Destination Overview
Normandy has a proud and independent history and was one of the
major powers of medieval Europe. Colonized by the Vikings from the
9th century, it was home to William the Conqueror who famously
defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and in 1066
established the great Norman aristocratic line that remains
prominent in England today. This historic event is commemorated in
the region's most popular attraction, the marvellous Bayeux
Tapestry. It was here, too, in Rouen that valiant Joan of Arc was
burned at the stake, and at the chic seaside resort of Deauville
that Coco Chanel started a fashion renaissance opening her first
boutique. The province is, however, probably best known for the
Normandy landings of 1944 when Britain and America began their
liberation of France and Europe from Hitler's Germany.Today Normandy is overwhelmingly agricultural and is appreciated
by the gastronomically fastidious French for its excellent produce,
particularly dairy and seafood. Fighting in WWII destroyed many of
the great medieval towns, but a few treasures still remain and make
a trip to Normandy worthwhile.
