Days out in our region.
La Maison Loufran surrounded by the lush greenery of Normandy 60 miles south of Cherbourg easy access Mont-St Michel and D-day beaches.
The town of Hambye is 5kms from La Maison Loufran, with two bars two boulangeries, a butchers, chemist and two hairdressers. Tuesday and Friday sees market day… definitely more hustle and bustle with stalls abundant with fresh fruit and veg , clothes and shoes and a fishmonger.
Nearby is Hambye Abbey founded in the 12th century by an order of Benedictine monks, the abbey is set in a peaceful valley surrounded by hills and woodland. Today the majestic ruins of the abbey church and the monastic buildings have been patiently restored to give visitors an insight into medieval monastic life .Throughout the summer, exhibitions and various workshops take place, as well as programmed concerts of medieval and sacred music in the evenings.
Mont-St-Michel.
Rising from a hazy expanse of sand and waves, Mont Saint Michel appears like Man’s defiance of the elements and of time. A rock lost in a landscape smoothed by the wind.
Suspended high on the rock, the abbey calls you to discover the wild ambition of its builders and of those who, since 708, had wanted to make this isolated spot a meeting place for all people.
From the top, everything looks surprising: the prodigies of medieval architecture, the strength of nature, the light...
No one can remain unmoved by the message of this place.
As a UNESCO world heritage site, the abbey of Mont Saint Michel is a monument for everyone.
The picturesque spa resort of Granville 20kms to the west of Loufran is known for being the home of the late Christian Dior, and for those with an interest in fashion his house now a museum is definitely worth a visit. The bustling town centre has a variety of shops, boutiques, cafes, bars and restaurants, catering for all age groups. Granville's lively port area has a marina and many good fish restaurants to choose from. As well as being an important fishing port there is also a ferry service to the Channel Islands a regional water sport centre and golf courses. The wide shallow bays with white sandy beaches either side of the town is ideal for a relaxing day.
Coutances is 18kms north of Loufran and here the Cathedral of Notre-Dame reconstructed during the 13 th century is well worth a visit. The city is also known for its art, history and international Jazz Festivals and the public gardens are amongst the oldest in Normandy with a collection of rare trees, superb flower beds they make a perfect place for a peaceful stroll.
Villedieu-les-Poeles 18 kms. to the south of Loufran is traditionally known for its old crafts of lace making, copper and tin beating The nearby zoological park set in 18 acres contains more than 50 species of animals.
With so many historical links with Britain from William The Conqueror to the D-Day landing beaches and the war cemeteries Normandy 's old towns and Cathedrals are well worth a visit during your stay.
Spectacular coastlines, empty golden sand beaches.
A unique masterpiece in the world, the Bayeux Tapestry is actually an embroidery made from wool on linen canvas during the 11th century. 70m long and 50cm high, it recounts, simply but with a wealth of detail, how and why Willliam the Conqueror conquered England on 14 October 1066. Unaccompanied visit to the exhibition and audiovisual rooms and Tapestry visit with earphone (11 languages simultaneously).
http://www.bayeux-tourism.com/eng/decouvrir/decouvrir.html
The Quiet Life in Normandy...
Walking The well-established Randonnée Network of trails covers some of the most spectacular scenery in Normandy with its numbered “GR” routes. While at the other end of the scale, local tourist offices will be able to suggest interesting circuits around their particular town or village.
Contact : Fédération française de randonnée pédestre: tel. 0033 144 899 393
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Activites & Sport in the region.
There are activities in our area for both young and old. Horse riding, golf, tennis and many water sports. For the less active amongst us there are leisurely walks to enjoy and take in the surrounding countryside.
Horse-riding The horse is king in Normandy. Whether you fancy a guided trek across the sand on the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel, witnessing the weekly parades at the Haras du pin national Stud or enjoying an evening at the trotting races in Cabourg, you'll not go far before you notice Normandy's love of horses. Contact : Comité national de tourisme équestre: tel. 0033 153 261 550
Adventurously Energetic
Bungy Jumping Contact :Viaduc de la Souleuvre : tel. 0033 231 663 166
Gliding Contact :
Glinding center of Lessay : tel. 0033 233 464 422/ 0033 233 048 33
Glinding School of Vauville: tel. 0033 233 527 772
Hot-air Ballooning
Association « les Vents d'Ouest » (Manche) : tel. at Les Veys 0033 233 424 908
Montgolfières Clubs de l'Orne (Orne) : tel. at Moulins-sur-Orne 0033 608 728 841
Orne Montgolfière : tel. at La Ferté Macé 0033 233 373 308
Parachuting
The Para-club de la Manche: tel. at Orglandes
0033 233 410 741
Centre école régionale de parachutisme de Normandie Granville Baie du Mont Saint Michel
tel. 0033 (0)685712495 www.normandieparachutisme.fr
Abeille-parachutisme (Calvados) : tel. 0033 231 897 766. www.abeille-parachutisme.com
Paragliding and Handgliding
Association Cotentin Vol Libre : (Vauville, Ecalgrain, Omonville, Diélette, Landemer, Le Rozel and Carteret) te. at Vauville 0033 608 686 917
Plaine Altitude (Calvados) : tel. at Pont d'Ouilly 0033 231 693 931
Normandy has almost 40 courses, which are as varied as the landscapes they occupy.
http://www.golfinfrance.f9.co.uk/normandy.htm
Relaxingly Energetic
Angling
There are miles of first category waters where trout are particularly dominant while the many lakes (formerly gravel pits) are home to some very large carps. Licences are required, especially for first category rivers but assistance is always at hand at the local tackle shop or bar.
Contact : Fédérations départementales des associations agréées de pêche et de protection des milieux aquatiques :
Manche: tel. 0033 233 469 650/ 0033 233 469 662
Calvados: tel. 0033 231 446 300/ 0033 231 448 163
Orne: tel. 0033 233 261 066
Seine-Maritime: tel. 0033 235 620 155/ 0033 235 627 119
Eure : tel. 0033 232 571 073/ 0033 232 577 110
Go-Karting in Normandy
F. Kart at Airel (Manche): tel. 0033 233 554 545
ASK Circuit de la Hague at Gréville-Hague: tel. 0033 233 084 54
Evasion Kart 50 at Lessay: tel. 0033 233 476 92
Karting de Montmartin: tel. 0033 233 565 883
Circuit du Parc Espace de Loisirs at Sainte Pience: tel. 0033 233 585 03
DLS Cabourg (Calvados): tel. 0033 231 242 44
Caen-Démouville Karting: tel. 0033 231 722 000
Karting indoor at Mondeville: tel. 0033 231 687 077
Cycling Follow the pre-planned routes or take to the back roads; there is very little traffic to bother you.
Contact : Fédération française de cyclotourisme: tel. 0033 156 208 888 |
