Normandy, Region in northern France.
Normandy is a region in northern France that spans five departments along the English Channel. White chalk cliffs alternate with sandy beaches, while fertile valleys and rolling hills shape the inland landscape.
Norwegian leader Rollo received the territory in 911 through the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte from West Frankish King Charles the Simple. His descendants later conquered England and southern Italy, creating a far-reaching Norman presence across Europe.
In villages, some locals still speak Norman, a dialect rooted in the language of the Vikings. Farms produce cheeses like Camembert and Livarot, while apple orchards provide the base for cider and Calvados.
Trains from Paris reach Rouen in just over an hour and Caen in about two hours. Coastal towns and inland villages connect through a dense network of country roads suitable for circular drives.
The Seine River forms deep loops through the territory, creating natural harbors like Honfleur and Rouen. These bends enabled maritime trade for centuries and the connection to the Atlantic coast.
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