The North West of France is rimmed with coastline...
From Paris, the Seine River flows northward through NORMANDY, (past Giverny, the home of Impressionist Monet), through the beautiful city of Rouen (Monet painted many versions of the magnificent cathedral, each in different light), traverses the green rural countryside of apple orchards (cidre and Calvados) and dairy farms (Camembert, Pont l'Eveque and other cheeses), finally out into the English Channel (La Manche)
To the east are the chalky cliffs at Etretat and to the west the quaint fishing village of Honfleur favored by Impressionist painters. Heading westward are the fashionable resorts of Deauville and Trouville; the beaches and cliffs etched in history for the D-Day landings of the Allied Forces in WWII, impressively memorialized at Caen; the medieval abbey of Mont-St-Michel, perched high on rocks surrounded by wide expanses of sand washed twice daily by the tides.
Continuing west, the rocky coastline becomes more and more jagged as it juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and encloses BRITTANY (la Bretagne), rich with Celtic traditions. You'll see red hair, hear bagpipes and notice that the local traditional language, Breton, is more like Gaelic than French. In the summer, colorful festivals known as "Pardons" take place, where the costumes recall the traditional lace headpieces measuring over 12 inches high. On the south side of the Finistere, the large northwest peninsula of Brittany, is the town of Quimper, famous for its faience (pottery decorated with traditional local folkloric motifs).
Farther along the Atlantic coastline are the walled cities of Concarneau and Vannes. At Carnac (near the slim resort peninsula of Quiberon, on the Atlantic coast) you'll find prehistoric monoliths dating from the time of the Druids.
To the southeast, but inland, is the LOIRE VALLEY. For centuries French kings chose this valley for their royal castles - because of its gentle climate and beautiful garden-like setting. Most of these magnificent chateaux are open for visiting. Among the most impressive are Chambord, Chenonceaux, Amboise, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideaux. Some are set up during the summer with impressive outdoor "Sound and Light" productions for your evening's entertainment. From May through September, at Chambord a great spectacle, complete with performing horses and actors in period costumes, is presented to depict the history of the chateau from early Renaissance when constructed for Francois Ier through the late 17th century.
Other smaller chateaux have been the homes of French nobility, with private vineyards on the property. The "proprietaire" often welcomes visitors, and some even offer accommodations. Staying overnight in a chateau can be quite a delightful experience.
And if you're an equestrian yourself, what better way to visit the Loire Valley of chateaux than on horseback! Another awe-inspiring way to visit this region is from a soaring baloon. This, too, is possible. Which way would appeal to you?
Just south along the Atlantic, some of the sunniest beaches are in the province of POITOU-CHARENTE at l'Ile de Re.
Within the same vicinity, contrasting with the tranquility of the Marais Marshes, is the excitement to be found at the "Futurescope" at the European Parc de l'Image.
Also in this region are vineyards for the production of Cognac. Some can be visited.
The town of Saintes, an ancient Roman-era capital, was important in medieval Romanesque times as well. The city of Poitiers is home to l'Universite de Poitiers as well as a major site for Romanesque art.
