La Manche, situated in Basse-Normandy, at the western tip, is ideal for those keen to avoid a drastic change in lifestyle when moving to France due to its similarities to the UK; a temperate climate, green countryside, and a long history entwined with England, as well as being a reassuringly short distance. Furthermore, there are a variety of houses and cottages set in agricultural and urbanised land as well as along the coast, all of which pertain to the beauty of the area. The varied landscape of Normandy primarily seduced French artists (the Impressionists) in the C19th. These artists: Monet, Pissaro, Sickert, Morisot and Noel, led by Eugène Boudin, became particularly obsessed with the coastline and went on to produce work that in turn seduced tourists into visiting; Parisians in particular, so that the region eventually become known as the ‘Parisian's Playground,' full of glamorous French socialites such as Emperor Napoleon III, Alexandre Dumas, Henry James and Marcel Proust. These visitors then imported the English fashion of sea bathing from Brighton and elegant, exclusive beach resorts and casinos sprung-up in response to this; many of which are still around today (Deauville and Trouville) and continue to attract tourists. Villers-sur-Mer by Gustave Caillebotte and The Cliff Walk by Charles Monet are among the works of the Impressionist movement and do indeed do justice to the region's vibrant colors, surpassing beauty and 400 miles of stunning coastline, which in Basse-Normandy is joined by green pastures, clear steams, woodland valleys and charming orchards.
Unfortunately such beauty has not merely been subjugated to the hands of passionate artists waving paintbrushes. Over the years, numerous battles and invasions have managed to use it harshly. In the 9th century, Normandy was subject to several assaults from Scandinavian Viking pirates, in 1066 William the Conqueror famously fought there as part of his mission to claim the English throne, during the Hundred Years' War, Normandy changed hands several times, with England ruling the region until France finally won it back in 1450, in the C16th the Catholics and Huguenots fought it out as Normandy was a Protestant stronghold, then in 1944, the beaches were used for the country's greatest and most haunting war. On June 4th 1944, commonly known as D-day, 45,000 allied troops landed on the beaches near Bayeux and fighting took place that ravaged much of Normandy as well as killing thousands.
Today, beauty has been restored, reflecting the paintings as before, along with war memorials, museums and cemetries that poignantly remember those that died to bring back such peace. The American Military Cemetary for example, is situated on a cliff overlooking Omaha beach and has 9,385 perfectly aligned crosses and stars. Half-timbered farmhouses, Gothic churches and Romanesque buildings are also mixed with post-war structures, while rolling fields provide plentiful pasture for dairy cattle used to make the famous butters, creams and cheeses of this region and orchards are back in abundance, growing apples which are then picked in September, pressed and put into barrels (sometimes with extra sugar for more alcohol!) in order to create cider; the most popular drink in Normandy. Crepes are often eaten with cider as well as Calvados (apple brandy), which is made from distilling cider and referred to as ‘le trou nourmand' because it is usually served between courses to revive appetites. Normandy is also now a chief oyster-cultivating and scallop-exporting region.
The Normandy property market is active as a result of such tradition, beauty and redevelopment. Prices are not cheap but they are reasonable at least, especially those more inland, while those with seaviews are well worth the extra amount and are nowhere near as expensive as other French coastal areas.
Three typical towns of Basse-Normandy are Avranches, Carentan and La Haye du Puits. Avranches is situated in southern Basse-Normandy and is best accessed by St Malo ferryport and Dinard airport both of which are one hour away. Carentan and La Haye du Puits are in northern Basse-Normandy and 40 minutes from Cherbourg ferryport.
Avranches is a historic, bayside, market town named after the ‘Abricantes,' a Celtic tribe that settled there at the end of the Roman period and animated its culture. Development further continued when the Norman dukes took over in 933 and Avranches went on to enjoy considerable prosperity which it still enjoys today. St Aubert, for example, one of the thousands of bishops to be known in the town, founded the Mont St Michel sanctuary, which is now the west's most famous place of pilgrimage. A former Benedictine Abbey set upon an island with a golden archangel creating a stunning silhouette; it has millions of visitors every year. Market day is every Saturday, there is a medieval quarter filled with shops and restaurants, ancient manuscripts from the Middle-Ages and distinct architecture includes the octagonal tower of Palais Episcopal, the Saint Gervais church containing the famous skull of Saint-Aubert and the C19th Notre Dames des Champs Gothic cathedral. Popular activities meanwhile, include: water sports, tennis, horseriding, cycling, golf at Baie de Mont Saint Michel and picnics at Jardin des Plantes, which, with over 70,000 different types of plants and trees as well as charming views across the bay, has been a place of inspiration for writers such as Guy de Maupassant. Near Avranches, you can find a cosy, 1-bedroom, stone country house with a 300m2 courtyard is for sale for 71,000 euros (ref: 2999), for slightly more, a detached house with an 1800m2 garden can be bought for 135,000 euros (ref: 3072) and for 150,000 euros, a renovated house can be found, one situated in a small hamlet with a 1600m2 woodland garden is currently for sale at this price (ref: 3471).
Carentan, so called in Celtic because it developed through the' settlement of the dwellers on the high ground,' is surrounded by marshes and canals and makes up the centre of a cattle-rearing area, thus is full of farmers and dealers every Monday who come together under the covered market to discuss their produce. The surrounding marshland has now become the Cotentin and Bessin Marshes Country Park; a protected nature reserve due to its diverse flora, which lends to the name of the whole area: the Côte Fleurie. Sights in the town include an C11th Notre Dame church with panoramic views, a C15th Gothic church, a C17th town hall fronted by an C18th fountain, a canal bridge and Dead Man's Corner Museum which is dedicated to the 101st Ariborne Division's Liberation of Carentan in WWII. Near Carentan, you can find a charming, 3-bedroom, detached house with a garden and close to the sea is currently for sale for 201,000 euros (ref: 2834) and those with a much higher budget can view a large stone house set in 33 acres with a lake and 2 gites for sale for 785,000 euros (ref: 3345).
La Haye du Puits was half destroyed by WWII but patient reconstructions have returned it to its former charms and now it centres on a lovely chateau and its keep, with Wednesdays being the main market day. There is also a WWII memorial for the 79th US infantry division, a C19th church, a public garden ideal for picnics and the town plays a part in the tradition of horse-riding and horse-breeding that started in the C17th when the King's Minister: Colbert, introduced the idea of ‘Royal Stud farms' because he believed horse-breeding to be a reflection of national wealth. There is a green lane (La Voie Verte) which is specially for horse-riding, as well as hiking and cycling and there are numerous local horse races. Near La Haye du Puits, you can find a 3-bedroom, stone country house with a 1330m2 garden is for sale for 196,000 euros (ref: 2837), a former presbytery set in 1 acre of woodland is for sale for 242,650 euros (ref: 3171) and a 3-bedroom, renovated stone house set in 0.5 acres with a well, an orchard and a vegetable patch is for sale for 295,400 euros (ref: 2059).
Normandy, a region that has provided inspiration for countless artists and writers, will no doubt inspire house-hunters, especially those who love the countryside and the sea. Close to England and well served by sea, road and rail, it is ideally placed to enjoy the best of both countries; have your cake and eat it so to speak.
Lovely Normandy
