Property Normandy - Calvados in Basse-Normandie

Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France

The Basse-Normandie (or Lower Normandy) region is part of the ancient duchy of Normandy. The regions is made up of three departments (Fr. départements) Orne, Calvados, and Manche

The Calvados Department (14):

The French department of Calvados forms part of the region of Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy). It takes its name from a cluster of rocks off its coast and is famous for its apple liqueur.

Major Towns in Calvados

Caen

The departmental capital of Calvados and the capital of the Basse-Normandie. The city has a population of 115 000 inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 200 000. Its inhabitants are called the caennais (and caennaise(s) for women). It is located 15 km (6 miles) inland from the English Channel (French: La Manche) and is noted for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried here, and for the Battle for Caen; heavy fighting that took place in and around Caen during the Battle of Normandy in 1944, destroying much of the town.

Places of Interest in Calvados

Bayeux

A major tourist attraction, best known to British and French visitors for the Bayeux tapestry, made to commemorate the Norman conquest of England in 1066. It is displayed in a museum in the town centre. The town also has a large Norman-Romanesque cathedral, consecrated in 1077, which was the original home of the tapestry.

During the Second World War Bayeux was one of the first French towns to be liberated during the Battle of Normandy, and on 16th June 1946 General Charles de Gaulle made his first important speech on liberated French soil in Bayeux. The buildings in Bayeux were virtually untouched during the Battle of Normandy as the German forces defending the town were pulled away to help defend Caen. The town hosts the largest British war cemetery in Normandy.

Deauville

Renowned for its racecourse, harbour, marinas, conference centre, villas, Grand Casino and sumptuous hotels, Deauville is regarded as the queen of the Normandy beaches.

Trouville

Deauville's near neighbour but much more low key. Its narrow, labyrinthine alleyways go back to it medieval origins as a fishing port.

Honfleur

Located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine, very close to the exit of the Pont de Normandie road bridge that spans the River Seine and links it to Le Havre. It is especially known for its old, beautiful picturesque port, characterized by its houses with slate-covered frontages, painted many times by artists.

Lisieux

Possibly the most significant pilgrimage site in France after Lourdes. Devoted to Therese Martin who, in 1925, became Saint Therese de Lisieux. The Carmelite Convent, Cathedral Saint Piere, The Diorama Wax Musuem, The Basilica, and the family home, Les Buissonnets, are open to the public.

Culture

The Bayeux Tapestry stems from Bayeux and makes the city one of the most-visited tourist destinations in Normandy.

Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer, Calvados, commemorates the D-Day landing of the Canadian liberation forces at Juno Beach during World War II in 1944.

The cult of Therese de Lisieux brings large numbers of people on pilgrimage to Lisieux.

Cuisine - Calvados

Calvados - An apple brandy. Apple orchards and brewers are mentioned as far back as the 8th century by Charlemagne. The first known Norman distillation was carried out by 'Lord' de Gouberville in 1554, and the guild for cider distillation was created about 50 years later in 1606.

Access to Calvados

Direct flights from the UK to Normandy include flybe into Cherbourg and Skysouth which flies from Shoreham Airport (Brighton) to Caen and Le Havre.

There are ferries to Ouistrehem (Caen), Le Havre in Upper Normandy and St Malo in Brittany.

Gites, Hotels and Tourist Accommodation in Normandy

This increase in tourism, especially since it is fuelled to some degree by the increase in low cost air fares, opens opportunities for those wishing to start or run a business in France.

Many people find converting an old barn or outhouse to a gite enables them to earn a useful supplementary income from those looking for a French gite holiday. Rural gite holidays are increasingly popular and a 'gite to rent' or 'gite louer' could be how you enjoy life without working in the rat race.

House & Property Prices in Calvados, Basse-Normandie

The most expensive of the three departments that make up Lower Normandy. Prices of property for sale are above the national average for apartments but slightly below the average for houses.

It's proximity to the UK and ease of access makes it popular with British buyers and it still represents good value in comparison to UK prices. A 4 bedroom houses costs between 220,000 and 240,000 euros whilst a 2 bedroom apartments between 190,000 and 210,000 euros.

Site copyright © WebOneUK.com 2010 - Web Design & Marketing

Part of the Home France group of Web Sites