Normandy Then and Now

[normandythenandnow]

Curious (and slightly slimy) medieval embalming customs are revealed in our guest bloggers engrossing story on the death of Henry Beauclerc, Henry I of England, Duke of Normandy, after a surfeit of Lampreys in Lyons-la-Forêt

https://www.normandythenandnow.com/death-of-an-almost-perfect-king-at-lyons-la-foret-by-jamieson-b-hurry/

[normandythenandnow]

The early memories of artist Jean-François Millet would always be at the heart of his art. We explore his childhood in the Hameau de Gruchy in the Manche, Normandy.

https://www.normandythenandnow.com/memories-of-an-artist-at-the-edge-of-the-world-millet-in-gruchy/ #millet #fineart #childhood #history

[normandythenandnow]

Vintage lovers diary date for 2019... La Foire Des Andaines Brocante Walk Through The Forest, In May 2019! http://www.normandythenandnow.com/la-foire-des-andaines-brocante-walk-through-the-forest-in-may-2017/ #brocante #treasurehunt #fleamarket #normandy

[normandythenandnow]

The unquiet soul of Abbaye de Mortemer

The pale, glorious ruins of Abbaye de Mortemer stand in the ancient Forêt de Lyons, by the Fouillebroc river. Loved by kings and queens, hated by revolutionaries, tragedy scars these old stones.  Some memories live on, unwanted, awful, through the ghosts...

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-unquiet-soul-of-abbaye-de-mortemer/

[normandythenandnow]

Happy New Year from Normandy! http://www.normandythenandnow.com/bonne-annee-and-a-look-ahead-to-2019-normandy/ … #Normandy #Normandie #bonneannee2019 #HappyNewYear2019

[normandythenandnow]

This week our postcard match reveals a tale of art and acrimony amongst the Asters, in Monet's garden. #NormandyThen #Normandy #Monet #Giverny

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-the-english-gardener-at-giverny/

[normandythenandnow]

The man in the Roche d’Oëtre

The view from la Roche d'Oëtre is one of the best in Normandy. Standing on this ancient mountain you may not realise that just a few feet below you is the Chambre aux fées, Fairy’s Cave. Here in 1789 as revolution swirled around France a rather unpleasant noble hid in terror…

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-man-in-the-roche-doetre

[normandythenandnow]

Today this chateau is in need of major renovation after a fire and abandonment.  Just a few walls, a tower and the ancient cellars remain.   So much history but so much work! Would it be worth it? Do you dream of a 'maison à rénover' house to renovate? We would love to hear of your plans, and if you have restored a place of your own, in Normandy.

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/ripe-for-renovation-a-chateau-in-the-eure/

[normandythenandnow]

Illustration from ‘Normandy’ published in 1905 with illustrations by Nico Jungman

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/beautiful-nico-jungman-illustrations-of-normandy-midweek-picture-post/

[normandythenandnow]

This week our postcard match took us deep into the Normandy countryside; a pretty walk alongside a rocky river to a silent pool surrounded by trees. Of course this magical place has a legend ...

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-legend-and-loveliness-of-la-fosse-arthour/

[normandythenandnow]

This week we are in the beautiful seaside town of Fécamp. Our hero arrived here a freshly qualified doctor full of new ideas more than one hundred years ago. He would find a unique way to help the people of this busy fishing port made ill by the 'detritus of decaying fish, putrefaction and foul smells ...'

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/dr-dufour-the-babies-hero-in-fecampe/

[normandythenandnow]

The thirstiest street in Normandy; a cheery tale of Caen bistros and bars - latest post! http://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-thirstiest-street-in-normandy/ #Normandy #Caen #Sante

[normandythenandnow]

Vintage train travel guide to Normandy 

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/explore-normandy-with-this-vintage-railways-leaflet/

[normandythenandnow]

Disappearing silver at the Devil’s Table, near Passais

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/disappearing-silver-at-the-devils-table-near-passais

A well preserved Neolithic long barrow known as 'the Devil's Table' near Passais in the Orne revealed some ancient, rather creaky, legends.

[normandythenandnow]

Today our story comes from the beautiful, wild seas around the Cotentin Peninsular. It begins in Barfleur, a quiet port now, but in the Midde Ages the main port for ships travelling from Normandy to England.

Long, long ago proud grandson of William the Conqueror, 17 year old William Ætheling was a veteran of medieval battles and a celebrity of his time. Tragically William's journey from Barfleur to England on the White Ship, Blanche-Nef, would change history forever.

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/no-ship-ever-brought-so-much-misery-to-england-from-barfleur

[normandythenandnow]

On D-Day eight men survived crash landings only to face the terrible war criminal of chateau de Grangues - he has never been found.

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-disappearing-war-criminal-of-chateau-de-grangues/

#NormandyThen #DDay #WarCrimes #WW2 #Normandy

[normandythenandnow]

This photo shows the Allies bombing the Andaines forest in Normandy on 25 June 1944, aiming to destroy hidden enemy fuel and munitions.  Scars can still be seen in the forest today as our photo match reveals.

http://www.normandythenandnow.com/ww2-photo-match-bombing-the-andaines-forest-in-1944/

#1944 #NormandyThen #WW2 #Normandy