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The department of Calvados in Normandy is blessed with historic towns, beautiful villages, wonderful countryside and a stunning coastline. Among the many jewels of Calvados are picturesque Honfleur, stylish Deauville and historic Caen. We take a look at some of the best places to visit and things to do in Calvados…

Calvados | Eau de Vie

Calvados the department gives its name to Calvados, a sort of apple brandy. This strong drink is created by distilling cider twice, maturing it in wooden barrels and blending it. Enjoyed with a coffee in the evening, it packs a powerful punch.

Discover more about Calvados at the Calvados Experience, a cross between a museum and an innovative show utilising the most up to date multimedia themes. You’ll enjoy a tasting at the end of your visit and there’s a great shop selling Calvados, cider and local products, plus there’s a picnic area and café.

Details: calvados-experience.com/en – you can take the tour in eight languages.

Deauville

Famous for its racecourse, casino, golf course and long sandy beach lined with beach huts named after American movie stars (in honour of the annual American Film Festival held in Deauville), called the Promenade des Planches. Here you’ll find the rich and beautiful promenading; wealthy, tanned old ladies lying under the colourful beach parasols and smartly dressed visitors enjoying the unique ambience of elegant Deauville.

Honfleur

Wandering around the harbour and up and down the wiggly cobble stone streets of Honfleur is one of life’s great pleasures. It’s one of the finest places in France for simply sitting and watching the world go by from a terrace café with a steaming bowl of moules mariniere and a glass of chilled wine. It’s a buzzing, vibrant, colourful and truly enchanting little place that is quaintly charming and full of character despite the high number of tourists.

Caen

The port town of Caen is the capital of Calvados as well as William the conqueror’s last hometown. The old part of the town, Vaugeux district, is small but has some pretty half-timbered houses, lots of cafés, bars and restaurants where whiling away an hour or several isn’t hard. Don’t miss a visit to the monumental Abbeys in the town – the Men’s Abbey was built by William the Conqueror and the Women’s’ Abbey by his wife Matilda. There’s also a museum and Fine Arts Museum in the former Caen Castle. Around six miles from the city centre is the famous Pegasus Bridge, a major landmark and historic site of World War II which played a significant role in the D-Day Landings.

Bayeux

Bayeux is famous primarily for being the home of the Bayeux tapestry which depicts the Norman conquest of England. Almost 1000 years old, a real life Game of Thrones tale, captured in thread – it really is an extraordinary piece of work. The area around the historic cathedral is great for a wander and the old town is very pretty. Next door to the Cathedral, the Museum Baron Gérard is located in the former episcopal palace and houses an excellent collection which dates from prehistory to the 20th century. Visit the superb Memorial Museum of the Battle of Normandy to explore the history of the D-Day landings through to victory.

French Connections has loads of great holiday homes in Calvados including gites, apartments, cottages, villas and even chateaux and a watermill.