Wednesday 5 August 2015

Condé-sur-Noireau - A Normandy town


Of the 3 towns close to Eco-Gites of Lenault it is Condé-Sur-Noireau that we visit the most. The boys go to school there, I go the market most weeks and we drive through it to get to the boys' sports clubs.  Admittedly it is not the prettiest of towns but what it lacks in beauty it makes up for in floral displays and the shops and services etc you'll find there.  Let me take you on a small tour of Condé-sur-Noireau.


The Normandy town of Condé sur Noireau
Image from map-France.com


A Little History


Condé-sur-Noireau is named after the Noireau river which passes through the town and which means black water.   The town played an indirect role in the 100 years war.  A Spanish mercenary named  Francois de Surienne launched an attack on the medieval town and castle at Fougeres in Brittany from Condé-sur-Noireau, which led Charles VII of France to invade what was then English Normandy and thus led to the end of the Hundred Years' War.

500 years later it played it's role in the beginning of the end of World War II but in doing so the town was almost totally destroyed by the Allied Forces.  After the war the town needed to be rebuilt as quickly as possible and charm and beauty were not high on the building agenda.

Condé-sur Noireau can boast at least one famous son.  In the centre of town is a statue to Admiral Dument d'Urville and the boys' middle school (collège) is named after him.  Born in the town in 1790 he was an explorer, cartographer, scientist and rear admiral.  His work led him to explore around  Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica where he named various plants and even an island off New Zealand after himself.  

Normandy's famous explorer - Jules Dumont d'Urville
Jules Dumont d'Urville - image from Wikipedia



Modern Day Condé-sur-Noireau



Shopping and Eating


Food

From a large InterMarché supermarket to all the small food shops you'd expect in a Normandy town you should be able to get all your food requirements in Condé-sur-Noireau.  At a quick count I think there are at least 8 bakers although we reckon the best bread is from the baker's opposite the main church!  Most butchers and bakers will be open on Sunday morning as will the town centre Carrefour supermarket but the large Intermarché and other shops will all be closed all Sunday.

Supermarket in Condé sur Noireau, Normandy


Bars and Restaurants

There are plenty of bars which, in the French tradition, often double up as tobacconists and newsagents.  Some also serve food. You have plenty of restaurants to chose from but be aware that many of these will not be open on Sunday evening or at all on Mondays.  We have eaten in several so can recommend:
For typical Normandy dishes - Le Bistrot Normand
For crêpes - La Licorne
For pizzas - Les Trois Ecus

Take-Aways

Normandy does not offer a large number of take-away options but there are 2 kebab shops and a pizza take-away.  Les Trois Ecus also does take-away pizzas.


Market

Every Thursday morning sees the town centre closed to traffic for the weekly market.  Here you'll find everything from clothes to plants, live chickens to furniture as well as all the usual food stalls.  It's a very popular market so do expect crowds and queues at some of the more popular stalls.

Market stall, Normandy
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Wine and Cider

If you are after stocking up on drink, La Cave Muzard is the place to go where you'll find a large selection of wines as well as local Normandy products - cider, calvados, apple/pear juice and poiré.


Entertainment


The Park

Condé-sir-Noireau's park is a lovely leafy spot with many unusual trees and a large lake around which you can take a leisurely stroll or settle down for a picnic.  There is a children's play area, a boules pitch, tennis courts and every summer the town council opens up Le Condé Plage - The Beach!  This sandy area next to th elake is where you can sunbathe or make sandcastles and where there are all sorts of activities from free concerts, pedalo/kayak hire and, the time we went, one of the weirdest spectacles we have ever seen - BMX bike diving!  Don't ask!

Swimming Pool

You are not allowed to swim in the park lake but for water babies there is L'espace aquatique (swimming pool) consisting of an adult deep pool, shallow play pool as well as  large slide, current area and bubble pool.  In school holidays on every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon the main pool has a large inflatable to keep older children entertained.  If the weather is hot the roof can be retracted to allow the sunshine to flood in.

Do remember though, that in French pools men must wear tight fitting trunks and you will be refused entry if you have shorts-type swimming trunks.


Cinema

Le Royal has recently been refurbished and is now run by a team of volunteers.  Every month there will is a good range of films and at least one will be a Version Original i.e. in the language the film was made in and subtitled in French.  Just make sure though that if you don't read French that the film you are going to watch is actually in English ... not all are!


Museums

The local Library also houses the Espace Musée Charles Léandre, an art museum which has regular other exhibitions on a range of local topics.

Musée de l'imprimerie typographique is a printing museum although we have yet to visit.  Have you been?


Floral Displays

If there is one thing French towns all excel at, it is there floral displays and Condé-sur-Noireau in no exception.  I wrote a blog about their flowers last year with plenty more photos if you are interested. 


Beautiful flowers in Normandy

Condé-sur-Noireau is a fine example of not judging a book by it's cover.  It may not have the charm of towns in other parts France but it a bustling place with plenty of things there to warrant a visit.  Have you been and if so what would you recommend to people?



22 comments :

  1. The floral displays look wonderful and I love the sound of the markets! It's probably a good thing that the UK haven't enforced that law about men wearing tight trunks rather than shorts...!! Thanks for linking up to #LoveWhereILive x

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    1. LOL - but it's only bring equality as we women have no choice but to wear a tight costume ;)

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  2. The market looks rely nice. Agree with Entertaining Elliot about the tight trunks! #whereilove

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    1. They don't just have to be speedos - ones more boxer shorts are allowed, just not really baggy ones.

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  3. Goodness me I can almost smell all the beautiful produce at the market! I miss France! I have very fond memories of lazy saturday morning wondering around the markets in Sarlat! #LoveWhereILive

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    1. I have just been today and it was as lovely as ever. The apricots I bought are delicious.

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  4. Every time I read one of your posts I just want to get in the car and drive to France!! I love how each town has it's own unique character and traditions. #LoveWhereILive

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  5. Love small French villages!

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  6. 8 boulangeries??!!! What's the population of Condé? That's an amazing amount. Seems like you've found a useful town for your daily needs, not everywhere has to be chocolatebox pretty and when it's not then you don't get day trippers which in my opinion makes it much more livable. Thanks for linking up to #AllAboutFrance Rosie!

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    1. According to Wikipedia the population in 2012 was 5 279 so one bakery for every 660 people!

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  7. It's lovely to read about the real life side of a town, rather than just the side tourists see. I must fit in a visit to France this year, it's been too long - and I miss the markets. A little ferry jaunt to Normandy is tempting! Thanks for joining up with #citytripping

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    1. Yes, come and visit us in Normandy - there is so much to see and do here :)

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  8. Great to get a closer look at the history and facilities of your local town Rosie. I hadn't heard of it before. Very useful for people visiting. I love the sound of the market! Thanks for linking to #citytripping

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    1. It's only a small town and not one listed as a main tourist place but that doesn't mean it is not worth a visit ... and it is my favourite local market.

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  9. What a lovely town ... I must visit!

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  10. Would love to visit the market. What is a good spot to meet the locals (or where locals tend to hang out)?

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    1. Definitely a good place to meet locals and people watch. A friend and I often get together on market day, have a coffee and enjoy watching everyone chatting - it's very social and I invariably meet someone I know.

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  11. I didn't visit this place, but stayed in Normandy for a week driving here and there. Super area!

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    1. Normandy really is a lovely area. Condé is probably not the first place people visiting would go to but as our local town, if you are staying with us it is well worth a trip there.

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