Posted:  Wednesday 10th June 2009

London Plant Associates
Exploring Normandy
May 8th to 11th, 2009

Queueing at the Dartford Toll.

We had a good run to the Shuttle with a last pick up at Hythe and with a crossing an hour earlier than planned, we were passing Boulogne by 11.15 local time.  We drove through lush, green, undulating terrain with fields a patchwork of colours.
 

We reached our lunch stop, Le Tréport, a bustling fishing port and seaside town, by 1 pm.     Right: A street scene in Le Tréport.

By now, the early sun had given way to cloud and some rain, but things were brightening up by the time we boarded the coach for the onward journey.

All aboard, and on to St Valéry-en-Caux

Now on a plateau, just inland above the chalk cliffs, we moved along the coast to our destination, St Valéry-en-Caux.  The scenery now included orchards, full of spring blossom, and fields with livestock.

We reached our hotel about 4 pm.  It is modern with spacious, comfortable rooms, many looking onto the marina.

The sun was out, and after unpacking, most walked from the hotel down to the harbour entrance, formed between steep cliffs.  Nearby, the tourist office is in the Maison Henri IV, built in 1540 and one of the few buildings that survived war-time destruction.  The town was full of tourists, mostly French.  We discovered we had arrived on a public holiday - VE Day.

Maison Henri IV - the tourist office at St. Valery.

Saturday was overcast but dy as we set off for Rouen and Giverny.  We crossed the elevated chalk plateau of High Normandy with characteristic half-timbered farm houses.  We passed through Doudeville, situated at the centre of the Pays de Caux.  Claiming to be the flax capital of the region, it still has an air of prosperity with its elegant large houses.

Rouen was a gem of a city with medieval streets mixed with modern shopping areas.  Our coach dropped us close by the cathedral.  Its exterior is testament to the care given to the building; the soaring interior was inspiring.  Touring the building there are explanations of the restoration following various disasters - the most recent being severe damage to the choir when a spire, dislodged by the hurricane of December 1999, fell through the roof. The cathedral is surrounded by medieval buildings in narrow streets.

An accordion player added to the atmosphere.  Other "must see" sights were the clock tower in the "Street of the Large Clock" and the massive chapel commemorating Joan of Arc's martyrdom.

Some took the tourist train to see the sights - there was so much to see - before we had to set off for Giverny.

Monet's garden at Giverny is very popular.  There was a very long queue to get in, which we by-passed by entering as a group.  The planting was intense and a riot of bloom with the exuberant spring flowers and blossom.  Everybody enjoyed the visit.
It had been tiring but a most enjoyable day.


Tony and Joan

Monet's bridge.

Sunday we went to Deauville. As we headed west the road passed through woodland. There were many different trees, stunning with their fresh foliage. The motorway crossed the Seine south of Le Havre on the impressive Bridge of Normandy.

At the drop off point, some walked across the nearby bridge to Trouville where there was a big, once a year, Sunday market.

For others, Deauville was full of attractions - a smaller market, or cafes and shops.  There were marinas full of yachts and cruisers and the sand and board walk of the famous beach.  The sun added to the pleasure of a lovely visit.
As if that was not enough we then we stopped at Honfleur on our return journey.  There, the harbour area was filled with, mainly French, tourists and, with the warm sun; there was a real holiday atmosphere.


Honfleur

We walked the narrow back streets, past the prison and looked in the massive salt stores, built in the 17th century, capable of storing ten thousand tons of salt. Right: The prison courtyard

We had an early start on Monday for our journey home.  The planned stop at Dieppe was quickly rescheduled after we found the place deserted.  Neil, our very accommodating driver, suggested we visit Boulogne instead, which we reached at 1 pm and parked at the harbour.  There was time to visit the commercial centre for lunch or shopping, or to walk up the Grande Rue to the old fortified town.

The entrance to the Old Town - Boulogne-sur-Mer.

We then had a couple of hours at Cité Europe again for shopping or for a late lunch.  Neil managed to bring forward our shuttle booking to 6.20 pm.  Rain had been forecast for the day, but our luck had held and we had blue sky the whole day, but with very strong wind - we were glad we were on the shuttle.

There was thanks all round to George Mann for organising the trip and to Neil, our driver, for taking such good care of us.

There are a lot more photos - to see them, click here.