Normandy in the footsteps of the Vikings and explorers
Description:
When you go to Normandy, you can see a kind of monument - a stella, called "in the footsteps of the Vikings." It is in the footsteps of this militant people that the excursion to Normandy begins.
Rouen is the capital of Normandy. A city that breathes history despite being badly destroyed during World War II, it always remains a majestically proud Viking who has survived and preserved its traditions. Here, in the Cathedral of Rouen, you can see the tombstone of the very first of the Vikings who settled here - Rollon, from which the heirs of this land - the land of the northern people of the "Normans" went. This cathedral is both harsh and magnificent, it was it that Claude Monet wrote at different moments of the day. In Rouen, on the Old Market Square, there is still the illusion of smelling the ashes of centuries, scattered from the fire on which Joan of Arc was burned at the age of 19. But even this sad note is not stressful, because walking through the streets of old Rouen, you will feel with me, your guide, the charm of this city. Then the excursion to Normandy will continue closer to the sea, on the coast of the mysterious Alabaster Rocks.
Fekam Township It is a small, but very cute fishing port, which nevertheless keeps a very ancient legend about the blood of Christ, supposedly sailed here in an ampulch sealed in the trunk of a fig tree. Nevertheless, the biggest attraction here is the Benedictine Palace of Alexander Le Gran, who created a unique drink based on the ancient recipe of the Benedictine monk and developed the trademark “Balsam Benedictine”, known throughout the world. The collection of works of art by Alexander Le Grand is not inferior to the venerable museum. On the way – a small example of how the French love and know how to make history: stop by to see a hundred-year-old oak tree, in which a local priest made 2 tiny chapels.
The town of Etretta. The title of which the famous writer Maurice LeBlanc translated as: And here are all the treasures of the state. Are they here? We can try to understand if you bravely climb with me to the cliffs of this miniature bay. And then we will go to solve the mystery of “The Hollow Needle”, which was described in the novel of the same name by Maurice LeBlanc. His famous character, the thief and gentleman Arsène Lupin, will lead us along a complicated path of secrets to his home. Of course, you need to try seafood, mussels, oysters, sea nuts in a restaurant at the foot of the Gypsum Rocks, or you can walk through the rock to see closer the Hollow Needle and understand why Henry IV often exclaimed: “I swear by the needle”!
City of Marine painters - Honfleur The excursion to Normandy will continue in this picturesque town, a former naval military fortress, the city of the discoverers of Canada and the founders of the Canadian Quebec, the city of marine painters and impressionists. Going to the local museum of ethnography, you will feel suddenly in a completely different time. This museum presents the interiors of Norman housing of the XVIII - XIX centuries. The Church of St. Catherine - French "Kizhi". In Honfleur, we will walk along the lovely picturesque streets of this city, replete with art galleries and including Russian artists who settled here, and then, sitting on the shore of the medieval port and admiring ancient lifeboats like St. Bernadette and modern luxury yachts, in cozy cafes and restaurants you can taste the best cider and seafood of Normandy. In very exotic local food stores, you will be offered everything from local farmers: from wild boar stew, to the most exquisite and old Calvados, called here: "Calvados without age."
“You can’t forbid a beautiful life” – this applies to the city of Deauville. The city is a resort, a city of luxury villas and an example of a city of luxurious lifestyle of the bourgeoisie of the late XIX - early XX century, built by the brother of Napoleon III - Duke of Morny, whose villa was called "Sergeevna". It is a fabulous city of beauty in French, having a special style of architecture, a city of festivals of American and Asian films, a city of entertainment, horse racing, casinos, fashion boutiques from couture. Deauville is also the wind that permeates the waterfront, where villas compete as luxury ladies for their beauty and where the glory of Coco Chanel began. We can visit one of these - Villa Strasburger, go to the local casino, try to win a million dollars.