De captivants à banals, les articles et photographies de “The Baguette” sont une tentative de publier un journal de ma vie dans la Manche et de proposer un forum de discussion pour tout ce qui touche à la Normandie.
I hope that everyone had a nice Christmas. I know that I certainly did ! I drove to the south of France to stay with friends in the Lot Department with whom I have spent the holidays with for the last ten years. The drive from Cherbourg went well enough...
While waiting for class to start at Maison Pour Tous, I found myself enjoying the cherry blossoms along Avenue de Normandie. It seemed no matter where I looked, I could find a little bit of Japan--the Shinto gate in Gâtinais park nearby evoked strong...
Samedi 11 et dimanche 12 décembre 2010 Boulangerie Le Filateur – Joseph HAMEL à Saint-Maurice-en-Cotentin La Cidrerie-Distillerie Théo CAPELLE à Sotteville Les foies gras normands – Elevage de la Fraserie (Les fermiers des becs) – Alain LANGLOIS à St-Martin-Le-Hebert...
Valençay is actually in the Berry region but it can be included with those of the Loire Valley because of its period of its construction and its huge size, in which it resembles Chambord. Valençay was built in 1540 by Jacques d’Estampes. He had married...
This is what the Transatlantic Station in Cherbourg used to look like before World War II. Those damn Nazis destroyed much of what once used to be beautiful. Fortunately, the building has been restored although I guess none of us will ever get to see...
Armistice Day is a national holiday in France and Belgium. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the...
Cette chapelle ancienne est visible de la route, au passage du village de la Rivière en allant vers Urville. Couverte en lose et blottie en bas de la cavée, au pied de ses grands pins , elle garde l’humilité des petits sanctuaires locaux imprégnés de...
In 1145, the Empress Matilda (1102-1167), daughter of Henry I of England and granddaughter of William the Conqueror, asked for an abbey dedicated to the Virgin to be built here. Legend has it that, she was traveling from England to France when her ship...
Nothing is more sure than that all of us are born to die. We have to face death first quite often, when it strikes our loved ones, and finally when we ourselves are involved. We have to leave everything behind us. We may try not to think of it. Some consider...
September 18 and 19 was the 27th Journées européennes du patrimoine (European Heritage Days) and the theme this year was “Great Men and Women Who Helped Make History”. Places that are not usually open to the public are open during these two days. Many...
The cold front moving across Europe has come to an end leaving snow and icy roads in its wake. Yesterday, the snow was at its most glorious with more than 45cm blanketing many towns throughout La Manche. I took advantage of this rare occurrence and snapped...
The Château de Tocqueville was originally a manor house constructed over three different periods during the 16th, 18th and 19th centuries. While retaining its smooth appearance, the architectural diversity gives the château its particular charm. It is...
This year commemorates the 66th year since the Normandy Landings on the 6th of June 1944, D-Day. Thousands of men and women gave their lives in the liberation of Northern France. Their graves are the permanent and visible symbol of their heroic devotion...
La voie de la Liberté est une voie commémorant la victoire des Alliés et la libération de la France, de la Belgique et du Luxembourg pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Elle est matérialisée par une série de bornes kilométriques le long du réseau routier...
Reading about Bagnoles-de-l’Orne in the Michelin Green Guide did NOT inspire me to want to visit. I was disappointed in the book’s description of the town and I thought that there would be very little to see and do. I expressed this feeling to my father...
A new monument entitled La Traversée or “The Crossing” was installed in Équeurdreville Tuesday, September 21, along the waterfront of La Saline. The giant metal curtain which twists like a sail has inscribed dozens of anonymous messages relating to the...
The small village of Catz is located just a few kilometers east of Carentan. The best way to explore Catz is to ride your bicycle along the old farm roads and paths of the “Parc naturel régional des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin.” By taking this route,...
On Saturday and Sunday, the Cherbourg Botanical Society held its fourth edition of “Presqu’île en fleurs” at the Château des Ravalet in Tourlaville. This year’s theme was Renaissance Roses although the 14 hectare park was teeming with many other flowers...
In France, the feast of Epiphany fell on January 3rd this year. In most other countries it is celebrated on January 6th, unless one belongs to an Eastern Orthodox faith—then it may be celebrated as late as January 19th. The feast primarily commemorates...
(Aquarelle : composition libre de François Callu, inspirée de l’architecture de différentes abbayes normandes.) 1 – La porterie (Gatekeeper’s Lodge) 2 – L’église abbatiale (Abbey Church) 3 – Le cloître (Cloisters) 4 – Le jardin du cloître et le puits...
Étretat, now an elegant resort, has always had a great reputation because of the originality of its setting. The grandeur of the high cliffs and the crashing waves is unforgettable whatever the season. It is no wonder that the town has inspired many writers,...
La chapelle Saint-Germain is located atop a hill, 600 meters from the shore of Querqueville, overlooking the sea. Since 1856 it has been listed as a Historic Monument due to its early-Christian elements that make it one of the earliest surviving Christian...
Just like every other town of note that I have visited during my time in France, Alençon also claims to be one of the principle lace-making cities in Europe. Well, this may be true but once you’ve seen lace-making in one town, like me, you’ve seen enough...
I recently came across some old postcards of Querqueville at the braderie in Cherbourg, Saturday July 2nd. I thought it would be unique to show some past and present photos so we can compare the changes that have occurred over time. It's amazing how much...
This picture has nothing to do with my ranting down below. It's just a nice photo I took in Tourlaville last spring of a boat sinking into the pond. Can you believe it? The weather in most parts of Norhtern Europe has taken a turn for the worse and many...
