Gourmet trip to Normandy: insider tips, sights & delicacies

In 2022 we spent our honeymoon in Normandy and mainly visited the famous highlights such as Étretat and Mont Saint Michel. This time I was able to explore the hidden but no less fascinating "pearls of Normandy" with Logis Hotels.
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Romantic round trip from Paris to Normandy

In 2022 we spent our honeymoon in Normandy and mainly visited the famous highlights such as Étretat and Mont Saint Michel. This time I was able to explore the hidden but no less fascinating "pearls of Normandy" with Logis Hotels. One or two surprises also awaited me on this trip. Since there is so much to discover in Normandy, we are starting a new series of articles on the most beautiful sights, many insider tips and delicacies of Normandy. Bonne lecture!

From Paris to Normandy

The most exciting stories begin in Paris - and so does ours. Our journey to Normandy began in Paris. Just two hours from the city of love, Normandy unfolds a unique, romantic landscape. Here, rugged coastlines and endless meadows merge with picturesque villages and historic towns. It is a region full of contrasts that not only fascinates with its impressive history, but also seduces with culinary treasures such as Camembert, Calvados and, of course, freshly caught oysters. From the landing beaches of the Second World War to the places that have inspired numerous artists - Normandy tells stories that sometimes astonish, sometimes deeply touch, but always arouse curiosity. The rugged cliffs of Étretat, the peaceful seclusion of the Mont-Saint-Michel monastery or the charming alleys of Honfleur - each place has its own magic.

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Logis Hotels – Culinary delights and French hospitality

If there is one hotel chain in France that stands for authentic experiences and excellent cuisine, it is Logis Hotels. With a strong gastronomic focus, this group has also distinguished itself internationally since its foundation in 1947. What once began in the French Auvergne as an association of hoteliers and tourism associations is now a network of around 2.400 hotels and restaurants - mostly family-run establishments, which are represented primarily in France, Canada, French Guiana and now also in many other European cities such as Germany, Andorra, Belgium, Spain, Italy and Luxembourg.

Gourmet trip to Normandy: insider tips, sights & delicacies

But what makes Logis hotels so special? It's obvious: the cuisine! It's not just about a bed for the night, but about culinary journeys for the senses. Almost every Logis hotel has a restaurant that impresses with regional specialties, fresh ingredients and traditional cooking. It's no coincidence that connoisseurs often like to spend more time at the dining table than in their hotel room.

A walk in Rouen

A special city highlight in the Logis portfolio is undoubtedly Rouen, the enchanting capital of Normandy. Historically and culinary as fascinating as it is picturesque, the city is a true treasure trove for explorers. Its cityscape is characterized by over 2.000 well-preserved half-timbered houses. In 1431, Joan of Arc was publicly burned at the stake on Rouen's market square - an event whose reverberations still shape the city centuries later. In her honor, the Église Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc stands here, its curved roofs symbolically reminiscent of the flames of the pyre. Inside, there are fascinating artistic stained glass windows from the Renaissance that once adorned the Saint-Vincent church, which was destroyed in 1944.

Gourmet trip to Normandy: insider tips, sights & delicacies
Normandy insider tips and sights
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Rouen, Normandy

city ​​of a hundred church towers

Rouen is often referred to as the "city of a hundred spires", a nickname given to the city by the French writer Victor Hugo. In his work, he raved about the extraordinary number of churches and cathedrals that shape the city's skyline. A stroll through the streets of Rouen takes us to the famous Gros-Horloge clock tower, a symbol of the city. Just a short walk away, the Notre-Dame de Rouen Cathedral rises with its majestic façade, once immortalized by none other than Monet in his famous series of paintings.

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The oldest restaurant in France

The restaurant La Couronne is considered to be the oldest inn in France. Originally founded as an inn in 1341, it has developed over the centuries into one of the most famous restaurants in the country. According to legend, the later owner Raoul Baudry even watched the execution of Joan of Arc from his window. La Couronne became internationally famous thanks to the American chef Julia Child, who tried her first French dish here in 1948. This moment is said to have impressed her so much that it was the trigger for her later career as a great ambassador for French cuisine.

Accommodation Tip in Rouen

The Logis Hotel Relais de Montigny is a cozy, family-run hotel in the heart of the Roumare forest, just a few minutes from the historic center. Nestled in the idyllic natural park of the Normandy Seine loops, it offers the ideal place to relax after a day of exploring. The highlight? A delicious dinner prepared by the talented chef Bénédicte Coignard, who, together with her team, masterfully conjures up regional ingredients on the plate.
Whether a romantic evening in a restaurant, a walk through the enchanting Monumental Forest or a trip into Rouen's eventful history - there is a lot to discover and experience in the region.

Enjoyment in Normandy

On the Trail of Light in Le Havre

Le Havre - a city that offers much more than its reputation as a concrete metropolis initially suggests. The largest city in Normandy surprises with exciting contrasts between modern urban development, historical flair and cultural significance. After the severe destruction in the Second World War, Le Havre was transformed into a modern metropolis under the direction of the visionary architect Auguste Perret. The city center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005.

Anyone who goes on a discovery tour in Le Havre will be rewarded with some surprising sights. A particular highlight is the Église Saint-Joseph, which stands out from the cityscape like a futuristic lighthouse. The 107-meter-high lantern tower, lined with 12.768 colorful glass windows, is a unique architectural work of art. Almost threatening from the outside, there is a surprise hidden inside this striking construction. The spacious room shines in a bright play of colors. Accompanied by Gregorian chants and characterized by the dizzying height, the church seems almost surreal - like a modern interpretation of Noah's Ark, which at the same time reminds one of a spaceship or a quantum computer. I rarely get goosebumps in a place, but in the Église Saint-Joseph I couldn't stop being amazed.

Delicatessen tasting at the Hotel La Petite Rade

Art lovers will especially enjoy Le Havre. The city is inextricably linked to Claude Monet, who painted his famous work Impression, soleil levant in the harbor in 1872, giving an entire art movement its name. The light that fascinated him then has lost none of its magic to this day. We were able to enjoy this special coastal light from the very front row - in the Logis Hôtel La Petit Rade, just a few steps from the sea. The hotel combines a relaxed surfer atmosphere with an enjoyable journey through the diversity of Norman cuisine. The small snacks, which I lovingly called "Normandy Tapas", in front of the sea backdrop not only looked good enough to eat, but also tasted fantastic. With the delicious, locally produced Cidre Simon then it was “Santé!”

Normandy insider tips and sights

Around the World in a Day in the Hanging Gardens of Le Havre

Another highlight in Le Havre are the Hanging Gardens on the site of a former military fortress from the 19th century. Created as a tribute to the legendary hanging gardens of Semiramis, the greenhouses invite you on a botanical journey around the world. The botanical garden is divided into various thematic areas that present plants from all over the world - from Mediterranean to exotic plants. Outside, there is an impressive panoramic view of the city and the harbor.