"Centre of Cotentin delicatesses (cidre,... " a Valognes Travel Page by Pavlik_NL

In the centre of Basse-Normandie and the peninsula Cotentin, Valognes presents itself as a place where the traditions of this part of France are kept high and are shown to all interested visitors. Here is where the visitors find the Musee de Cidre (Cider wine), Musee de Calvados (apple liquor) and Musee des vieux metiers (various old, mainly agricultural, machines, tools and crafts). The museums are situated all in the same block of houses, along a scenic small creek that is pressing itself forward in between the buildings of the town. Valognes is full of enchanting places and beautiful scenery is there for the picking. Around every corner a new beautiful surprise awaits the visitor.

Valognes already dates back to the Romain era, when - not far from the present location of the town - a Romain settlement Alauna was. It may be not completely clear, but the name Valognes is said to derive from this Latin Alauna. Anyway, when Normandie became an English province, Valognes became an aristocratic town, as several noble families decided to place there mansions in it's neighbourhood. It can be imagines that during the French revolution, Valognes was struck as hard as it did against anything that had to do with the present powers to be (royals as well as nobility). Now-a-days Valognes is a pleasant town in agricultural surroundings. Agriculture is the bases for many traditional Normandian products and Valognes can well be named a centre in this.