Normandie

Normandie, also known as Normandy in English, is a region of northwestern France. In 2016 it was formed by merging the former administrative regions of Haute-Normandie and Basse-Normandie. It comprises five departments—Calvados, Eure, Manche, Orne, and Seine-Maritime—and has Rouen as its regional capital. The coastline runs along the English Channel, with the Cotentin Peninsula to the west and agricultural lowlands inland.

Normandie takes its name from the Norse (Viking) settlers who established the duchy in the 10th century under Rollo. The Duchy of Normandy became a powerful political entity within the Kingdom of France and was integrated in 1204. The region is notable for the D-Day Allied landings on June 6, 1944, which led to liberation of western Europe. Mont-Saint-Michel and the Bayeux Tapestry are among its recognized cultural sites.

Le Havre is France's major port, and Caen and Rouen are major urban centers. The economy combines port activities, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. Normandy is known for its dairy products and apples, used to produce cider and Calvados; famous cheeses like Camembert originated there. The landscape features the Pays d'Auge and the Alabaster Coast, including Étretat's cliffs, which attract visitors.

Normandie is home to around 3.3 million residents. It has several higher education institutions, including the University of Rouen Normandy and the University of Caen Normandy. The region preserves a distinct Norman cultural heritage, with remnants of the historic Norman language alongside standard French. It remains a destination for maritime heritage, wartime history, and medieval architecture.