In the early 1930s, Jean Puiforcat created a water jug for the first-class tables on his ‘Normandy’ cruise ship. It is a discreetly elegant piece of cutlery with a stringently geometric shape and is a beautiful addition to your dining collection.

Normandy is a region that has always been at the forefront of art, music and culture. There is a huge range of events happening throughout the year, and it is certainly worth taking the time to experience some of them.

Normandy is renowned for its cider, which has been made since the 11th century and is now one of the main exports. If you have the chance to visit the area, make sure you try a glass of cider with some savory crepes for lunch and a dessert of a local apple pie or ice cream.

There is no need to go far from the coast when you visit Normandy, as the countryside is full of stunning villages and towns to explore. The Cotentin is particularly interesting, with many of its villages being a fine example of the Norman style of architecture.

The church at Lessay is another example of the best type of Norman work, with round-headed windows, a double triforium and a very characteristic semi-circular apse, and the roofs are brightly coloured with orange lichen. The town is a popular tourist centre, and the castle that sits at the top of the village looks very picturesque.

The village itself grew round the Benedictine convent, which was established by Turstan Halduc in 1040. The ruins of the castle are also worth visiting, for they are magnificently preserved and offer an excellent view of the surrounding countryside.