The tidal island of Mont St-Michel is topped by a church

A region in northen France, Normandy is characterised by rolling farmland, the meandering Seine river and miles of beaches stretching along the English Channel, punctuated by granite and limestone cliffs.

Many visitors come to Normandy specifically to visit the D-Day landing sites at the seaside town of Arromanches and at Omaha and Juno beaches, as well as to pay their respects at the American Military Cemetery, the final resting place for 9,386 American soldiers.

Minus its obvious historical draws, Normandy is an alluring destination, with long empty beaches and bucolic countryside studded with Normanesque cathedrals and medieval forts, built to defend France from the English centuries ago. Many pilgrims flock to the spectacular Mont St-Michel, a rocky tidal island linked to the mainland by a causeway and topped by a church.

Drawn by the light and its accessibility from Paris, the region was once a popular hangout for impressionist painters. A visit to Monet's waterlily garden at Giverny is a must for any art-lover.

One of the highlights of any vacation in Normandy is the food. The region is the home of brioches and cheeses such as Camembert, Pont l'Eveque and Boursin. Apples flourish in Normandy and are made into the delicious apple tarts and brandy, Calvados. The seafood here is also second to none and the oysters in particular are some of the best in the world.

Normandy's major centres include Le Harve, Cherbourg, Caen and Rouen. Normandy is accessible from Paris by train. It is also accessible from Britain by ferry or car.