The region of Normandy in northern France was once battered by World War II bombings but rose from the ashes to become one of France’s most popular holiday destinations. One is still reminded of its devastating past by the desolate beauty of the D-day beaches, the gravity of the WWII museum, and the endless rows of graves that line the American cemetery, but the region’s arresting coastal scenery, beguiling towns and superb cuisine make fine distractions from its more sombre side. Popular destinations include Giverny, the home town of Impressionist painter, Claude Monet; and Rouen, where you can see the spectacular cathedral he painted in myriad shades of light. The town of Bayeux is famous for the Bayeux Tapestry, a beautifully preserved, 68-metre-long tapestry depicting the events leading up to William the Conqueror’s invasion of Normandy and the battle that ensued.