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Normandy Attractions  For family holidays Normandy is an excellent choice with attractions to keep everyone happy, from outdoor activity centres to zoos, museums, a small theme park and miles of sandy beaches. For those interested in history the region is full of museums dedicated to Roman History, the Norman Conquest and the Second World War - especially D Day.  And in the heart of Normandy you will find wonderful rolling countryside, gardens and châteaux. Worthy of a trip are Le Mont St-Michel just over the departmental border in Brittany, the Palace de Versailles west of Paris and even Paris itself.

La Cité de la Mer

Location: In the old port of Cherbourg (follow signs).
General Information: Open from 3rd Feb – end of 2007. Closed on Mondays 12, 19, 26 Nov and 3, 17 Dec. In peak season costs are €14.50 and €10.50.  Tel No: 0(2) 33 20 26 26. Website.
Description: Opened in 2002 this is France’s newest marine attraction. There are two sections to the museum – The ‘Ocean Pole’and the ‘Submarine Pole’. In the first (The ocean Pole) the visit is organised into various themes where you will learn about the dark oceanic depths and mans underwater adventures. In the second you go on a fascinating journey round the decommissioned submarine The Redoubtable. This is the worlds largest submarine that is open to the public. It was France’s first nuclear powered ballistic missile sub.
For the children: Not so much an aquarium as a museum devoted to nautical/submariner type information and so may be of more appeal to older children.

Our favourite attractions in Normandy:

   - Bayeux Tapestry
   - Cité de la Mer
   - Festyland
   - Le Mont St-Michel
   - Le Val des Cîmes
   - Little Switzerland
   - Musée du Chemin de Fer
   - Souterroscope des Ardoisières
   - Viaduc de la Souleuvre
   - Vieux-la-Romaine
   - Village Enchanté
   - Zoo de Champrépus

External websites offering information on Normandy:

    
- Normandy Tourist Board site
     - Discover Normandy
     - Normandy France.Net
     - Château de Versailles - well worth a day trip!
Chosen by our children:

     - Top Attractions in Normandy
     - Top Ten Holiday destinations in France