A thousand years of history, faith, and talent have shaped the Mont-Saint-Michel, the ‘Wonder of the West’. Legend has it that in 708, the Archangel Saint-Michel appeared before Bishop Aubert and commanded that a sanctuary be built on Mount Tombe, an island in the middle of the bay that saw some of the highest tides…
Category: meat
Normandy’s Black Pudding Festival
One of my favourite comfort foods for the wintry months is black pudding, so I was really happy to set off to the Foire au Boudin annual black pudding festival this time last year. This three-day food fest, which takes place on 17-19 March this year, is a well established event in the Normandy calendar. Every spring…
Andouille de Vire, a bit of a banger
Vire is a cosy market town in the bocage hinterland of Normandy and is world famous for being home to andouille, the local smoked chitterling sausage. Over recent years, andouille has become increasingly more popular over the Channel and is now quite a trendy ingredient for foodie fashionistas. Vire is the nearest big town to…
All you need to know about aperitifs à la Normande
Apéro’clock: that time of day when you head out for a glass of something cold and alcoholic! In many parts of France, you might see people reaching for the wine, but did you know that in Normandy the drinks menu revolves not around grapes, but around apples and pears? From fruit… Normandy cider, poiré [pear cider],…
What a load of tripe
Today is the day when I am literally going to talk a load of tripe. To commemorate World Tripe Day, this post focuses on a rather unexpected local delicacy from Normandy, or more precisely, from the bustling city of Caen: the famous tripes à la mode de Caen. In the Middle Ages, William the Conqueror made…
Ten treats to try that were made in Manche
The Manche département of Normandy is home to a great many artisan food and drink producers who each make and sell delicious specialties à la Manchoise. Here are 10 treats to try when visiting this picturesque part of Normandy! 1) Biscuits from Sainte-Mère-Eglise Inspired by the wartime history of the town, well-known shop Le Biscuit de…
L’Hermière, foodie heaven in the Pays de Caux
L’Hermière restaurant, deep in the countryside between Étretat and Le Havre is a real find. I went recently with my local partner, Ivan, from the Seine-Maritime Tourist Board and not only was I the only non-French person there, it felt like the type of place only locals would know about.
La Renaissance’s star is rising
It is not often that you get to eat in a Michelin-starred establishment. Which is why, when offered the opportunity to do just that, I jumped at it. On 1 February 2016, Arnaud Viel, chef at La Renaissance restaurant/hotel in Argentan, was awarded his first Michelin star, bringing the total number of Michelin starred restaurants…
Happiness at Le Bréard in Honfleur
Many casual visitors to Honfleur congregate on the restaurant terraces around the picturesque Vieux Bassin. You can’t blame them for soaking up that glorious view, but take the trouble to explore the narrow streets that lead gently uphill behind the wooden church of St Catherine and you could be in for a treat, especially if…
Eat like a king at the Étape Louis XIII
I love a good restaurant recommendation, especially when it comes from a local. I was planning a trip deep into rural Normandy in search of a new Norman foodie trend – red flesh apples – and needed a stop for lunch. My local partner Capucine suggested the restaurant Etape Louis XIII in the village of…
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