Swiss Normandy
Swiss Normandy is under an hour away from La Basse-Cour. While it is a huge exaggeration to think it rivals the real Switzerland, nevertheless it has some truly beautiful scenery, particularly in the area around Clécy.
The area owes its beauty primarily to a cliff that runs north-south, following the Orne river. On the west side the hills rise gradually, but from the east it is possible to climb a couple of hundred feet very quickly and look almost straight down at the river.
The cliff tops are a favourite spot for hang gliders and paragliders who can be found there in their dozens whenever the wind and weather conditions are good. At other times it can be completely deserted.
One of France's Grand Randonnées, the GR36 runs through Swiss Normandy, but there are dozens of other way marked walks and mountain bike tracks criss-crossing the area.
