Land of rich pastures and fashionable watering-places, Normandy may
truly be said to have been "favoured by the gods." Her fertile soil,
famous breeds of horses and cattle, picturesque sites, and renowned
sea-bathing coast have made Normandy one of France's most flourishing
provinces. Numerous splendid monuments evoke in the tourist's mind
reminiscences of a glorious past.
No region has been more lavishly adorned by Nature. Its mountain
landscapes have caused it to be surnamed "La Petite Suisse." Among the
more interesting places may be mentioned =Bagnoles-de-l'Orne=, with its
famous mineral-water springs; =Rouen=, with its celebrated cathedral,
churches of St. Ouen and St. Maclou, Palais-de-Justice, and port (which
the war has transformed into one of the most important in Europe);
=Caen=--"Norman Athens"--with its Romanesque churches, Renaissance
mansions, and ancient houses; the great cathedrals of =Sees=, =Evreux=,
=Bayeux=, and =Coutances=; the feudal ruins of =Arques=,
=Chateau-Gaillard= and =Falaise=; the Abbeys of =Jumieges= and =St.
Wandrille=; the mediaeval narrow winding streets of =Lisieux=.
Numerous sea-side resorts: =Dieppe=, =St. Valery=, =Fecamp=, =Entretat=,
=Le Havre=, and =St. Adresse=, =Honfleur=, =Trouville=, =Deauville=,
=Villers=, =Houlgate=, =Cabourg=, =Cherbourg= and =Grandville= are too
widely known to call for special mention.
Lastly =St. Michael's Mount= (surnamed the "Marvel of the West"), with
its extraordinary pyramid of superimposed Gothic monastery and Churches,
built on a rock in the middle of a deep bay.
* * * * *
_All enquiries with regard to travelling should be addressed to the
"Touring Club de France," 65, Avenue de la Grande Armee 65, Paris._