The Normandy American Cemetery is solemn. And when you are there, you are shocked to find the most heartbreakingly beautiful coastline to be the backdrop of a tragic end to almost 10,000 young men that all perished in one day.

So it is not easy to leave Normandy Beach and go straight to frolicking in the waters or decadent drinking of wine and cocktails. We scoured but passed by a few towns afterwards as they did not offer the peace and love, a calming energy, that we craved. Thankfully we were tipped off to a town called Cabourg.

Nicknamed the lovers' city, Cabourg is a resort town that was developed during the Belle Epoque, otherwise known as the Gilded Age - think Vanderbilts and Astors. The town has a genteel and noble old world charm to it, that helped soothe us.

We were lucky to get a table at Le Bouche a Oreille, a wonderful restaurant, both simple and formal at the same time, preparing specialties from the Normandy region and locally caught fish and seafood. And here is where we finally understood why all great French restaurants serve beef from Normandy and cheese from Normandy and proudly state as such on their menus. It is because Normandy cattle and dairy are truly from out of this world.

This is also where we were served calvados poured over lemon sorbet as a palate cleanser. And here commenced our obsession with calvados, Normandy's local apple brandy.

Order the seafood appetisers which will be beautiful and delightful, but definitely order Normandy beef, and no matter what you do don't skip the cheese course at the end.

A great re-entry back to earth and our first, true, Normandy meal.

LE BOUCHE A OREILLE

HOURS

Wed - Sun - 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm; 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

ADDRESS

10, Avenue des Dunettes – 14390 Cabourg

CONTACT

boucheaoreille-cabourg.com/

ph: 02 31 91 26 80

IMAGES

Lead-In Image - La Bouche a Orielle; Other Images - Wonder Shuffle