Cherbourg - Petite Rade

The region of Lower Normandy is one of the 27 regions of France that was created in 1956. It contains 3 departments: Calvados, Manche and Orne. This administrative region was separated by Upper Normandy in the past, but the beauty of the two areas is very similar and their history and culture share many elements. The sceneries in Lower Normandy are spectacular and they represent the main reason why many tourists are eager to visit this side of the French territory. The Lower Normandy is agriculturally rich and it offers its locals a rich flora and fauna and the perfect resources for the textile industry and fruit production. The most interesting thing is that Lower Normandy has its own dialect which is called Norman and it is still being used by the locals.

From a cultural point of view, this region ihas offered a great variety of French authors to the world, but music had an important part to play here, too. The most important cities that belong to Lower Normandy are Alencon, Argentan, Avranches, Bayeux, Caen, Cherbourg-Octeville, Deauville, Flers, Herouville-Saint-Claire, Lisieux, Saint-Lo and Tourlaville. Also, the traditional districts here are the Contentin Peninsula, La Hague, the Champagne de Caen, the Norman Bocage, the Bessin and the Avrachin. Calvados, one of the departments of the region, is well-reputed for the brandy that it produces, which wears the name of the region.

This area has its origins after the Revolution in 1790 and it has its capital in the city of Caen. The tourists who will visit Calvados will have the pleasant surprise of being able to spend an active vacation and enjoy many activities, but also a great number of historical sights, cultural objectives and natural reservations. The historical heritage has been well-preserved in the museums of Calvados, such as the Pegasus Memorial, the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, the Juno Beach Centre, the Longues Battery, the Memorial of Caen, the Museum of the Battle of Normandy, the Museum Baron Gerard and many more. Manche is a department in Lower Normandy that was named after the French name of the English Channel. The landscapes and the unusual beauty of this region will impress the tourists who will have the opportunity of visiting landmarks such as the Chateau Fort de Pirou in Pirou, the Abbaye de Hambyem, the Porte du Bulevard in Mont-St-Michel, the Pointe du Grouin Sud in Vains and so on.

There are many beaches, gardens and natural reservations to be seen here, as wel, like the Tahitou Island in Saint-Vaas-la-Hougue, the Cap Carteret and many others. Orne, the third department of Lower Normandy is also one of the most picturesque places in France, where history meets the amazing landscapes. Some of the most popular places to visit while in Orne are the Memorial of Montormel in Argentan, the Notre-Dame de Sees Cathedral, the Carrouges Castle, the Notre-Dame de Montligeon Sanctuary and many more unforgettable objectives.