France - Normandy - Land Of Castles And Manor Houses (17/151)

France - Normandy - Land Of Castles And Manor Houses (17/151)

Each of the many castles in Normandy has its own history. Famous, for example, is the lovely castle of St. Germain-de-Livet in the Pays d'Auge, which played a role in the life story of the painter Eugène Delacroix. Quite a contrast: the defiant fortress of Falaise, birthplace of William the Conqueror. The medieval walls have been restored in a modern style, this sparked fierce controversies not only among architects. Ever heard of castle camping? Here in Normandy one can camp in castle grounds - or stay in the guest rooms of venerable old manor houses. The journey begins in Pays d'Auge, the region's land of plenty. Then on to the Cote Fleurie, to the elegant bathing resort of Cabourg, where for many years the writer Marcel Proust spent his summers. More rugged than the Floral Coast are the cliffs in Cotentin in the far west. La Hague is synonym for the nuclear fuel reprocessing plant, but much more than that: the north-westernmost point of Normandy with a fascinating landscape and beautiful castles. An elegant example of Norman Gothic is the Cathedral of Coutances.