Unspoilt ‘French Cotswolds’ holiday region with world-famous cider and cheese that can be reached without flying
A PICTURESQUE French holiday region, that can be reached without a plane from the UK, has remained relatively undiscovered by Brits, despite its world-famous booze, cheese and countryside.
The region of Orne in Normandy, France, has been compared to the Cotswolds, due to its peaceful nature and surroundings, described as “unspoilt” by Choose Normandy.
It’s a favourite place to go on holiday for the locals, who flock there for long weekends, exploring its many quaint villages, like Belleme, Mortagne-au-Perche and, of course, Camembert.
The latter is the home of the popular soft cheese, which is made throughout its many farmyards, after it was invented there during the French revolution by a a farmer’s wife, called Marie Harel.
Normandy Tourism describe it as a village that “ticks all the boxes” for tourists with its fruit, its warm weather and its many culinary offerings.
They said: “The village of Camembert ticks all the boxes. The pastures where contented cows may ruminate upon their lot, the apple orchards in blossom or in fruit, the soft, dappled light and mild climate.
“If you can tear yourself away, head off and explore all the surrounding countryside has to offer, its hidden valleys, beautiful churches and its delicious beef and chicken dishes, served with lashings of butter and cream-based sauces.”
Away from cheese and other popular French dishes, they also recommend trying the local alcohol, which surprisingly isn’t wine.
Instead, the people of Orne are known to brew both apple and pear cider, as one might expect to find in parts of the Cotswolds, providing further reason for the comparison.
One of the most popular producers in the region is Bagnoles de Pom, who happily take visitors for tours around their orchard, while letting them sample their products too.
Choose Normandy even claim that one of its local producers was rated the best cider in the world only last year.
They said: “Normandy has never shone so brightly in the cider world.
“Le Pressoir d’Or make a wide variety of cider such as brut, extra brut, ice, rosé, dry and medium-dry that often win prizes.”
Those ciders, along with the camembert, can be found in many of the small markets laid on throughout the Orne region, with food, antiques and of course booze all up for grabs.
Such retail opportunities were among the many things that France Today raved about following their visit to the region, as well how much it appeared to fly under the radar.
They wrote: “At weekly farmers’ markets locals gather to exchange home-grown provisions as well as the latest gossip.
Everything you need to know about visiting France
- Brits need to have a passport with at least three months left on it.
- No visas are needed for anyone staying up to 90 days within an 180-day period but you need to make sure your passport is stamped on entry and exit.
- You may also need to show proof of accommodation and funds, around €120 a day.
- The country uses the euro with with around €10 working out to £8.55.
- France is one hour ahead of the UK
- Direct flights to France from the UK take between 1-4 hours depending on the destination
- Or you can travel by train with Eurostar, with destinations including Paris or Lille.
“On sale is delicious AOC cider and perry, camembert, goat’s cheese, black pudding and all manner of seasonal fruit and vegetables.”
Despite its obvious appeal, the area still manages to fly under the radar, with i labelling it an “area popular with Parisians for a weekend break. Yet it’s little discovered among British tourists“.
It’s difficult to understand why, with its charming villages, markets and tasty treats all reachable without the need of a flight.
Brits can easily get across to Normandy by Ferry, from where Orne is just a short drive away.
What’s more, a night in the region for two can be booked from around £32, while camping options start much lower at around £8.
Given that it’s such an easy-to-reach destination, and with cider and cheese made fresh in the villages nearby, it’s strange that it’s not popular beyond the local borders.
Meanwhile, this is the “secret” French town Brits are planning to visit this summer.
And this French holiday village inspired a Disney film.