[:de]May is also the most beautiful spring month in Normandy. It's blooming and green everywhere. The lambs are grazing on the Havres on the west coast and the temperatures are pleasant. Dog owners are also happy that they can visit almost all beaches without restrictions. In addition to long walks on the beach or in the countryside, various events will keep you entertained during your Normandy vacation.
The highlight of the event year: 75th anniversary of D-Day
Experience the monuments and memorials of the landing beaches up close, such as
here at the Pointe d'Hoc. The celebrations from the end of May to mid
June brings the events into focus particularly intensively.
Major events cast their shadow in May: the 75th anniversary of D-Day will be celebrated in June. On June 6, 1944, Allied troops landed on the shores of Normandy to liberate France and ultimately Europe from German occupation. Many soldiers, but also civilians, lost their lives and large parts of Lower Normandy were destroyed. The people of the region have paid a high price for freedom. It is all the more important, in times when nationalism is becoming acceptable again, to keep the memory of the war and the deployment of the Allied troops alive. There will be official commemorative events around D-Day; Theresa May and Donald Trump are expected to visit Normandy and there are rumors that members of the British royal family will travel to Bayeux. There are also numerous liberation festivals, information events, commented hikes, exhibitions and re-enactments of combat operations. Most of this is encapsulated in the D-Day festival, which runs from May 25th to June 16th. The climax of the celebrations is in the week from May 31st to June 9th. On a special page about D-Day are on chiennormandy the most important events on the topic are listed.
Other festivals and events around your holiday home in Normandy
Beyond the big anniversary, numerous other events await you around your holiday home. A few samples:
– This is how the old Normans lived: A medieval and Viking festival is taking place at the Château Fort de Pirou. Dates are May 4th and 5th and May 11th and 12th, from 10 a.m. to 18.30:XNUMX p.m.
Medieval festival celebrated. But it's also worth visiting outside of the festival.
– There are a whole series of interesting flea markets for bargain hunters: on Wednesday, May 8th, which is a public holiday in France, is in Saint-Martin d'Aubigny–Bourg and in Bricquebec, on Sunday, May 12th in Picauville, on Sunday, May 26th in Gorges and Barfleur. There will also be an antique market in Agon-Coutainville on May 26th.
– Would you like some fast-paced races? The French beach sailing championships will take place in Bretteville/Ay on May 18th and 19th.
the French Championships will take place in Bretteville/Ay.
– The Beach Polo Cup starts in Barneville-Carteret on the same weekend.
– Another highlight is the Pierres en Lumières event on Saturday May 18th, comparable to the Long Night of Museums in Germany. All around her Private holiday home For example, you can discover the following treasures, some of which are not otherwise accessible to the public:
- Manoir de la Ventinière from 21 p.m. in Marchésieux
- Château de Montfort 18 p.m. to 21 p.m. in Remilly-les-Marais
- Chaumière de la Bézirie 19 p.m. to midnight in Le Lorey
- Manoir du Plessis, 14 p.m. to 20 p.m. in Le Plessis-Lastelle.
– Last but not least, the well-known festival “Jazz sous les pommiers”, in German: Jazz under the apple trees, starts at the end of May and is taking place in Coutances from May 24th to June 1st this year. The diverse program ranges from “New Orleans” jazz to electronic music and also includes many street performances. Local musicians and international stars give each other the saxophones.
Excursion tip: Cité de la Mer
A popular excursion destination, especially for families with children, is the Cité de la Mer in Cherbourg. And the Maritime Museum has had a new attraction since the end of April: the ocean of the future. On three levels you can immerse yourself in the wild world of the ocean. l'Océan du Futur is a unique homage to the blue planet. Dive into the habitat of dolphins, sharks and sperm whales and discover the tiny plankton. And did you know that nautilus, seahorses, jellyfish and moray eels are among the oldest animals on earth and have populated the oceans for 400 million years? They take a trip to mystical wrecks on the ocean floor and ultimately learn why it is so important to protect the oceans today so that they and humanity have a future. If this is your first time at the Maritime Museum, you should also visit the other areas and allow around four hours for it. It should also be noted that you are not allowed to take your dog into the museum and therefore you must plan your stay in Cherbourg well.
It doesn't always have to be oysters
You don't necessarily want to go out for a fancy meal with your child and/or dog, but you still want the kitchen in your holiday home in Normandy to stay cold during your holiday? Then food trucks are the alternative for you. There are quite a few of them in Normandy and on market days you can choose between bratwursts, galettes and crepes, paella and many other delicacies. You can also stock up on Francky's Pizza for dinner. It is just a stone's throw from your holiday home, from 18 p.m. to 21 p.m.: Monday Intermarché Lessay, Tuesday Saint Germain sur Ay, Lemaitre car park (exit from the D650 towards Plage and immediately right again) and Wednesday Angouville / Ay at the Rel'Ay pub (opposite the church). The dough is thin and crispy, the toppings are generous, the portions are designed for good eaters and every pizza is freshly prepared for you.
Text and photos: Barbara Homolka[:]