NORMANDY
Les Pommiers is located in the village of Amfreville, commune of Picauville, in the heart of the Cotentin, the western peninsula of Normandy, close to the invasion beaches. The region is known for its white sandy beaches, azure sea, beautiful dunes and rocky outcrops.
There is much to see, discover and experience in this beautiful region of Normandy. Whether you come for a sporting holiday, enjoy markets, flea markets, art, culture and culinary experiences, or if you are interested in the history of Norman (Viking) colonisation, the Hundred Years’ War between England or France or the 1944 D-Day invasion when the Allies landed on the Normandy beaches to liberate Europe from the Nazis, this region has a great lot to offer.
D-DAY
Les Pommiers is located right in the middle of the hotspot with Sainte Mère-Eglise a 5-minute drive away and Utah Beach a 15-minute drive away. There is so much to see in terms of D-Day. Some places around the theme of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy can be found below.
- Airborne Museum in Sainte Mère-Église
- Overlord Museum – Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer
- Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer
- Pointe du Hoc in Saint-Pierre-du-Mont
- Utah-Beach Musée du Debarquement in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
- Normandy Victory Museum in Carentan-les-Marais
- German Militairy Cemetery in la Cambe
- Arromanches 360º Circular Cinema in Arromanches-les-Bains
- D-Day Museum Arromanches in Arromanches-les-Bains
- Longues-sur-Mer Battery
- D-Day Experience in Carentan-les-Marais
- Azeville Battery
- Battery of Crisbecq in Marcouf
ACTIVITIES
The Cotentin is so worth exploring. There are wonderful walking and cycling routes. You can go horse riding, sailing, surfing, swimming, golfing and so on. Everyone can enjoy the beauty and variety of the landscapes at their own rhythm.
CULINARY EXPERIENCES
The Cotentin is known for its delicious local specialities such as Coquilles Saint-Jacques and oysters. The oysters from the Cotentin are famous for their unique flavour and texture. Also coming from Normandy are the calvados, cider and delicious cheeses like camembert, livarot, neufchâtel and pont-l’evêque. So if you like good food, Normandy is a treat.
MARKETS & FLEA MARKETS
Do you love wandering around French markets or “brocantes”, where you can find local products or antiques? There are many markets to be found. One of the most popular is the market at Place de Gaulle in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. This market is held every Thursday and offers a wide range of local products.
ART & CULTURE
There is also much to experience in terms of art and culture in the Cotentin. The peninsula is the cradle of Impressionism and you can still find traces of this art movement. In the unspoilt nature of the Cotentin, artists such as Millet, Boudin, Renoir and Signac found inspiration for their works.
If you are interested in art, a visit to the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Caen is highly recommended. Works by Monet, Courbet and Bonnard can be admired here. At the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire Baron Gérard in Bayeux, you can enjoy works by Boudin and Caillebotte.
VILLAGES & TOWNS
This region exists not only for its landing beaches, D-Day sights and cities like Caen or Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, but also for the many charming villages where you will step back in time for a moment and which are definitely worth a visit. Here are some of the most popular:
- Barfleur: located on the east coast of the Cotentin, this picturesque fishing village is known for its charming harbour and medieval architecture. An ideal place to enjoy fresh fish a seafood.
- Saint-Vaast-la-Houge: situated nearby on the west coast of the Cotentin, this village is best known for its oyster farms. With its historic port and two Vauban towers, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it is well worth a visit.
- Barneville-Carteret: this village is located on the west coast of the Cotentin and is best known for its beautiful beaches; ideal for enjoying the sun and the sea. It also has a beautiful harbour and a historic castle.
- Valognes: located in the heart of the Cotentin, this village is known for its beautiful mansions and manor houses. Here you can enjoy not only Normandy architecture and history but also a nice lunch or dinner in one of the better restaurants.
- Bayeux: in this medieval town in Calvados, three quarters of an hour from here, you can stroll around a beautiful medieval centre. This town also existed in the time of the Gallo-Romans, but the Normans destroyed the entire city in the 9th century. Bayeux was then rebuilt, and because the town largely escaped the First and Second World Wars, many of those buildings have been excellently preserved. It is best known for its famous tapestry and beautiful medieval architecture.
- Carentan-les-Marais: this village is a 15-minute drive away and is known for its important location during the Battle of Normandy and many sports of this period can still be found. There are also many museums nearby that focus on this period, such as the D-Day Experience Museum.
- Mont Saint Michel: This small town is not only a world-famous tourist attraction, but it is also an ancient pilgrimage site. It is built on a rocky islet. Over the centuries, all kinds of architectural gems have been built here: the pre-Romanesque church, the abbey and the Romanesque and Gothic monastery buildings. Mont Saint-Michel has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
- And finally, a must for hikers is a walk to Nez de Jobourg along the highest coastlines in Europe via the “Chemin des Douaniers“. This path was originally used by customs officers to prevent the smuggling and looting of ships.
