Angers is the historical capital of Anjou and was for centuries an important stronghold in north-western France. It is the cradle of the Plantagenêt dynasty and during the reign of René of Anjou it was one of the intellectual centres of Europe. Angers, a city of 150,000 people, enjoys a rich cultural life, made possible by its universities and museums. The old medieval centre is still dominated by the massive château, home of the Plantagenêt dynasty. It also houses the Apocalypse Tapestry, the biggest medieval tapestry ensemble in the world. It is 101 metres long, dates back to the late 14th century and illustrates the Book of Revelations. Angers is also the home of the world-famous orange liqueur, Cointreau.

The anchor-shaped Crozon Peninsula is one of the most scenic parts of Brittany. Its wild coastal scenery and the protected, and fascinatingly diverse, environment a wide range of animals and plants draw people to Crozon, and the feeling to be really, really far away from everything. There are several sections of dramatic cliff coastline where you have very good views down the cliffs to the sea beyond. There are beautiful beaches, some of them surprisingly sheltered, but to go swimming you gotta be tough.

Walking through the cobbled streets of St Malo’s old town feels like you’ve stepped back in time. This popular tourist destination and busy ferry port offers you an authentic glimpse into Brittany’s important seafaring past. Watch out, there could be pirates around any corner!
St Malo has several districts, the most popular being intra muros or ‘inside the walls’. The tall granite buildings, most of which were restored after being bombed during WWII, house an inter-esting mix of cosy cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and shops by the dozen. Take a tour on the little train to get your bearings or enjoy a bracing walk around the ramparts. The Musée de la Ville tells you all you need to know about the town’s history and includes some fascinating maritime objects like the prow of a ship.

Dinan is without doubt one of the most attractive and best preserved small towns in Brittany. With its 1.8 mile (3km)-long ramparts, half-timbered houses, attractive port and cobbled streets filled with art galleries and craft shops, it’s worth a day of anyone’s time. Dinan’s old town is a warren of narrow streets where it appears that time has stood still. The quaintest part is Place des Merciers where you’ll find the best examples of the town’s half-timbered houses; just opposite is the pedestrianised Rue de la Cordonnerie, also known as ‘thirsty street’ as it has nine bars.To get your bearings, climb the 158 steps to the top of the 40m (132ft)-high Tour de l’Horloge for wonderful views over Dinan and the surrounding area – you can see as far as Mont St Michel on a clear day. Nearby Place du Guesclin is the site of the Thursday-morning market.

In the year 708 a vision of the Archangel Michael prompted Bishop Aubert d’Avranches to build a chapel on the summit of an island off Normandy’s coast. From the late 10th century on the Benedictines turned it into a fortified abbey that was besieged several times during the Hundred Year’s War, but never taken. Today the ensemble of slender towers and tall turrets is one of France’s most iconic images, adorns one out of two covers of books about France and attracts millions of visitors each year, but nevertheless it can instantly take you back to the Middle Ages!

June 6, 1944: D-Day. Within one hour 175,000 soldiers and 20,000 vehicles land on the coast of Normandy, making “Operation Overlord” the largest military operation in history. The Battle of Normandy raged on for 76 days, claimed 500,000 lives and caused widespread destruction. Some cities, like Le Havre, were completely wiped out. It was the beginning of the liberation of Europe, a year later World War II was over.
Today the 80 km of beaches north of Bayeux are a huge open air museum, full of exhibitions, cemeteries, memorials, museums and relics from the war. “Battlefield Tourism” is an important source of income for this part of the country.

Many people consider Honfleur to be Normandy’s most beautiful seaside town. Unlike neighbouring Le Havre it didn’t get destroyed during WWII, so the Old Port, built in the mid-17th century, is as picturesque as ever. Famous artists like Boudin, Cézanne and Renoir liked it too and lived here for a while, back in the 19th century.

With its elegant spires, beautifully restored medieval quarter and soaring Gothic cathedral – undoubtedly one of the most stunning in northern France – the ancient city of Rouen is one of Normandy’s highlights. Founded on the Roman city of Rotomagus, Rouen has had a turbulent history – the city was devastated several times during the Middle Ages by fire and plague, and was later occupied by the English during the Hundred Years’ War. The young French heroine Joan of Arc (Jeanne d’Arc) was tried for heresy and burned at the stake in the central square in 1431. More recently, devastating bombing raids during WWII laid waste to much of the city, especially in the streets south of the cathedral, but in the last 60 years the city has been lavishly restored, and the medieval quarter is filled with half-timbered houses and punch-drunk, polished-up buildings. (L.P.)