Normandy Towns  Normandy boasts some splendid towns, many characterised by traditional Norman architecture with its distinctive wooden beams offset against whitewashed walls and known locally as 'colombage'.  A typical example of this is the village of Beuvron-en-Auge, just one of many such villages on the well signposted 'Route du Cidre'. Sit here, or indeed in any of the lovely Norman towns and people watch outside a pavement café. Surprisingly, given the regions recent history in the latter years of WWII, many of Normandy's towns remain intact, particularly true of Bayeux, a town that is well worth visiting.  Along the coast a few gems can be found, including Honfleur with one of the most photogenic harbour bassins in all France.

Villedieu-les-Poêles

Location: Just off the A84 about 25km north of Avranches in the SW of Normandy.
Copper workshop:  2005 prices:Adult €4.20, children €3.50. Open daily in summer but closed Sundays at other times.
Bell foundry: www.cornille-havard.com; 2004 prices €4 adults, €3.20 age 6 – 12; Open daily in summer but closed Sundays/Mondays at other times.
Description:  Villedieu is a very popular tourist destination having grown up around the copper and brass industry.  There are a number of different workshops, foundries and museums around the town that make for a pleasant afternoon visit.
Our recommendations: Don’t buy your copper or brass in the foundries/workshops unless you want the authentic thing.  There are much cheaper options in the plentiful tourist shops on the main street.
For the children: In the bell foundry (Fonderie des Cloches) there are plenty of bells for them to have a go at ringing!

    - Bayeux
    - Beuvron-en-Auge
    - Etretat
    - Giverny
    - Honfleur
    - Villedieu-les-Poelles

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