Normandy Holiday & Travel Guide: Normandy is situated in Northern France and is a coastal region facing the English Channel. It is divided into two regions: Upper (or Haute) Normandy, with the departments of Seine-Maritime and Eure; and Lower (Basse) Normandy, which is divided into three regions: Calvados, Manche and Orne.

Normandy is a popular holiday destination due to its history which goes back to the Vikings, the area given the name when the Vikings conquered the territory in the 9th Century. It was also from here that William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy launched an attack on England and invaded the country in the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

It is popular due its scenic countryside, coastlines and beaches. The place is filled with history represented in its architecture and buildings that are partly made of wood. The Normandy Landing Beaches (Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah beaches), which is where the Allied forces landed on June 6th 1944 (also known as “D-Day”) are frequently visited by those who want to pay their respects and remember those who fought in this monumental battle.

There are several other beaches there ideal for relaxing, for those with more of a holiday rather than a pilgrimage in mind, and include Deauville, Trouville, Honfleurm, Villerville and Granville.

The Channel Islands, while still Crown Dependencies, are French speaking islands and often associated with Normandy. The two divisions of Normandy vary in that Upper Normandy is mostly industrial, while Lower Normandy is more of an agricultural area. Major sources of thriving economy come from its: dairy produce, the flax plant, its seafood and it is also a popular tourist destination which is another profitable industry from the region.

Major cities: Rouen (capital of Upper Normandy), Caen (capital of Lower Normandy), Le Havre, Cherbourg

Rivers in Normandy: The River Seine and several of its tributaries run through Normandy, and include: Andelle, Epte, Eure, Risle, Robec.

There are also several coastal rivers, for example, the Couesnon, which serves as a boundary between the regions of Brittany and Normandy.

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