A few of our recommended destinations in the area...

The “Epicerie Gosselin”, 27 rue de Verrue in Saint-Vaast-La Hougue, has been operated by the same family since 1889. It has the best “cave” in the area and carries an extensive range of rare and exotique food products. Of course, all the Norman products are there too!

“Les Viviers d’Utah-Beach”, in Utah-Beach (follow the road signs there). Call 02 33 42 40 07 and order a “plateau de fruits de mer” the day before. You will not find any fresher oysters, shrimps, mussels, clams and crabs in season and make sure you have small needles for the berlots and the bigorneaux!

Villedieu Les Poeles: A must for the serious gourmet. Ancient center of the copper industry and to this day a great place to buy copper cooking pots and pans. A little touristy, but well worth a visit to this quaint old town. Be sure to fill out the forms for obtaining a refund of the TVA tax on exported purchases.

Noron-la-Poterie: This village is famous for its beautiful salt-glaze ware and there are many shops there to discover. Nearby is Steve Forbes’castle, in Balleroy, which is opened to the public.

There is much cheese making around, from local farmer's cheese to factory production. The Syndicat d'Initiatives in Carentan can provide visit guides. The closest locations near La Porte Rouge are located in Sainte Marie du Mont (goat cheese) and in Isigny-sur-Mer (Camembert).

Needless to say that other great points of interest would be to visit all the D-Day Landing Beaches, Bayeux, Saint-Lo, Cherbourg, etc. When you drive to the Pointe du Hoc, note the beautiful old fortified farms along the road dating from the 16th Century. Also, many well hidden manoirs throughout the Cotentin!

Allow a full day visit to Mont-Saint-Michel, with a guide and be ready to meet lots, lots of people there! For the world’s most expensive (and reputedly the best) omelette, stop into La Mere Poulard Restaurant as you ascend the Mont.

There are no wineries in Normandy! But you will find instead the very best apple cider (cidre bouche), pear cider (poire - drink it cold in the afternoon, or as champagne, with a light desert), apple juice and the famous apple brandy (calvados). Every farmer in Normandy makes his own cider and don’t hesitate to ask Madame Touzard for some. The production of Calvados has been restricted over the years but a good place right in Auvers for sampling calvados is at the Herout Cidrerie.

If you have a passion for Antiques, Normandy is a heaven! You will find many, many brocantes and antiquaires in the small towns and along the roads. My favorite place is Mr. Corbet, just prior to arriving in Coutances - and after the little village of Monthuchon, you will see a sign, on the right side of the road. Leave the main road and take a very narrow country road for 1km or so. The warehouse building will be on your left. His hours are from 10:00AM until Noon and then from 2:00PM until 6:30PM. He is closed on Wednesdays and Sunday morning. Lots of small dishes for the kitchen and dining room, beautiful old clocks and armoires, chairs, and exquisite "little things"!

down the road...

In the same direction, after the city of Coutances, take the direction of the Mt St Michel and Granville. You will pass a little village of Orval along the road. After it continues on the main road, you will see a house on the right side with the sign Antiquites Brocante. This is where I have found the bathroom tables with their marble tops!

In Carentan, there are two antique stores well-worth your visit: one is located in the Rue du Chateau and the other one, Route de Cherbourg.

There are beautiful gardens to see in Avranches, Coutances(in the Center of Town) and Plantbessin, in Castillon - Tel: 02 31 92 56 03 with a beautiful collection of perenials.

Chef John Wilson has been offering culinary vacations in La Porte Rouge, every year, since 1995. Check his home page at: http://www.culinaryvacationsinc.com/france.htm . You might also want to read the January 1999 issue of Atlanta Homes & Life Styles Magazine which feature a great article - and pictures - of these cooking classes!