9781422269787

Northwest and Paris CHAPTER

The Northwestern part of France is made up of several distinct regions, each with its own unique identity. They include Normandie, Île-de-France (home to Paris), Centre-Val de Loire, Pays de la Loire, and Bretagne. Coastal Countryside One of the most significant regions in the northwest is Normandy, which is divided between Basse-Normandie (Lower Normandy) to the west and Haute-Normandie (Upper Normandy) to the east. Together, they sit between the English Channel to the north and Paris to the south. Basse-Normandie is known for its beaches, cliffs, and port cities, such as Caen and Bayeux. The coastline is characterized by a series of bays and estuaries, and is home to the D-Day landing beaches, which played a significant role in World War II. Outside of its attention-grabbing cliffs, Basse-Normandie is mostly rural, with rolling hills and pastures. The Pays d’Auge is an area of outstanding beauty, with its typical half-timbered houses, apple orchards and stud farms.

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