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Paris and Normandy and of course Christmas Markets!

Posted by (Pittsburgh PA) on

Traveling to Normandy with my sister and 2 others. Sister and I (70 and 64 pretty seasoned travelers) cousin (70 no international exp) and friend (70 hasn't traveled internationally for over 20 years). Normandy is the main reason for the trip (I've been) but Sister and I can't give up Christmas Markets! But I know this group can't handle a train and new city every 2-3 days. Although its tempting to try to add Germany, Belgium or the Alsace region (Love, love those markets!), I'm committed to limiting this trip to having a home base in Normandy and then in Paris (I guess).
I never plan a trip without asking this group for advice and information and you've always come through.

So, Im looking for ideas on interesting Christmas Markets in the Normandy area - we will probably stay in Bayeaux but that's not set yet. Easy day trips by train from there and then from Paris would be key. Sister and I have been to the markets at Jardins des Tuileries and it was delightful. Time limit isn't set yet but thinking 3-4 days in Normandy and 5-6 in Paris. Open to any and all suggestions. Not finding a lot of youtube videos on markets in Normandy area so of course coming to this group for insight and experiences.

Thanks in advance!

malinda

Posted by
8063 posts

You probably have a Christmas market in Pittsburg as good as any you will find in Normandy. There may be one; it will be full of bad food and overpriced cheese and Chinese tat. Your odds of a fun Christmas market experience will be in Paris. There is a big one in the Tuilleries.

Posted by
143 posts

I can’t help thinking this trip would be a disappointment for everyone.
The weather in Normandy would be dreary. The Christmas Markets in Paris can’t compete with Alsace or Germany. The big one in Tuileries is mostly carnival rides and some food. There was one across the river from Norte Dame and a small one on Saint Germaine, but nothing special about them.

Posted by
272 posts

To provide a bit of relief from the rather dour initial responses, I would like to mention that there are some Christmas markets in Normandie. I would suggest you consult the Normandie Tourisme website for those, and for their timing.

As for suggestions such as this:

You probably have a Christmas market in Pittsburg as good as any you
will find in Normandy. There may be one; it will be full of bad food
and overpriced cheese and Chinese tat.

I would have to say that kind of opinion arises more from assumption than from direct experience.

Christmas markets vary in their characteristics and different markets appeal to different people depending on their interests. I know there are markets in Caen, Lisieux, Bayeux, as well as other places. But I'll focus on one I've visited in Hambye in La Manche over the past few years. It's small, no doubt about it. Probably 30 or so vendors scattered around various locations at the venue.

But what a venue. It's a ruined abbaye in an incredibly bucolic setting with an auberge next door serving top-notch Norman food. Search for l'Abbaye d'Hambye for photos and imagine yourself walking through the grounds in the early dark of a northern France evening lit by candles and strings of lights. You'll find vendors, but none of them will have bad food, overpriced cheese, or Chinese "tat," (whatever that is). Instead you'll find the products of local brewers, cider and calvados makers, artisans who make pottery and who create innovative lampshades, candle makers, lace makers, leather workers, and so on. None of them from China. None of them from very far away at all. It's not the best market I've visited. But it's not as has been described in other comments to this posting thus far. And it's in a beautiful setting.

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