Normandy is a region full of events in 2019. From the 75th anniversary of D-Day Landings to a range of food festivals and cider festivals.
This antique Normandy water jug is silver-plated and makes a fine addition to any drinking collection. It is an eye-catching piece with a discreetly elegant design, and would look equally good in your kitchen or on a table.
Cider
Cider is one of the world’s great culinary specialties, and there is no place better to experience it than in Normandy. With its breathtaking landscape, pretty villages and a range of boozy options, this rural region of northern France has long been a retreat for tourists in search of gourmet bliss.
Apples have been cultivated in France for thousands of years, a practice that began when the Celtic Gauls first settled there and later continued during the Roman Empire. The earliest mention of cider in the country is from Strabo (Greek geographer and traveler), who wrote about the profusion of apples in Gaul. In the 9th century, Charlemagne ordered the planting of apple trees in what is now the Normandy region and he made cider a staple beverage for him and his court.
Traditional French ciders are light, fruity and often effervescent. They are typically a medium acidity, but can range from dry to sweet. The cider-making process involves removing excess nutrients, siphoning the juice and fermenting it at cold temperatures with yeast. The result is a crisp and refreshing drink that can be served as an appetizer, digestif or palate cleanser.
Traditionally, cider is made by hand, in an aerated press that combines the juice of apples with water. Yeast feeds on the sugar and converts it into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The resulting juice is then racked into new vats and allowed to ferment again. The fermentation process can take a few months or even a year, depending on the style of cider.
While the most common type of cider is apple, other types include pears and cherries. Pears are an excellent choice for cider because they are less bitter and have a lower sugar content than apples. They also provide a fresh, delicate flavor that balances the sweetness of the cider.
When it comes to cider, the quality of the juice is essential. The juice should be of a consistent size, with no air pockets or staleness. If the juice is too thin, it will not be able to sustain the fermentation process and the cider will not taste as good.
Lace
Lace is a delicate and beautiful fabric that can be used to decorate clothing, furniture and home decor items. This fabric has been around for centuries and is still being made in certain factories today. It is available in a variety of colors and patterns, making it perfect for decorating your home.
There are many different kinds of lace, including bobbin lace and point lace. If you are interested in learning more about the history of lace, you can visit Bayeux in Normandy. This city is known for its lace-making tradition and you can even see the UNESCO-listed Bayeux Tapestry on a tour of the area.
To make a piece of lace, you need a variety of needles and bobbins. You also need pins to hold the threads in place while you work. Once you are done with the design, you can assemble it into one piece.
This process can take months or even years to complete, and it is important that you are able to follow the instructions carefully. If you are unable to do this, it can cause the fabric to unravel and become damaged.
The earliest forms of lace were not very complicated and involved a simple framework of threads that was spread out at a distance from a common center. These were then worked over with the buttonhole stitch to form a wide range of designs.
These designs were then often joined together to form a large piece of lace, which can be very impressive. These patterns were often called “part lace.”
Other types of lace include cordover lace, cluny lace, and Alencon point lace. These lace designs are usually floral, although they can also be of animal or abstract shapes.
To make a piece of cordover lace, you need a variety of different needles and bobbins. You can also use a metal instrument to pass the bobbins through each other, which makes the lace more intricate and adds to its beauty.
You can also use a steel needle to join the pieces together. This can be done in a number of ways, but one popular way is called the “assemblage” stitch.
Festivals
While Normandy is best known for its military history and homage to World War II, it also has a long and fascinating list of cultural highlights. The region is alive with festivals all year round, from jazz to medieval events that take us back in time.
The D-Day Festival, organised every June around the anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944 is one of the region’s most popular and festive annual events. It features a programme of festive and cultural events along the entire coastline of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, including Ouistreham, Arromanches, Pointe du Hoc, and of course the five iconic sectors of Utah Beach, Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach.
To mark this significant event, around 250 men and women from the UK fly across the English Channel to jump into the historic drop zones at D-Day beaches and use military-style parachutes to complete a remarkable re-enactment of the battle. Then, the first ever British memorial is opened overlooking Gold Beach.
July is another great time to visit Normandy with a huge variety of events to choose from. From the Bayeux Medieval Festival, which takes you back in time to swash buckle to sword duels at Sedan castle, to Mont-Saint-Michel lighting up with its new sound and light show Les Chroniques du Mont, there is something for everyone.
A trip to Normandy isn’t complete without a visit to the gardens of Monet’s house in Giverny. The garden is not a big or grand affair, but it really feels like you’re visiting the artist’s home.
If you want to eat well, then you’ll love the monthly Salon Gourmand in Rouen where over 250 artisan food producers come together for a three-day feast of delicious foods and drinks. There are tastings, chef demonstrations and much more.
While it’s not a festival as such, the Menton Lemon Festival is a spectacular two-week event that sees massive statues, models and tableaux made from citrus fruits. This enthralling festival also hosts a variety of electrifying performances by wind musicians, drummers, giants and acrobats.
Food
Food in Normandy is very much about the four Cs: Calvados, Camembert, cider and creme (cream sauces). In this region of apple orchards, dairy farms are dotted throughout the countryside, producing everything from Camembert to creme fraiche.
Whether you are a seasoned eater or not, there is something for everyone in Normandy. You will find traditional French cuisine and some reinterpreted versions as well.
Fish dishes are very popular in the area, including Coquilles St Jacques, which is shellfish cooked with butter, cream and cider. This is a dish that is often served with potatoes, but it can also be eaten as an appetizer or even as a dessert.
Another classic French food is a fondue. It is very popular in the area and is served at many restaurants.
If you want to enjoy a good fondue in the area, try the Mere Poulard restaurant and gift shop. They have a large fondue set that you can use to create your own masterpiece.
In addition to fondue, you can enjoy the many other local dishes that are prepared in normandyjug. These include brioche, which is a sweet bread made from eggs and butter that is believed to have originated in the area.
Cheese is also a staple of the food in Normandy. There are several regional cheeses that you can try, including Camembert, Livarot, Neufchatel and Pont-l’Eveque.
When eating in Normandy, you will see many of these cheeses on the menus, along with a dressed green salad. You can also find other French delicacies such as pork sausage, boudin noir and smoked herring.
For a truly authentic experience, consider staying at a farm-stay B&B. These rustic stone houses usually are family-owned and run and have been in the same family for years. They are the perfect way to soak up the local culture and food while experiencing a real taste of the land.
During your stay, don’t forget to visit the local farms where the fruits and vegetables come from. You can also go on a cider tour to explore the area and its many producers of hard apple cider.