Before explaining a little about the most popular attractions in the area, here is some information about how to get to Clos des Fleurs - and the distances to shops and restaurants. Guests get a 22-page information pack with all this information and more.

• Ferry: Caen - 40km; Cherbourg - 100km; Le Havre - 130km; Calais - 380km
• Train: Bayeux - 9km (lines to Paris St Lazare, Cherbourg, Rennes, St Malo and the Loire Valley)
• Airport: Caen - 20km; Rennes - 160km; Paris Orly - 280km; Paris Charles de Gaulle - 290km
• Shops: It is best to shop in Bayeux (8km away) where there is a great selection of independent stores and supermarkets which sell quality food, drink & other supplies. There are also good clothes stores. There is a basic store 2km away - and a local baker can deliver fresh pastries to the house on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays (order forms & directions provided at house).
• Restaurants: There are plenty of good bistros and bars in Bayeux ... and fine dining is available nearby at Chateau Audrieu (9km) and further afield in Caen, Port-en-Bessin, Arromanches etc. See the online Michelin maps for some suggestions of good restaurants near Bayeux.

Normandy's top attractions ...

There's lots to do all year round in Lower Normandy ... here are a few highlights ranging from the classics to some less well-known secrets. We have arranged them by theme (some with a map): D-Day landings; outdoor activities; chateaux & gardens; markets; food & drink. There is also an extensive calendar of more than 70 annual events to give you ideas on when to come - basically it's a great place to visit out of the main summer season!

The Battle of Normandy
There are too many museums, cemeteries and memorials to see in one holiday - but we would definitely recommend you visit a selection of sites such as the British and US war graves at Bayeux and Colleville-sur-Mer, the Mulberry harbour remains in Arromanches and the Caen memorial. Each June there are also events to commemorate the 1944 landings - you might also consider joining a D-Day tour. [view map]

Beaches & other outdoor activities
In terms of beaches you have lots to choose from: there are safe places to bathe from the Norman Riviera (the spa towns of Deauville and Trouville) all the way along the D-Day coastline (we like Omaha beach in particular - 25 mins from the house and close to the interesting towns of Port-en-Bessin and Isigny-sur-Mer). Other popular activities in include cycling, walking, fishing, sailing, canoeing, horseriding and golf.

Chateaux, abbeys & gardens
Despite being best known for its beaches, tapestry and cheeses, Normandy has a great variety of chateaux, abbeys and gardens all within easy reach of our house. Calvados in particular has some quite quirky destinations such as Chateau Balleroy (13km) with its hot air balloon museum and Chateau de Vendeuvre with its talking mechanical figures, miniture furniture and mazes!

Markets
If you are arriving on Saturday I would definitely recommend you pay a visit to Bayeux market prior to going to the house. It has a huge variety of vegetables, meats, cheeses, hot snacks, flowers and more - it starts at 9am and starts to wind down at midday. There are also large Christmas markets in Rouen, Caen, Falaise, Lisieux and Honfleur as well as smaller towns in the region. [view map of markets]

Food & drink
Normandy has a stong pedegree in the kitchen - in fact the author of the first French cookbook was the 14th Century Norman called Guillaume Tirel. Since those times, the region's geology and geographical position have dictated the development of its cuisine: its fertile soils provide a wealth of agricultural produce and the well-stocked seas provide a huge proportion of the fish eaten in France. [local dishes & resturants] [local food map]