After the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonapart set his sights on England and began massing a large army on the French coast in preparation for invasion. Romney Marsh on the Kent coast seemed to be a likely invasion point for the French army, so, in 1804 the construction of the Royal Military Canal started at Seabrook. …
Rodin's statue of the burghers of Calais stands outside the town hall in Calais Nord and is well worth a visit. The maquettes Of this famous statue can be found in the Musee de Calais. The history behind the creation of this statue goes back to the 14th century. Following Edward III's (of England) success …
Port St Goustan faces Auray on the banks of the Riviere d'Auray in Southern Brittany. There are steep lanes leading off Place St Sauveur along with Quai Franklin named after the American statesman, Benjamin Franklin who, in 1776, sailed from Philadelphia to France to negotiate a treaty and landed at Port St Goustan.
Fort d'Ambleteuse is situated on the Northern French coast between Calais and Boulogne. It is also known as Fort Mahon and Fort Vauban. In 1680 Louis XIV was travelling to Boulogne when he discovered Ambleteuse and decided to build a fort. The fort was constructed between 1682 and 1690 to the design of Vauban on a rocky …
Just south of Brittany in the Loire-Atlantique region is the fortified medieval city of Guerande. The city dominates two contrasting landscapes: Le Pays Blanc encompassing the salt marches and the Parc Naturel Regional de la Briere comprising of mostly peat marshes.
Hamstreet Woods in Kent are the remnants of the ancient Orlestone Forest that once covered the Weald. The woods are a site of special scientific interest and are manged in a traditional way in order to support bird and moth populations. There are two major walking trails through the woods where visitors can see a …
In the Morbihan region of Brittany in France is a picturesque fishing village called La Trinite sur Mer. It is built on high ground sloping down to the harbour and beaches on the River Crach Estuary. The Old town is full of character with traditional stone houses. This is a popular resort with a large marina …
St Valery sur Somme is a picturesque seaside town overlooking the Baie de Somme in Northern France. The area closest to the port includes quaint fishermen’s cottages while the old town is medieval in character and surrounded by ramparts.
Like the rest of the Golfe du Morbihan L’Ile d’Arz was developed under the occupation of the Celtes, Romans and Bretons. They came to farm the fertile land. In the 11th Century the island was shared between two priories which established churches, mills and farms. With the rapid expansion of maritime trade came the construction …
In the 10th Century Wharfdale around Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire was originally settled by the Norse who developed farms and hamlets. They were then followed in medieval times by monks who developed the estate further and introduced drovers roads to move livestock great distances. The River Wharf runs through the valley with footpaths and …
Liz Garnett 