In 1066, at the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror, then Duke of Normandy, seized England. This is how the Norman became King of England. Although he and his descendants were able to sit on the British throne, many conquerors tried to retake the island afterward, without ever succeeding.
To celebrate this feat, as well as the unbreakable ties that unite Normandy with England, the department of Calvados is organizing numerous events in honor of the Conqueror.
Reenactments to speak to adults and children
To do this, many reenactments are scheduled in the Calvados department. The festivities will take place mainly during the summer period. Let’s not forget that winter can be chilly there!
It was in this department, located in Normandy, that William was born. It was also from a beach in Calvados that he set off to cross the Channel to take England.
In his memory, we will find villages recreated to present the know-how of the Middle Ages to the younger generations. An opportunity to discover the different trades that existed at that time.
Calvados gastronomy
Since then, many things have changed, but one area has not changed, despite the years: gastronomy in Normandy. The apple is the star. Through tarts, compotes, but also cider or calvados, the apple is the typical fruit of Normandy.
We can also think of the cream, which is typical of Normandy or even the tripes à la mode de Caen, recognized throughout the world. Fish and seafood are also at the heart of many Norman recipes, as are beef and old vegetables. Calvados benefits from a location between the Sea and the Countryside which allows it to take advantage of the reserves of both the Land and the Sea.
Activities for families but also couples
Caen presents an architectural originality unique in France: The Castle of William the Conqueror built in 1060 and the University of Lower Normandy erected in 1957 during the post-war reconstruction, thus face each other in the very heart of the city, offering centuries of History and battles in a single panorama. The University will also celebrate its 60th spring in 2017. From the conquest of England to the Second World War,
architecture is a golden witness for those who appreciate History. The Caen Memorial also offers a rich and child-friendly tour of the duty of Remembrance.
Finally, note that CM1 students study the Middle Ages period and that visiting the archaeological sites of Calvados can allow them to put their knowledge into practice.
Couples, for their part, will certainly prefer to enjoy a romantic weekend in a Spa in the heart of Swiss Normandy or along the coast. The seaside resorts of Deauville and Cabourg are renowned for their romantic and romantic duo offers.
Let’s not forget that from the Cabourg Romantic Film Festival to the Deauville American Film Festival, Calvados is a welcoming land of cinema. Many films such as La Boum have also been shot there.
In another era, it was the author Marcel Proust who stayed at the Grand Hôtel de Cabourg. A place where some scenes from The Intouchables were later filmed. Calvados is undeniably a place full of culture and sea air. An ideal destination for a weekend or a stay, and located two hours from Paris.
