To get you in to the Christmas spirit, here’s our pick of festive events across Normandy. Most towns have a Christmas market in the run up to Christmas selling all sorts of speciality goods and gift ideas, such as Christmas decorations, handcrafted items, foie gras and local Norman produce. And as if that wasn’t enough, all sorts of festive exhibitions, brocantes and trade shows are organised across Normandy including turkey fairs, Christmas concerts and nativity plays, not to mention Santa Claus’ visit.

Orne and Calvados

Tour of illuminated villages – 16th December.
Visit the villages of Orne specially lit for the festive period.
5.30pm – Depart from Falaise (Calvados), passing through Lonlay Le Tesson, LaSauvagère, St Michel des Andaines (Domfront), St Mars d’Egrenne and Mantilly.
7.30pm – Dinner in the restaurant at the Hôtel de France in Domfront.
After dinner – continuation of the tour through Beauchêne, Larchamp, La Chapelle Biche, Flers, Ménil-Hubert-sur-Orne and return to Falais. Price per person: 39€. Reservations: Telephone +33 (0)2 31 90 04 77. More info on: www.falaise-tourisme.com

Tour of illuminated villages – 22nd December.
Visit the villages of Orne specially lit for the festive period. 5.30pm – Depart from Falaise (Calvados), passing through La Sauvagère (20minutes stop), St Michel des Andaines, Domfront, St Mars d’Egrenne, Mantillu,Beauchêne (20 minutes stop), La Chapelle Biche, Flers, Ménil-Hubert-sur-Orne andreturning to Falaise.Price per person: 15€ (adult), 12€ (child under 12 years). Reservations: Telephone +33 (0)2 31 90 04 77. More info on: www.falaise-tourisme.com.

Calvados

Falaise, 3rd - 31st December, Les Hivernales de Falaise.
With exhibitions, Christmas concerts, activities, street entertainment, Christmasmarket and fireworks, Falaise is enchanted in December! Don’t forget the authentic,lively Christmas market on 13th December with horse and cart rides, pony rides forthe kids and food stalls. Open from 9am to 6pm. Entrance free. More info on: www.falaise-tourisme.com

Ranville, 5th-6th December, Christmas market
Christmas market in the Henri Robin hall. Stock up on honey, chocolates, Vireandouille, perfume, champagne, pictures, jewellery and Christmas decorations to bring the magic back to your house. More information from the Ranville-Petworth Twinning Society. Telephone: +33 (0)2 31 78 69 20.

Lisieux, 11-13th December, Christmas market
Lisieux’s traditional Christmas market takes place on the place Mitterand. Don’t missthe choirs singing and the arrival of Father Christmas himself. More than seventystands sell gifts, food and other Christmas provisions.More information from the Lisieux and Pays d’Auge commune tourist office. Telephone: +33 (0)2 31 48 18 10. Visit www.lisieux-tourisme.com

Caen, 28th November-24th December, Christmas market
A traditional Christmas market of wooden chalets housing over 50 stands selling anoutstanding array of Christmas goodies and artisan produce. This cosmopolitanmarket welcomes sellers from around the world with products such as nativityfigurines, foie gras, Christmas desserts, pain d’épices (like gingerbread), hippocraswine, traditional waffles, baby clothes, plants, art, clothing, leather goods andjewellery. The charmingly festive atmosphere really makes this a Christmas event tobe relished and it is not by chance that Father Christmas himself has chosen Caenas his home for the entire duration of the market. More information from the Caen Tourist Office. Telephone: +33 (0)2 31 27 14 14. www.tourisme.caen.fr.

Caen, kids Christmas workshops at the Café Libellune
The Café Libellune in Caen is a haven for kids – big and small! – as long as little ones are accompanied by an adult. Along with non-alcoholic drinks and easy access for those with limited mobility, the Café also has a selection of games and books forits young visitors, a special baby area and regularly puts on specific activities for kids. There will be a variety of special workshops for Christmas.

Wednesday 2nd December, 4.30pm. Christmas decoration, 3 years upwards, 3-4€
Wednesday 9th December, 4.30pm Christmas candle, 3 years upwards, 3-4€
Sunday 13th December, 5pm Christmas story-telling read by Myriam, all ages, free.
More information from the Libellune Café. Telephone: +33 (0)2 14 41 34 31www.libellune.org.

Caen, 12th December 2009-3rd January 2010
Monde merveilleux de Noël. For its second season, Caen’s ‘marvellous Christmas world’ is collaborating with theFestyland theme park to bring you its very own ski slope! Covering over 10,000m², there will be:
- a giant cross-country ski piste for all ages including introductory sessions andactivities and equipment hire
- Exhibition of robots/mechanical puppets with a Christmas tales and legendstheme
- Kids’ cinema
- Audiovisual puppet theatre
- Face painting
- Christmas village
- Father Christmas’ grotto and workshop
- Forbidden forest and its mysterious creatures. Exhibition open every day from 2pm-7pm. Bar and snack bar. Free parking. Entrance 8€. www.lemondemerveilleuxdenoel.com.

Lisieux, 24th December, Christmas mass 9.30pm
The annual Christmas mass takes places in the crypt of Saint Theresa’s Basilica. Lisieux is famous worldwide thanks to Thérèse Martin, better known as SaintTheresa of the Infant Jesus and the town is considered to be the second mostimportant town of pilgrimage in France, with 700,000 people visiting the Basilica,constructed in Saint Theresa’s honour, every year. The Basilica is also the largest church built in France in the 20th century. http://en.lisieux-tourisme.com/.

Deauville, 26th December, Noël au Balcon
This year, the street arts will pay tribute to the history of Deauville. Established 150 years ago, Deauville is set to celebrate its birthday in 2010. On the eve of this momentous event, Noël au Balcon, the 13th edition of Deauville’s December streetarts festival will mark key periods in Deauville’s history. The Transe Express company is set to create an enchanting festival to delight young and old. www.deauville.org.

Eure

Evreux, 11th – 19th December, Creative Christmas Market
Monday-Friday 9.30pm-6.15pm and Sunday 2pm-5pm. The Evreux Tourist Information Office once again plays host to this Christmas marketof local arts and crafts including sculpture, jewellery, drawings, embroidery, decorations, as well as hats and clothing. The creators themselves will be on hand on certain days to provide information and expert advice. Tel. +33 (0)2 32 24 04 43. www.grandevreuxtourisme.fr

Eure Valley (Pacy-sur-Eure), Father Christmas’ train
14th December – fully booked! 20th December – fully booked! 21st December – additional train at 2.50pm. For just three afternoons in December, Father Christmas is swapping his sleigh forone of the old trains of the Eure Valley Railway association. He will join young and old on a special voyage complete with lively Christmas atmosphere and music, passing through the carriages during the journey delivering treats to the best behaved children. Telephone: +33 (0)2 32 36 04 63. www.cfve.fr

Manche

Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët, 13th, 18th-22nd and 26th-28th December
A nativity show with 15 short scenes, 40 actors and 15 animals! Since it first started,this show has delighted 223,000 people and some journalists consider it to be the “most beautiful nativity play in France”. Reservations: +33 (0)2 33 90 80 09. www.creche-vivante.org

Mont St Michel, 1st December 2009 - 15th January 2010. Activities and illuminations
From 1st December, see the magical town of the Mont lit up from 6pm every evening.

Chateau de Crosville-sur-Douve, 1st-31st December, 2pm-6pm
Decorations, activities and boutiqueThe 17th century chateau will be decked out in its Christmas finery this festiveseason drawing visitors into its magical world. The chateau’s different rooms will betransformed with decorations including Father Christmas’ grotto, the elves workshopand the Christmas pine tree forest. The boutique will be bursting with beautifuldecorations and gift ideas and activities will be organised at the weekends(programme TBC). More information from the Chateau de Crosville. Telephone: +33 (0)2 33 41 67 25. http://chateaucrosville.rezoo.fr/

Seine-Maritime

Le Havre, 11th – 24th December, Christmas Market
30 wooden chalets will be take over Place Perret for Le Havre’s Christmas marketwhilst Father Christmas’ village and workshop can be found on the place de l’Hôtelde Ville. Telephone: +33 (0)2 32 74 04 04. www.lehavretourisme.com.

Rouen, 27th November 2009 – 3rd January 2010 Rouen givrée Christmas market. Monday 2pm-7pm. Tuesday-Sunday 10am-7pm. Closed 25th December and from 3pm 30th December. Traditional Christmas markets and festive events taking place in and around Rouen and its majestic cathedral. For ice skating fans, the outdoor rink is not to be missed. Tel. +33 (0)2 32 08 32 40. www.rouentourisme.com

Rouen, 27th November 2009 – 3rd January 2010, Rouen givrée Christmas market
Monday 2pm-7pm. Tuesday-Sunday 10am-7pm. Closed 25th December and from 3pm 30th December. Traditional Christmas markets and festive events taking place in and around Rouenand its majestic cathedral. For ice skating fans, the outdoor rink is not to be missed. Tel. +33 (0)2 32 08 32 40. www.rouentourisme.com

Information sourced from www.normandie-tourisme.fr

Photo Credits © David Hughes - Fotolia.com
David Hughes - Fotolia.com