A polished brass milk jug from Normandy, France, was hand-crafted circa 1850. The stocky container has a lightly textured exterior and is slightly tapered.
A thick handle rises from the decorative midsection and attaches near the lip of the jug. A molded lid provides a secure seal, keeping contents safe.
Cider
Normandy is one of the world’s largest apple production areas and is also a top exporter of cider. This region is home to hundreds of apple and pear varieties and is known for its artisanal ciders and other beverages that are made with these apples.
The French word for cider is cidre, and it can be produced with different amounts of alcohol and types of apples. Cidre doux (sweet cider) is typically about three percent alcohol by volume, while cidre demi-sec is usually about four percent alcohol and cidre brut is generally about seven percent alcohol.
Cidre de Normandie is one of the most popular and well-known ciders in France and is available all over the country. The drink is light yellow to dark orange in color, with a foamy head and fine bubbles throughout the liquid body.
You can find a wide variety of ciders from different producers, but it is important to look for a bottle that has a label. This will tell you the origin of the cider and how it was made.
Besides cider, Normandy is home to another alcoholic beverage called Calvados. Unlike brandy, which is made from grapes, Calvados is traditionally made with apples.
The drink is fermented and distilled to make it sweeter, and can range in flavor from sweet to dry. It is sometimes infused with fruit, herbs, or spices. It has a higher alcohol content and is less sweet than a traditional cider, but it is still delicious.
To get a taste of this wonderful boozy drink, you can visit a Normandy cider farm and try all the different varieties they have to offer. You can even take a tour of the orchard to learn how the cider is made.
After you’ve gotten your fill of cider, it’s time to stop in for a bite to eat. You can grab a snack at Denis Geneviere Marie along the lane or at La croisee des saveurs, a local restaurant that sells local foods.
Normandy is the perfect place to go for a cider route. This 25-mile route is filled with quiet villages, picturesque farms and a variety of cider producers. Many of the signs on the road will tell you where to turn for cider tastings and tours of the farms.
Crepes
In Normandy crepes, galettes or buckwheat pancakes are a common dish eaten throughout the region and can be filled with cheese, vegetables or proteins. They can be served as a main meal, or as a light snack.
The region is well known for its gastronomy so it’s no surprise that most restaurants and cafes serve crepes. There are also dedicated crepe-only restaurants that specialize in this popular French breakfast and lunch dish.
A typical menu will include a range of savory and sweet crepes that can be stuffed with a variety of ingredients, including bacon, eggs, cheese and ham. Often served with a side salad, crepes are an affordable and filling way to enjoy a meal.
You can make crepes from a recipe or you can buy them pre-made in the supermarket. However, it’s best to make them yourself as they are so much better and the batter is made from scratch.
Generally speaking, the batter for crepes is made with a blend of egg, milk, sugar and vanilla extract. The mixture is poured into a greased pan and cooked for one to two minutes on each side. If the crepe is cooked properly you’ll see a few hollow craters on the bottom, and it should release easily from the pan.
There are lots of ways to top crepes in France but the traditional toppings are nutella, jam, lemon and sugar or caramel sauce. You can also add chocolate, chantilly cream or fruit to your crepe.
The traditional savory crepes in Brittany are called galettes, but you can find crepes all over the country. The fillings can vary from ham and cheese to smoked salmon and creme fraiche. You can also try a buckwheat crepe with creamy leeks and baked eggs, which is a great breakfast or brunch recipe.
If you’re looking for a sweet crepe try this delicious apple and pear crepe, which is perfect for the festive season or just to indulge your cravings. You can also try a Normandy-style caramel and apple crepe, which is a very simple dish that’s perfect for a family breakfast.
Bayeux Lace
Bayeux is best known for its enormous tapestry of William the Conqueror’s invasion of Britain, but it is also renowned as a center of lace making. Bobbin lace, a technique where many threads are attached to small bobbins and worked by hand, was the most famous form of this delicate art. Today only a few artisans remain who practice the craft.
Located in a 16th-century mansion with the figures of Adam and Eve carved into the facade, the Lace Conservatory showcases samples of this centuries-old skill. Discovery workshops are available with the aim of keeping this traditional technique alive and passing it on.
At the Lace Conservatory visitors can take a guided tour of the workshops and discover Bayeux lace in person. Expert lacemakers demonstrate how to produce this finely detailed, needle-worked fabric.
It is a difficult and time-consuming process that involves manipulating numerous threads on a bobbin in order to create intricate patterns. Traditionally made in white, black or ecru silk, this type of lace is sometimes described as “Chantilly.”
While Bayeux lace was not necessarily associated with mourning, it did often come into fashion during Napoleon III’s reign, according to lacemaker Cecile Roquier, who runs the conservatory. The most spectacular example on display at the museum is a shawl of floral motifs that would have required 15,000 hours to complete by 10 lacemakers.
Roquier, who is in her 60s, explains to RFI that lacemaking has been around for several hundred years, with Catherine de Medicis bringing it to France in the 16th century. Her lace-making techniques have been preserved by the Conservatory and are taught to young apprentices.
The conservatory’s bobbin lace workshop, housed in a 16th-century mansion, is home to an intimate classroom and small shop selling traditional lace-making supplies. Master lacemakers teach the young students the intricate techniques of their ancient art, while the school also offers professional training.
Despite the arrival of machine-made lace, Thomazo says that the tradition has not lost its charm. “Lace is a delicate and beautiful way to express yourself,” she says. The Conservatory’s workshops are open to the public and there are regular demonstrations of lace-making.
Luxury Shopping
When it comes to luxury shopping, New York City is unmatched. From the world’s largest Dolce & Gabbana outlet to the world’s first Armani flagship store, no other metropolis is better equipped to serve up the latest fashion, design and luxury goods to the world’s most discerning fashionistas.
Aside from the aforementioned 5th Avenue mega-stores, Manhattan also boasts more modest (but no less exciting) high-end establishments. You’ll find the latest and greatest from major players such as Hermes, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton dotted around town, but for a truly luxe experience you’ll need to venture a bit further.
The best part is that you can often get these big names at a fraction of the cost you’d pay in your hometown, if you’re willing to shop a little harder. The most impressive luxury retail experiences can be found tucked away in the smaller neighborhoods, where you’ll find the latest in women’s and men’s fashion as well as interior design and home furnishings.
The best way to test the waters is to go with a small budget and a big imagination. You’ll be rewarded with an exceptional experience that’s sure to impress you, your friends and family. In short, you’ll have the time of your life shopping around in Normandy, even if your wallet is strapped for cash. Whether it’s the world’s biggest Hermes hat or the largest Armani tote bag, there’s something for every shopping enthusiast out there.