City guide and maps

Map of Cambremer

A picturesque village in Augeron, Cambremer is the starting point of the Cider Route, a 40 km tour that criss-crosses the Pays d’Auge from producer to producer. A festival of AOC (controlled designation of origin) and AOP (protected designation of origin) products is organised every year in May. It has a very rich built heritage of traditional half-timbered buildings, including a former coaching inn called Le Cadran. The Pays d’Auge Gardens will delight nature lovers with a vast array of plant displays on 3 hectares of rolling countryside. Foodies won’t want to miss a chance to visit the Huet Distillery, located right next to the gardens. There is a traditional market in the village on Sunday mornings, at Easter, Pentecost and in July and August.

Map of Lisieux

Lisieux may be known throughout the world today thanks to Sainte-Thérèse, but it has origins dating much further back. The capital of the Pays d’Auge is one of the oldest towns in Normandy. Take a leisurely stroll around the town centre where you will discover a rich civil and religious heritage.

Map of Livarot

Having specialised in metal production from antiquity until the 17th century, today Livarot is most famous for its cheese. This famous cheese, nicknamed the “colonel”, brought wealth and prosperity to the town during the first half of the 20th century. This speciality cheese is still a source of great interest today, and the secrets of making Pays d’Auge AOP (protected designation of origin) cheeses can be discovered at the Graindorge Cheese Dairy on a free tour that is well worth taking.  The countryside around Livarot also boasts a whole network of hiking trails for experienced walkers as well as paths for leisurely family walks. Amidst the green hedged farmland or “bocage”, discover manor houses, traditional wash-houses and churches typical of the region. The abundance of local produce is enough to make any hiker’s mouth water!

Map of Mézidon-Canon

Mézidon-Canon, between the Pays d’Auge and the Plain of Caen, is the westernmost gateway to the region. Canon Castle Gardens, awarded the prestigious Jardin Remarquable (“Remarkable Garden”) label, and the medieval Crèvecœur Castle are two of the area’s must-see tourist attractions, which will delight history buffs and lovers of fine art alike.  The Canon educational farm is also well worth a visit with the family: stroke the farm animals to your heart’s content on a one-hour-30-minute tour! A signposted trail full of surprises guides visitors around the enclosures, orchards and along the river. As well as the animals, the children can enjoy an adventure trail and a zip line, while the parents sample the farm’s organic products. In Mézidon-Canon there is also a concert hall, La Loco, which offers an annual programme of concerts and various shows.

Map of Moyaux

Visitors can’t help but be charmed by the heritage of this traditional village, with a population of around 1,200. Around the village square and the church with its crooked spire, admire a beautiful collection of half-timbered houses very typical of Pays d’Auge architecture.

Map of Orbec

Situated on the border of the departments of Eure and Orne, the small medieval town of Orbec (population approx. 2,500) has a well-preserved traditional heritage. Stroll through the town to see half-timbered houses and appreciate the quality and variety of Norman products in the local shops. Take one of the numerous hiking trails starting from Orbec and discover the region with all its highlights: manor houses, stud farms, small country churches, wash-houses, and more!

Map of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives

With its abbey church, monastic buildings and medieval market hall, this town with a population of 3,700 boasts a rich architectural heritage at its very heart. The town is particularly lively on Monday mornings with its traditional market, one of the most famous in the region.

Romantic getaways in Normandy

Couples’ weekends in Authentic Normandy

Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend, a stay in a high-end hotel combining trendy décor and quality cuisine, or to spend the night somewhere out of the ordinary, Authentic Normandy has all of this to offer and more. A cosy hotel in the town centre, a bed & breakfast in the countryside, an elegant farmhouse, a gypsy caravan, a safari tent where you can watch wild animals, or even a tree house… There really is something for everyone. Stroll hand in hand through a beautiful garden before sitting down to a romantic dinner. No romantic getaway is complete without a little pampering. Most hotels now offer an extensive selection of spas and relaxation areas, even if they are not spa hotels.

Fishing weekend in Normandy

Are you going to take the bait?

Beginner or fly-fishing pro, solo, as a couple or with friends, Normandy is a great place to fish for sea trout. Just two hours from Paris, meet on the banks of the Touques. For keen anglers, this river is among the best in Europe. Whether you’re an expert or just curious about this therapeutic pastime, Gaël Even takes anglers fishing for the weekend. A true specialist, Lisieux fishing guide Gaël has been crowned French Champion several times and medallist three times at the World Championships. Grab your tackle and get hooked!

Weekend as a family among the animals in Normandy

Your kids will love it!

Head to Authentic Normandy to experience an unforgettable weekend as a family among the animals. Spend the first day getting to know the farm animals. Pigs, chickens, goats… Canon’s educational farm and the Tuilerie farm are ideal places to meet them. You can even stroke them! After a busy morning, sample some delicious local produce at lunch. This first day ends with a dinner at the zoo and a night among the animals. Absolutely magical. The next day, visit Cerza Zoo, the largest zoological gardens in Normandy, where more than 1,500 animals are just waiting to be discovered. You’ll even have the chance to join the team and become a zoo keeper for the day! In short, a full weekend spent up close and personal with our animal friends.

24 hours around Saint-Pierre

Experience a typical Monday in Normandy

Spend 24 hours soaking up the atmosphere in Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives. Famous throughout the region for its ancient abbey and medieval market hall, the town is also known for the bustling market held there every Monday. Basket in hand, set off early in the morning to discover authentic Normandy produce. With the abundance of traditional regional cuisine, you’re sure to find something tasty for lunch!  In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely stroll around one of the most beautiful gardens in Normandy: Canon Castle Gardens. For the perfect end to the perfect day, spend the night at an exceptional bed & breakfast: a “zen getaway” at the Presbytère de Saint-Loup-de-Fribois complete with swimming pool and beauty treatments or a “peaceful stay” at the Villa des Tilleuls in Cambremer.

A day in the Pays d’Auge

Experience the riches of Authentic Normandy in 24 hours

This unforgettable day in the Pays d’Auge begins with a tour of the Graindorge Cheese Dairy in Livarot to learn all about our famous Normandy cheeses. This is followed by a visit to Coupesarte Manor, one of the most beautiful half-timbered manor houses in the region. After sampling the local cuisine at lunch in Lisieux, enjoy a tour of the capital of the Pays d’Auge and its most famous monument: the Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse. Round off the day back in the countryside with a visit to Le Lieu Chéri, a cidery/distillery in Ouilly-le-Vicomte. Enjoy your day in Authentic Normandy!

Five days of authentic discoveries

A cocktail of ideas for outings over the course of a week

Spending the week in Normandy? Why not try this five-day programme of authentic discoveries? Stroll through the markets, meet the donkeys, visit towns such as Orbec and Lisieux, take a trip to the banks of the Seine at Fécamp and Etretat, discover the region’s must-see castles and monuments, visit cheese dairies and cideries/distilleries, dine in the finest restaurants, stay in top-of-the-range accommodation… Enjoy the very best of Normandy for an unforgettable holiday!

Tourist map of the Seine Estuary Metropolitan Centre

The Communauté d’Agglomération Lisieux Normandie (greater administrative district council) is part of the Seine Estuary Metropolitan Centre. Heritage, nature, leisure activities, local flavours… This tourist map shows all the must-see attractions for your stay in Normandy, on both sides of the Seine.