Eat &amp; Drink

Insider's Guides

Canada

Quebec

North America

<h3><a href="https://www.paillard.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Café-Boulangerie Paillard</a></h3>
Hands down—the best croissants in town! Their fresh-baked bread and pastries, gourmet pizza and Italian-imported gelati impress, too. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-44195 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/paillard_001_720x460.jpg" alt="best places to eat in Quebec city" width="752" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/paillard_001_720x460.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/paillard_001_720x460-423x300.jpg 423w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
Paillard has four locations within Quebec City, including their flagship shop centrally located in the Old Town.
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<h3><a href="http://restaurantinitiale.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Initiale </a></h3>
This Relais &amp; Châteaux establishment serves French haute cuisine in an understated—yet sophisticated—dining room. 
A three-course carte fuses meat and fish sourced from Quebec with the flavours of France, while a tasting menu allows you to sample a little bit of all of the chef’s top offerings.
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<h3><a href="http://battuto.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Battuto</a></h3>
Tuck into seasonally inspired antipasti, hearty homemade pasta and all-around sublimely executed Italian food at Battuto. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42702 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/battuto_001.jpg" alt="battuto, best places to eat in Quebec city" width="752" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/battuto_001.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/battuto_001-423x300.jpg 423w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
Seating is limited in this cozy, minimalist space, so book your table well in advance.
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<h3><a href="http://cantookcafe.com/en/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cantook Micro Torrefaction </a></h3>
For your morning java or a midday pick-me-up, head to Cantook: an artisanal coffee shop that roasts all their beans in-house. 
Sip your brew in their cozy, wooden café—inspired by Canadian forests—or revel in the happenings of Rue Saint-Jean while seated in a chair out front.
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<h3><a href="https://piedbleu.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Le Pied Bleu</a></h3>
Le Pied Bleu is your classic bouchon, a type of bistro hailing from Lyon, France, whose focus is on rich meats and charcuterie.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42715 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/PiedBleu_002_720x460.jpg" alt="Pied Bleu, best places to eat in Quebec city" width="752" height="533" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/PiedBleu_002_720x460.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/PiedBleu_002_720x460-423x300.jpg 423w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
Don’t miss the house-made boudin noir (black pudding), a 5-time medalist at the elite Foire au boudin (Black Pudding Festival) that’s held annually in Normandy, France.
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<h3><a href="http://www.lemoineechanson.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Le Moine Échanson</a></h3>
At this bar au vin, natural wine is paired with creative tapas in an intimate setting with exceptional hosting. 
Knowledgeable servers guide you through their curated list of wine options—by the bottle or by the glass—and a menu that’s always on rotation depending on what’s in season.
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<h3><a href="http://www.honoizakaya.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hona Izakaya </a></h3>
For a break from French-Canadian dishes, visit this Japanese haunt where you can share plates of sushi, yakitori and sip on sake in a hip atmosphere with unstained wood benches, concrete walls and a touch of greenery. 
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<h3><a href="http://laplanquerestaurant.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">La Planque</a></h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-42725 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/laplanque_001.jpg" alt="best places to eat in Quebec city" width="378" height="240" />La Planque evokes the ambiance of a cozy, wood log cabin mixed with a rustic-chic gastropub. 
Their innovative takes on Canadian fare sees local meats like guinea fowl and duck be taken up a notch with crafty foams and purees. 
Ask for a seat at the bar so you can watch the chefs in action in the open kitchen. 
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<h3><a href="https://m.facebook.com/Kraken-Cru-841559542595409/?locale2=fr_CA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kraken Cru</a></h3>
Spend your night tasting seafood and sipping on fabulous cocktails at this pirate-like tavern that specializes in a variety (up to 10!) of fresh oysters. 
With only about 20 seats and no reservations, make sure to show up early—I promise it’s worth the wait!

The 13 Best Places to Eat in Quebec City

See + Do

Marrakech

Morocco

Africa and Middle East

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Marrakech&#8217;s Best Concept Shops</h2>
<h3><a href="http://www.jardinmajorelle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boutique Majorelle </a></h3>
So stunning it could serve as the main attraction, the boutique inside the Majorelle Gardens—a dreamy botanical garden and one of the most visited sites in Morocco—is immaculately curated by creative director Stephen DiRenza. 
From an in-house workshop, they create their own clothing, drawing inspiration from designs by Yves Saint Laurent (who purchased the gardens in the 1980s). 
Hand-hammered silver jewelry, chic throw pillows and clutches embroidederd with 16C Islamic art prints round-out this truly unique collection. 
<h3><a href="https://maxandjan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Max &amp; Jan</a></h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-42669 size-large" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Maxjan_002-400x600.jpg" alt="max and jan, best shops in Marrakech" width="400" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Maxjan_002-400x600.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Maxjan_002-200x300.jpg 200w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Maxjan_002.jpg 681w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" />The self-made description of ‘glam in the Medina’ is quickly understood as you enter the eclectic and colourful store of Max &amp; Jan. 
Go either all out with an attention-grabbing print tunic or stick to something more subdued by opting for an equally beautiful colour-block dress. 
<h3><a href="https://www.33ruemajorelle.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">33 Rue Majorelle</a></h3>
Take a breather from the busy souks at this airy lifestyle boutique with a Moroccan twist. 
Showcasing nearly 100 independent of the country’s designers and artisans, you’ll find an array of items for your wardrobe (think: vibrant scarves, brass jewelry and jacquard babouches) and for the home like glasses for mint tea, patterned potteries, crocheted Hamimi lanterns… and really, anything else you can think of! 
The collection changes frequently, so stop in to see what’s new.
<h3><a href="http://www.hanoutboutique.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hanout</a></h3>
Owner Meriem Rawlings mastered her talents at Saint Martin’s School of Art in London, where she lived with her British husband for several years. 
It was there she designed her first collection of kaftans which earned their way to the shelves of Selfridges. Upon returning to her native Marrakech, Hanout Boutique was born. 
This delightfully-curated shop sits beneath one of our favourite lunch spots (<a href="https://terrassedesepices.com/en/">Terrasses des Epices</a>) and is filled with contemporary pieces fused with Moroccan-inspired flavour like silk tunics, leather handbags and kilim boots. 
<h3><a href="https://el-fenn.com/boutique/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">El Fenn</a></h3>
Housed in a restaurant and bar, here you’ll find a selection of items that highlight the designers and artisans of Marrakech. 
Owned by Vanessa Branson, El Fenn is ripe with vintage clothes and bags, locally-crafted housewares, dazzling jewelry, coffee table books and more. 
Expertly edited in a stunning location, pop in if you want the vibe of the Souk without the haggling. 
<h3><a href="http://michele-baconnier.net/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michèle Baconnier</a></h3>
With flower-toed ballerina flats, babouches speckled with hardware, beaded necklaces and gold rings anchored by gemstones, you can immediately sense the quirk and playfulness at the core of French expat Michèle Baconnier’s shop found on a small street down in the Gueliz neighbourhood. 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42673 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/michellebaconner_001.jpg" alt="michele baconner, best shops in Marrakech" width="720" height="460" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/michellebaconner_001.jpg 720w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/michellebaconner_001-470x300.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" />
Often, Baconnier will be present to assist with sizing (she also sells dresses, tunics and more) and to share the stories behind her hand-made pieces of jewelry.  
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Marrakech&#8217;s Jewelry Shop</h2>
<h3>El Abidi Nasser Eddine</h3>
A few steps away from Au Fil d’Or, this shop is brimming with one-of-a-kind items, from antique finds to semi-precious stones amidst silverware and gold. 
Their eye-catching jewelry are the ultimate statement pieces like gold bangles, colourful stringings of Moroccan coral and their collection of Berber-inspired necklaces anchored by a Hamsa, the ancient Middle Eastern talisman that protects against the evil eye. 
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Shops for Home/Decor in Marrakech</h2>
<h3><a href="https://www.chabi-chic.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chabi Chic </a></h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-42676 size-medium" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/chabichic_002-300x300.jpg" alt="chabi chic, best shops in Marrakech" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/chabichic_002-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/chabichic_002-150x150.jpg 150w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/chabichic_002.jpg 376w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Pick up a special piece for your home at this trendy boutique adorned with Moroccan housewares with an updated appeal. 
A variety of hand-painted ceramics lend a Bohemian look to a cup of Moroccan mint tea; perfect to sip while perched on one of their throw pillows, each of which is uniquely hand embroidered with Berber motifs. Or pick up a handcrafted terracotta tajine to concoct Moroccan feasts back home. 
Along with your new house-enriching pieces, you can peruse their brand of Moroccan skincare essentials like argan dry oils and milk-based soaps. 
<h3><a href="https://www.instagram.com/mustaphablaoui/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mustapha Blaoui</a></h3>
We’re convinced the unmarked door of Mustapha Blaoui’s shop is secretly a portal to another world; an enchanting one packed with whimsical carpets, antiques hailing from different countries, tables and chests that surely come with a story, carved wooden doors, lanterns worthy of being hung in Moroccan places, art, pottery, cabinets and more. 
A real emporium of wonder, it’s worth visiting for the atmosphere alone. 
<h3><a href="http://www.almatjarmarrakech.com/en/bazar.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al Matjar</a></h3>
A specialist in carpets, Chabi Mohamed himself is the son of a shopkeeper (Au Fil d’Or). Among his collection, you’ll find anything from antiques to Berber rugs (which can be shipped internationally). 
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42680 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/almatjar-marrakech_001.jpg" alt="al matjar, best shops in Marrakech" width="720" height="460" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/almatjar-marrakech_001.jpg 720w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/almatjar-marrakech_001-470x300.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" />
Here’s a good opportunity to play the bargaining game and land on fair prices without sacrificing quality.
<h3>L’Art du Bain</h3>
If you plan to indulge in a spa treatment in Morocco, chances are you’ll cross paths with savon noir: a thick, dark-coloured soap that is used in the hammams. 
Also known as beldi, this ‘black soap’ is rich in vitamin E and made entirely of natural and organic product. 
You can stock up on jars of it in this tiny store along with other handmade, pure plant-oil soaps with scents like rose and orange blossom. 
<h3><a href="https://valeriebarkowski.com/vb-store/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">V Barkowski</a></h3>
Hailing from Belgium, Valérie Barkowski came to Marrakech some 20 years ago to open <a href="http://www.darkawa.net/">Dar Kawa</a>, a minimalist, white-washed riad (a traditional Moroccan guest house) in the heart of the Medina. 
A woman of numerous talents, her eye for design includes creating luxury home linens like hand-embroidered pillowcases and bedsheets and tasselled hand towels which you’ll find in her showroom just a few minutes away from the riad. Be sure to call ahead to make an appointment.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-42682 size-full" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/vb_001_720x460.jpg" alt="best shops in Marrakech" width="720" height="460" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/vb_001_720x460.jpg 720w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/vb_001_720x460-470x300.jpg 470w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Footwear Shop in Marrakech</h2>
<h3>Atika</h3>
Visit Atika for a rainbow of designer-looking loafers at a fraction of the price. 
Whether you like to stand out in a crowd or simply keep your feet looking classy, chose from a spectrum of shades that range from earth tones to neon. 
Atika doesn’t have a website, but you can visit their store in the Nouvelle Ville to scope out their selection. If you want something custom, give them a call ahead of time to put in your request.

The 18 Best Shops in Marrakech

The Slow Road

France

Île-de-France

<h3><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39871 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouenFlag300px.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="302" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouenFlag300px.jpg 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouenFlag300px-298x300.jpg 298w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouenFlag300px-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Rouen: A Medieval Stronghold </h3>
The capital of Normandy, Rouen has held serious clout as far back as the Middle Ages. One of the largest and wealthiest towns in medieval Europe, it was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy and a capital of the Anglo-Norman dynasty, which ruled England and various parts of France from the 11th to the 15th centuries. With such concentrated wealth and infrastructure, its town is filled with curiosities, museums, and important historical sites: the Tour de Beurre (Butter Tower) built from a sale of indulgences to consume butter during Lent; an astronomical clock from the 14thC; Rouen Castle, where Joan of Arc was briefly held, and the site of her pyre, at the Place du Vieux Marche. Along with that, the city is rich in museums and culture, from fine arts, ceramics, to maritime history, and has a noted botanical garden that was once owned by Scottish economist John Law.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39868 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouen-732px.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouen-732px.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/rouen-732px-451x300.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h3><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39869 alignright" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Jumieges1.png" alt="" width="300" height="304" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Jumieges1.png 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Jumieges1-296x300.png 296w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Abbey of Jumièges: Wealth and Power</h3>
The ruins of a once-powerful monastery founded in the year 654, the Abbey of Jumièges enjoyed a remarkable privilege and standing. At the height of its powers, nearly one thousand monks lived here, enjoying the patronage of the wealthy Dukes of Burgundy. Rising to become one of the most influential monasteries in the country, Jumièges was a renowned centre of religion, education, and influence, not to mention tremendous alms and charity for the poor. Razed by the Vikings in the 9thC, but rebuilt and consecrated in 1067 (in front of an audience that included William the Conqueror), it ceased to be a working abbey during the French Revolution, but one thing that continues to live amongst the ruins is a 500-year-old yew tree in the middle of the former cloister, a silent witness to history.
<h3>Honfleur: Maritime Trade &amp; Exploration 
</h3>
The <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/06/11/things-to-do-in-honfleur/">beautiful Norman town of Honfleur</a> is known for its picturesque inner harbour. Situated on an estuary on the left bank of the Seine, Honfleur was the ideal port for shipping goods from Rouen over to England. This strategic location also meant that during the Hundred Years’ War between England and France (and throughout), Honfleur switched hands often between the two powers. Trade thrived in the 1600s with Canada, the West Indies, the coasts of Africa and the Azores in Portugal, along with its dubious status as one of the five main ports for France’s slave trade. A number of explorers departed from the port, including Gonneville’s 1503 expedition to Brazil, Jean Denis to Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River in 1506, and Samuel de Champlain in 1608, who went on to found Quebec City.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-39855 aligncenter" src="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/honfleur-732px.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/honfleur-732px.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/honfleur-732px-451x300.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />

Secrets of the Seine

Experts + Insiders

Normandy

<h3>Rich Culture, History, and Recreation</h3>
From the remarkable <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/08/09/history-lesson-bayeux-tapestry/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bayeux Tapestry that tells a lengthy visual tale</a> of the Norman conquest of England in 1066 to the <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/06/11/things-to-do-in-honfleur/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">quintessentially Norman good looks of Honfleur,</a> and the <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2017/11/14/normandys-showstopper-mont-saint-michel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">otherworldly magic of Mont Saint-Michel</a>, along with its typically beautiful chateaux and manicured gardens, I have found such a wealth of topics to explore on my many visits to this region of France.
As a Trip Designer, it also goes without saying that the biking is sublime here—pedalling along the seemingly endless coastline, with the scent of the sea and the breeze ruffling your hair, or absolutely stunning inland rides in the countryside. (We also insist: it&#8217;s a must on a B&amp;R trip to celebrate our achievements at day&#8217;s end with a well-deserved toast!)
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39791 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mont-st-mich-732px.jpg" alt="" width="732" height="487" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mont-st-mich-732px.jpg 732w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mont-st-mich-732px-451x300.jpg 451w" sizes="(max-width: 732px) 100vw, 732px" />
<h3>Tasty Traditions</h3>
This region has brought us the pleasures of Camembert cheese, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/08/19/calvados-a-norman-tradition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calvados and cider</a>, along with the simple and satisfying meal of fresh mussels with Normandy cream, the richness of the ‘pilgrim’s omelet’ commonly served to visitors on Mont-Saint-Michel.
Erin adds: &#8220;Having been there many times, I also can’t help but shout out the fabulous salted Normandy butter&#8230;I still have dreams about it. Seriously, it’s that good.&#8221; (I must concur).
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-50579 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Normandy-mussels-and-fries.png" alt="mussels and french fries" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Normandy-mussels-and-fries.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Normandy-mussels-and-fries-480x300.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Normandy-mussels-and-fries-250x156.png 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Normandy-mussels-and-fries-768x480.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
<h3>Living History: Everyone Has A Story to Tell</h3>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-39793 size-thumbnail" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/biker-in-cemetery-350px-250x156.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="156" />Of course, travellers have their own individual connections to the Second World War. Erin recounts one of her past trips: “There was one man who I will never forget. We were at Sainte-Mère-Église on the morning of a scheduled bike ride and a soft-spoken man said to me in passing that his father was in the parachute unit on the morning of D-Day and he died during that effort. We were standing outside the parachute museum and I encouraged him to go into the museum to learn more about that morning. He didn’t want to, as he feared being last on the bike. I told him I would wait for him as long as he needed. It seemed to me that he had mixed feelings about everything, and when he came out 45 minutes later, I could tell that he had been moved by his visit. Normandy is a place that touches people deeply.”
No matter what the myriad reasons are for bringing you to Normandy (or back again—over the years, I have had many travellers come back for the milestone years, finding much to rediscover year after year). Indeed, no matter when you visit, Normandy is a region that works its charms on you, time and time again.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-39792 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Man-Biking-960px-Beach.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="526" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Man-Biking-960px-Beach.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Man-Biking-960px-Beach-480x263.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Man-Biking-960px-Beach-768x421.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />

6 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Normandy, France

<h4>A Fortress, Made Impenetrable By Tides</h4>
These dangerous tides made Mont Saint-Michel readily defensible, warding off would-be assailants. By capitalising on this natural defence, Mont Saint-Michel remained unconquered during the Hundred Years’ War, with only a small garrison defending it against a full attack by the English in 1433.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36618 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/MSMramparts-neiljs-flickr-960px-compressed.png" alt="" width="960" height="622" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/MSMramparts-neiljs-flickr-960px-compressed.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/MSMramparts-neiljs-flickr-960px-compressed-463x300.png 463w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/MSMramparts-neiljs-flickr-960px-compressed-768x498.png 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/MSMramparts-neiljs-flickr-960px-compressed-926x600.png 926w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
This resistance was said to have greatly inspired Joan of Arc, and it is Mont Saint-Michel that even appears in the famed <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/08/09/history-lesson-bayeux-tapestry/">Tapestry of Bayeux</a>, where the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, Harold Godwinson, is depicted saving two Norman knights from the perils of the bay’s quicksand. The monastery above the green hill is shown in sections 16 and 17 of the embroidered masterpiece below.
<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-36613 aligncenter" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/BayeuxTapestryScene16_17-MontStMichel-960px-comprsesed.png" alt="" width="960" height="211" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/BayeuxTapestryScene16_17-MontStMichel-960px-comprsesed.png 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/BayeuxTapestryScene16_17-MontStMichel-960px-comprsesed-480x106.png 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/BayeuxTapestryScene16_17-MontStMichel-960px-comprsesed-768x169.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
When Mont Saint-Michel’s popularity as a centre of pilgrimage waned, the reverse benefits of its natural defence were not lost on Louis XI, who converted the island into a prison. Thereafter the abbey began to be used more regularly as a jail during the Ancien Régime, until Victor Hugo and other luminaries called for its restoration as a national monument. The prison was closed in 1863, and the mount became a historic monument in 1874; in 1979, the island was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Normandy’s Showstopper: Mont Saint-Michel

Culture &amp; Lifestyle

Essentials &amp; Advice

Need to Know

Reading for the Road

B&amp;R Picks

<h4><a href="http://amzn.to/2FC8RSR" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-14373" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FRN40.jpg" alt="Books About Normandy" width="108" height="165" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2FC8RSR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">D-Day June 6, 1944, The Climactic Battle of World War II</a></h4>
By Stephen Ambrose
Written by the best-selling historian Stephen Ambrose, this well researched book draws together interviews and government documents to tell the gripping tale of D-Day. This comprehensive account contains 32 pages of photos and eight maps.
<a href="http://amzn.to/2FC8RSR" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt; </a>
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<h4><a href="http://amzn.to/2ox1rJn" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-14376 alignleft" title="Michelin Normandy" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FRN89-168x320.jpg" alt="Books About Normandy" width="105" height="199" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FRN89-168x320.jpg 168w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FRN89.jpg 200w" sizes="(max-width: 105px) 100vw, 105px" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2ox1rJn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Michelin Green Guide Normandy</a></h4>
By Michelin Travel Publications
A thorough introduction to Normandy and the Channel islands in the classic Michelin style, featuring brief descriptions of all the major attractions. Organized alphabetically, we like it for its broad coverage, and especially for its excellent local maps.
<a href="http://amzn.to/2ox1rJn" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt;</a>
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<h4><a href="http://amzn.to/2FEojxX" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-14377" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/WLD121-196x320.jpg" alt="Books About Normandy" width="106" height="171" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2FEojxX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Time to Keep Silence</a></h4>
By Patrick Leigh Fermor
This entrancing chronicle of sojourns in the monasteries of Solesmes, Wandrille and La Grande Trappe in Normandy in the 1940s concludes with a visit to Cappadocia&#8217;s rock chapels, hewn of stone and long abandoned.
<a href="http://amzn.to/2FEojxX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt;</a>
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Reading for the Road: Our Favourite Books About Normandy

Notes From the Road

<h2>Bonjour, Georges</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-33021 alignright" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Georges.jpg" width="200" height="297" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Georges.jpg 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Georges-202x300.jpg 202w" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />
It’s an understatement to say it was a pleasant surprise when the guide deviated slightly from the day’s plans to visit Juno Beach, the location in the small town of Courseulles-sur-mer where the Canadians landed.
It was there that I came across Georges.
The guide had asked him where the closest washroom was, and 89-year-old Georges happily advised. The two got to talking, and our guide soon was listening to Georges retell his past in Courseulles-sur-mer, where he’s resided amongst the monuments of Juno Beach since his youth.
A mere teenager the day the Canadians dropped into Juno Beach in 1944, he told the guide that he remembers helping wounded soldiers in his own home and remembers his many Canadian friends to this day.
Upon learning I was the only Canadian in the group, his face lit up as he exclaimed “Une petite Canadienne!”
<figure id="attachment_33030" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-33030" style="width: 400px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-33030" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Courseulles-sur-mer.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="250" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Courseulles-sur-mer.jpg 400w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Courseulles-sur-mer-250x156.jpg 250w" sizes="(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-33030" class="wp-caption-text">Georges&#8217; hometown of Courseulles-sur-mer</figcaption></figure>
Georges came over to me and asked me to say “Bonjour à ses amis en Ontario!” (Hello to his friends in Ontario!), before proceeding to give me all of their names, accompanied by the cities they lived in.
He proudly told me about his visits to Canada to see them and marvelled over having been up the CN Tower and witnessed Niagara Falls.
I had so many questions I wanted to ask, but a language barrier and shortage of time intervened. He gave me a big hug and I thanked him before he rode off on his bike.
I realized that I had just met a part of living history; a generation that will soon be gone and unable to share their memories of such a prominent event in the world’s past.
<h2>Beyond History</h2>
It’s not all a history lesson, though.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-33032" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Honfleur-960x600.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Honfleur-960x600.jpg 960w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Honfleur-250x156.jpg 250w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Honfleur-480x300.jpg 480w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Honfleur-768x480.jpg 768w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Normandy-NFTR-Honfleur.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The riding along the English Channel and past the classic timbered houses of the area lends to beauty and charm. The seaside town of <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/06/11/things-to-do-in-honfleur/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Honfleur</a> (pictured above), picturesque with its old harbour lined with buildings in perfect shades of sepia, makes for a perfect setting to grab a meal.
Much like the rest of France, food reigns supreme in Normandy, with local specialties such as creamy Camembert cheese and the freshest seafood. While in the region, be sure to try traditional <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/08/19/calvados-a-norman-tradition/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Calvados</a>, an apple-based liqueur that serves as a delicious digestif or mid-bike-ride libation.
But it’s the people that make your travels so memorable, the connections you create and the lives you learn about.
When I think about Normandy, I always remember Georges and his friendly face, and the many others—both in Normandy and abroad—who have a story or two to tell of the history they’ve lived.
Update: Since this story was written, we have since learnt that our dear friend <a href="https://www.junobeach.org/remembering-georges-regnauld/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Georges has passed</a>, but his kindliness and friendship lives on in our hearts as a witness to history.

Notes From the Road: In Normandy, Living History

family

Around The World

<h2>5. Dolomites</h2>
<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-32919 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dolomites-family-300x400.png" alt="mountain climbing in the Dolomites" width="300" height="400" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dolomites-family-300x400.png 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/dolomites-family-300x400-225x300.png 225w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Uncover Italy&#8217;s best-kept secret with the family and explore the incredible Dolomites mountain region. Perfect for large families, the activity can be dialled up or down for people of all abilities and you&#8217;re sure to be in good hands with the local mountain guides to assist.
Shoot up the mountain on an e-bike, head out on a leisurely walk or opt for a challenging trek. Looking for a new and exciting activity? Try paragliding, rock climbing or heli-hiking. In the Dolomites, the options are endless and the views are outstanding. Combine this region with Venice on our <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/trip/dolomites-family-private/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dolomites to Venice Family Adventure</a> for a truly unforgettable family experience.
<h2>6. Arizona</h2>
Whether horseback riding among iconic Saguaro cacti, flying over the wonder that is the Grand Canyon or learning about the unique flora and fauna (or, as you can put it to the kids: cool cacti and awesome animals), Arizona offers an amazing array of activities for the whole family. Ride horses, hike through deserts and enjoy desserts under the stars. Here, adventure awaits at every turn.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-32348 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cool-family-vacation-ideas-Arizona.jpg" alt="" width="752" height="350" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cool-family-vacation-ideas-Arizona.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Cool-family-vacation-ideas-Arizona-480x223.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
<h2>7. Iceland<img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-32230 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/iceland-600x600-300x300.jpg" alt="iceland-600x600" width="300" height="300" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/iceland-600x600-300x300.jpg 300w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/iceland-600x600.jpg 600w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/iceland-600x600-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></h2>
Done family reunion picnics to death?
Iceland is especially perfect for those seeking adventure.
Push the boundaries with epic waterfalls, Northern Lights, otherworldly vistas and hidden hot springs. By journey’s end, even your surliest niece will plead to stay longer.
But don&#8217;t take my word for it. Instead, check out photos from traveller Ken Finkelstein&#8217;s <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2015/08/24/in-pictures-a-perfect-icelandic-itinerary/">family trip to Iceland</a>.
The trip was such a success that they went back a second time (in the same year!) for a winter adventure.
<h2>8. Ireland</h2>
Want to get everyone together but worried about the stress of logistics, moving around and keeping everybody happy?
Consider a <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/custom/ireland-bespoke/">private castle stay in Ireland</a>.
Ideal for families or private groups, you and your clan will unpack once and explore from a home base.
Whether you’re heading back to your Irish roots or simply looking to immerse yourself in true Celtic culture, the kids will never forget that time they slept in a <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2016/10/31/best-hotels-ireland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medieval castle</a> and honed their skills with an archery lesson.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-31860 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Best-Hotels-Ireland-Ashford2.jpg" alt="" width="752" height="400" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Best-Hotels-Ireland-Ashford2.jpg 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Best-Hotels-Ireland-Ashford2-480x255.jpg 480w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
<h2>9. Tuscany</h2>
A villa stay in Tuscany is another perfect setting for families wanting to unpack once with access to a broad range of activities delivered straight to your door. From painting to flag throwing, pizza making to cooking demonstrations, Tuscany is the perfect home base for you to sit back and relax while the kids jump from activity to activity.
<img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-32917 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/tuscany-family-752x500.png" alt="" width="752" height="500" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/tuscany-family-752x500.png 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/tuscany-family-752x500-451x300.png 451w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
Set off each day with an active morning with your group then unwind by the pool in the afternoon. Mid-day meals are as many events as they are refuelling and dinners at the villa in the evening allow for super convenient meals with flexible menus to please everyone in the family. Talk to a seasoned Trip Designer about <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/tuscany-bespoke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tuscany Bespoke</a> options for your family.
<h2>10. Galapagos</h2>
Bring the family to explore the land that stirred Darwin and turned science on its ear.
Here, you can sail into a turquoise cove with no other boats in sight, sit yourself down on a lava rock, and watch a baby sea lion sneak up for a closer inspection.
Spot <a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2014/08/15/5-must-see-galapagos-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rare animals </a>with the kids, like the Galapagos tortoise and blue-footed boobies. Then, walk barefoot down a powdery white beach while they distractedly snorkel in the crystal-clear waters.
An <a href="https://butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/ecuador-galapagos-bespoke">Ecuador &amp; Galapagos Family Adventure</a> is sure to provide your family with memories they’ll treasure endlessly.
<img loading="lazy" class="alignnone wp-image-32801 size-full" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/galapagos-2-752x500.png" alt="" width="752" height="500" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/galapagos-2-752x500.png 752w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/galapagos-2-752x500-451x300.png 451w" sizes="(max-width: 752px) 100vw, 752px" />
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10 of the Coolest Places on Earth to Take Your Entire Family

Must Sees

Cities

Honfleur

The creation of the “Vieux Bassin” harbour was initiated by Louis XIV’s minister Colbert. The rich and stately houses on the Quai St-Etienne were not as popular among painters and artists flocking to the town as the high and narrow dwellings on the opposite Quai Ste-Catherine. At the entrance of the basin one finds La Lieutenance (D), the 17th century residence of the lieutenant du roi, or governor of Honfleur. Make your way around the harbour to La Lieutenance. The Rue de Logettes leads from La Lieutenance (and the former city gate Porte de Caen attached to it) to the Place Ste-Catherine, named after the interesting church in its centre. This quarter was only attached to the Quartier de L’Enclos in the 19th century by filling in the old moats. It is a lovely area with lots of shops.

The Ste-Catherine (E) church, pictured above, was built following the Hundred Years’ War. The residents of Honfleur wanted to immediately honour God for making the English leave and decided not to wait until masons and other craftsmen became available to build their church. They built it themselves using local shipwrights and shipbuilding techniques, as can be seen in the wooden vaulting. The vaulting of the principal nave resembles an inverted ship’s hull. The second nave has lovely polychrome sculptures. Notice the bell tower springing from the operators&#8217; housing next to the church. Walk past the tower into the Rue des Lingots and then left onto the Rue de L’Homme de Bois. Continue until you see <a href="http://www.musees-honfleur.fr/musee-eugene-boudin/historique.html" target="_blank">Musée Municipal Eugène Boudin </a>(F) on your left. Built in 1974 to honour the distinguished Honfleur-born pre-Impressionist, this museum displays his work as well as that of Jongkind, Dubourg, Monet and Dufy. (Unfortunately, Boudin’s best work is in the United States.) The museum also has an impressive display of traditional costumes, hats and lace.

Insider's Guide: Things to Do in Honfleur

Accolades

Media Mentions

Family Travel

MD Magazine

Latin America

Costa Rica

All in the Family

Profiles

Experts + Insiders: Jérôme Boré

Loire Valley

<h4><a href="http://amzn.to/2GQ6knE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-14349" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FRN43-189x320.jpg" alt="books about loire valley" width="113" height="192" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2GQ6knE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eyewitness Guide Loire Valley</a></h4>
Eyewitness Guides
Visually rich, comprehensive, and practical, this guidebook is an excellent introduction to the history, culture and attractions of the Loire Valley. Highly recommended.
<a href="http://amzn.to/2GQ6knE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt;</a>
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<h4><a href="http://amzn.to/2CO8RMG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-14350" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FRN484.jpg" alt="books about loire valley" width="112" height="173" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2CO8RMG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chocolat</a></h4>
By Joanne Harris
This charming novel set in the Loire Valley pits provincial morals against pleasure. Adapted into a popular movie.
<a href="http://amzn.to/2CO8RMG" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt;</a>
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<h4><a href="http://amzn.to/2Fa98i5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright wp-image-14351" src="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/FRN33.jpg" alt="books about loire valley" width="110" height="164" /></a><a href="http://amzn.to/2Fa98i5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun King</a></h4>
By Nancy Mitford
An opulent, celebrated biography of Louis XIV. Gracefully written in a witty, conversational style, Mitford&#8217;s book brings Versailles to vibrant life.
<a href="http://amzn.to/2Fa98i5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Learn more on Amazon &gt;&gt;</a>

Reading for the Road: Books About Loire Valley

Beverages

Cuisine

Regional Delicacies

<h2>Apple Cider, A Millennium in the Making</h2>
Apple cider, once called Pomade, has a long tradition in Normandy. Imported from Spanish Basque country in the 11th or 12th century, it completely replaced the wine, soft beer and mead consumed in Normandy during the medieval era. The alcohol percentage of cider is about four to five percent and comes in several varieties, including brut, demi-sec and doux (less alcohol).
<figure id="attachment_14141" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-14141" style="width: 320px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="http://www.butterfield.com/blog/2013/08/19/calvados-a-norman-tradition/caernarfon_marche_francais_-_marchnad_ffrengig_-_french_market_-_geograph-org-uk_-_615710/" rel="attachment wp-att-14141"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-14141 size-medium" src="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Caernarfon_Marché_Français_-_Marchnad_Ffrengig_-_French_Market_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_615710-320x214.jpg" alt="Calvados" width="320" height="214" srcset="https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Caernarfon_Marché_Français_-_Marchnad_Ffrengig_-_French_Market_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_615710-320x214.jpg 320w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Caernarfon_Marché_Français_-_Marchnad_Ffrengig_-_French_Market_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_615710-124x82.jpg 124w, https://blog.butterfield.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Caernarfon_Marché_Français_-_Marchnad_Ffrengig_-_French_Market_-_geograph.org_.uk_-_615710.jpg 640w" sizes="(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-14141" class="wp-caption-text">Once bottled, cider is left for two months to develop its &#8220;bubbles.&#8221;</figcaption></figure>
Attractive orchards with local apple tree varieties such as Bergerie de Villerville, Coquerelle, Frequin Rouge, Bisquet, Noël des Champs, Saint Martin and Bedan surround Deauville and pepper the Pays d’Auge. Their apples are harvested and picked by hand from September to December, then kept in crates until they attain a perfect ripeness. There are more than 20 apple varieties, which provide the bases of both Calvados and cider.
After the apples are crushed in a restored old press, the must is gathered in stainless steel tanks where the fermentation can be perfectly monitored throughout the winter. After three months the fermented juice is assessed on its colour, density and aroma. Finally, the cider is bottled and left for two months to develop its “bubbles.&#8221;

normandy

Blog posts for 'normandy'