The local village of Lonlay L'Abbaye is only a short walk away and offers a beautiful insight into the relaxed French lifestyle with its quaint square with local bar, patisserie where the bread and cakes are exceptional, butchers, restaurant and small super market.

The history of the community is inextricably linked with that of the Abbey which was founded at the beginning of the 11th century by Count Belleme, Lord of Domfront, and given over to the Benedictine order of Fleury-sur-Loire (today known as St Benoit-sur-Loire).

Built on a shrewdly chosen site and surrounded by the Egrenne river, the Abbey at Lonlay has an undeniable spiritual and material influence on the region which spreads as far as England where three of its priories lie including St André de Stocke. This is now known as Stogursey and is twinned with Lonlay Abbey.

The Abbey witnessed difficult times with fires, pillage and being distanced from the more notable abbots. At the time of the Revolution there were only three monks left in the Abbey.

Today the Abbey has become the Parish Church.

The area around Domfront is a varied crop-producing region and is always on the lookout for new recipes.

It was in this way that the production of the Abbey shortbread first began using the traditional methods of a baker and biscuit maker from Lonlay.

The biscuit factory employs 160 people and arranges visits for groups of 10 at a time by prior appointment.

Tel. 02.33.30.64.64
Fax. 02.33.30.06.63
 

The area has much to offer those who enjoy outdoor activities.

Fishing is a popular pastime, due to the many lakes and rivers in the region. Walking and cycling are pleasant ways of seeing the local countryside and nearby forest.

The famous spa town of Bagnoles de l’Orne offers a wide variety of sporting facilities, including golf, tennis and swimming.

Horse riding and canoeing are also available locally.

If you are interested in the local history and culture, you should visit the mediaeval town of Domfront about 8km north, with its narrow streets and castle ruins. Lassay-les-Chateaux,a little further south west, has a castle dating from 15th Century and visits are possible during the summer. Both have busy weekly markets, Domfront on Fridays, Lassay on Wednesdays.

Domfront Castle	Lassay-les-Chateaux

Other towns of interest to visitors include the following:

The village of St. Fraimbault is literally covered in flowers from spring to late summer. The annual show in August is a great day out for all age groups. The road through the village is shut and stalls are set up selling locally produced food and crafts; there are displays of agricultural equipment as well as demonstrations of farming techniques through the ages.

Some of the more famous Normandy tourist attractions can easily be visited in a day :

Mont Saint Michel (also written Mont-St-Michel) is one of the must see places and can be reached in less than an hour.

The mount is best known for the medieval Benedictine Abbey and steepled church that occupies most of the 1km-diameter clump of rocks.

Granville, Across the Bay of Mont St Michel is the busy town of Granville with lovely beach, shops and Restaurants.
 

Bayeux, which is famous for its tapestry recounting the Battle of Hastings

The D Day Landing Beaches on the North coast.

Le Mans for those interested in motor racing

Monet’s garden near Giverney.

Kids’ days out

Normandy has plenty of attractions to suit youngsters of all ages. Here are a few of the popular destinations:

Espace Aquatique at Conde-sur Noireau : 3 pools, giant slide, play equipment.

Jurques Zoo Park at Jurques, between Caen and Vire : More than 500 animals in 15 hectares of grounds. Play park for children, shows, restaurant, safari animalsand rare species.

Parc Festyland at Bretteville sur Odon : Viking ship roller coasters, aqua park, jousting. A Viking battle is held daily in July and August.

Regional Food :

Specialities - moules marinières, boudin blanc, salade Cauchoise (potato salad with ham), porc Normande, pâté de foie de porc, croquettes de Camembert, marmite Dieppois (fish stew with spices), filet de sole Normande, sauce Normande (cider and cream sauce), brioche, sablé biscuits, bourdelots.

Popular foods : fish and shellfish, pork, cheese, cream, butter, omelettes, potatoes, crème fraîche, apples.

Cheeses - Camembert, Pont l'Eveque, Livarot, Neufchâtel, Chateaubriand.

Drinks - cider, calvados (cider brandy), benedictine liqueur.