! My first trip to France this time of year. I%26#39;d love more info and will be checking out the web site. Thanks
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Take a wander to Dinan, Dinard and St. Malo and explore the Côte Éméraude if you feel like driving that far west..
Stop and visit the active Benedictine monastery of St. Wandrille. You can stroll the lovely grounds freely.
Check out the magnificent Romanesque ruins of the abbey of Jumiéges, not far from Château Gaillard, which I agree is worth seeing. The Auberge des Ruines at Jumièges is first rate, worth stopping at for lunch but not inexpensive. You%26#39;ll need a reservation.
Take a look at the Château du Champ de Bataille near Le Neubourg and its splendid gardens all recently opened after a massive renovation.
If you get into Rouen, Le Beffroy on rue du Beffroy is a really good place for traditional cuisine Normande in a lovely setting. Again you will need to book. There%26#39;s another good address in Rouen with a more modern menu, Le 37 on rue des Tonneliers.
If you need websites for any of these places, or any other info, give another holler.
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Since you%26#39;re going to visit Château Gaillard, consider staying in Le Petit Andelys at La Chaîne d%26#39;Or, an absolutely charming country inn with a fine restaurant. Some of the rooms in the small hotel, and the dining room, overlook the banks of the Seine. It%26#39;s a wonderful, calm place to stay, and the village is nice to wander in. Prices are quite moderate.
Not far from Les Andelys is a small town where Maurice Ravel lived for a while, Lyons-de-Forêt--it%26#39;s worth a visit to see the beautiful central garden and the attractive houses; there%26#39;s an old covered market as well. In the same area is the Abbaye de Fontaine Guérard.
Another town to put on your list is Pont-Audemer, which just oozes Norman charm. If you visit Jumièges Abbey, head to nearby Le Bec Hellouin for a working monastery with a beautiful, simple little church and extensive grounds.
The gardens of the abbey church of St-Martin-de-Boscherville, on the way to Rouen, are beautiful, with little artistic surprises to add to the enjoyment.
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Catullus -
I think the monastery near Le Bec Hellouin is the same place I referred to as St. Wandrille. If so, I completely agree about the little church/chapel.
I%26#39;ve never stayed at La Chaine d%26#39;Or, but I have eaten there a couple of times. It is lovely as is its location, and the dinners were very good but I thought a little pricey. Mind you we weren%26#39;t trying to economize on either occasion which undoubtedly had a negative impact on the bottom line...
Thanks for the St-M-deB recommendation, a new one to me. I%26#39;ll have to check it out next time I%26#39;m in the area, hopefully late spring/early summer next year.
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Since you will have finished a cooking course, you might want to go to Villedieu les Poêles. This is where the Mauviel cookware is made. I bought three pieces last week, and they are much, much cheaper there than in the states or UK. It is suppose to be %26quot;the best%26quot; cookware in the world. It is great, and beautiful if nothing else.
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I am looking for a cooking/language class (intermediate-advanced) in Normandy. Can you tell me about the class you took?
Thanks,
Kathy
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If you wish to visit the Monet garden it would be best to arrive very early and wait for them to open, and see the garden in the calm like we did. When the coaches start to arrive in the first hour the gardens are packed from then on.
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Is your cookery course the one run by the lady who wrote %26quot;On Rue Tatin%26quot;? I%26#39;d love to be able to do that. Other pretty towns/villages not too far from Honfleur are Pont L%26#39;Eveque, Beaumont en Auge, Beavron en Auge and St Pierre sur Dives.
The first week of June will be the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings and thus the beach areas will be extremely busy. If it holds no great interest to you I would avoid it.
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