 On the 6th June 1944, Normandy made an indelible mark on world history. It was on the beaches of Normandy that the largest military manoeuvre of the 20th century unfolded - D-Day. Today, Normandy is a fitting haven of tranquillity...an area in which green rolling hills, woodland coppices and bubbling streams combine to create what can only be described as a natural paradise. For homebuyers, French property in Normandy provides the chance to experience this land of awe-inspiring countryscapes first-hand, without the need to break the bank.
Normandy hugs the central northern coastline of France. It is sandwiched between the regions of Brittany and the Somme, and is only a few short hours away by ferry from the UK. The region is divided into two distinct sub-regions - Upper (Haute) Normandy and Lower (Basse) Normandy. Both areas are very popular with North Europeans - especially the British - and being quite close to Paris, many Parisians own countryside property here too.
Upper Normandy comprises of two departments - Seine Maritime and Eure, both of which are roughly separated by the Seine River that flows through Paris and out to sea at Le Havre. The coastline in Upper Normandy is known as the Alabaster Coast for its chalk cliffs that rise up to 100 metres in places. Along the coast there are many popular seaside towns and villages, including the likes of Dieppe and Fecamp. This area is much favoured with British buyers of Normandy property. Whole communities of Brits living in Normandy can be found around this area. The area around the University City of Rouen in Upper Normandy on the banks of the River Seine is also a much sought-after location in which to buy a villa in France.
In the department of Eure in Upper Normandy, prospective buyers of French property will find a vast array of quaint and charming locations in which to buy Normandy property. On the Iton River is Evreux - a Gallo-Roman city with a 12th century cathedral. It is one of the most fascinating places you're likely to see in Normandy and it also offers excellent golfing facilities. The ancient fortified town of Brionne is an enchanting place in which to buy Normandy property too, as is the medieval town of Louviers.
Lower Normandy comprises of three departments - Manche, Calvados and Orne. All are extremely popular with the British and the Parisians, many taking advantage of the excellent transport infrastructure that exists in the region. Lower Normandy is much hillier than Upper Normandy, more notably in Southern Calvados and Orne. Alencon in particular, with its magnificent Gothic churches, is a highly desirable place to live.
Along the coast, yet more Normandy wonders await. Seaside resorts, towns and villages cater for those looking for a more active lifestyle. There are casinos, nightclubs, international regattas and much, much more available here. The delightful town of Cherbourg on the Cherbourg Peninsula is an excellent location in which to buy property, while further along the coastline is the famous Mont-Saint-Michel, and of course, the now tranquil D-Day beaches.
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