1,100 years on, Normandy relives the days of Charles and Rollo

By Nicole Jankowski Aug 16, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, France - The sunlight streaming through the colourful church stained-glass window lights up the garments of the two men.

Under the watchful eyes of their troops, French King Charles the Simple and Viking leader Rollo conclude a treaty marking the foundation of Normandy.

The glass painting in the small church of Saint Clair in the tiny French village of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte shows how things may have appeared in the year 911.

Normandy is the only French region which can give its exact birthdate and is now in the process of celebrating it in a series of events called 'Happy Birthday Normandy,' running through the end of September. The programme includes a colourful mixture of concerts, mediaeval-style markets, exhibitions, and sound- and light shows.

Normandy's history begins in the Middle Ages. The region's wealth lured the Vikings from northern Europe, who after their attacks initially would take their booty back home with them. But later, they settled down right at the doorstep of the region's rulers and continued their campaign of plundering.

With the treaty of Saint Clair, King Charles basically handed over to them officially what they de facto already owned. In return, Viking leader Rollo promised his loyalty to the king and had his warriors baptized as Christians.

Some of the legends surrounding Rollo are contained on a 21-metre-long tapestry, designed by an inter-disciplinary group of experts and patterned on the famous wall tapestry of Bayeux. The tapestry is being shown around Normandy and will be on display in Saint-Clair-sur-Epte from September 9 to 11.

By far the more well-known artwork is the one in Bayeux which has attracted visitors to the small city for almost a millennium now.

The 70-metre-long wall tapestry illustrates the conquest of England by William the Conqueror, who as a direct descendant of Rollo travelled in his footsteps.

The local museum this summer is exhibiting the historical tapestry as a kind of 'Comic Book of the Middle Ages' - right opposite an equally old, 20-metre-long rolled paper painting from Japan.

'Bayeux plays a very big role in the history of Normandy,' remarks Andrea Soelter, a representative of the region at the French Tourism Authority's office in Frankfurt.

The city possesses many still well-preserved historical treasures. The cathedral, an imposing example of the Norman Gothic style, is now the setting for a light- and sound show.

At dusk each evening, colourful beams of light play upon the surface of the architecture, while off in the background, the facade of the Hotel du Doyen is the screen on which a history film is projected.

Events and exhibitions in Crevecoeur-en-Auge, Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives and Rouen are also bringing the past back to life. In Abbaye de St. Pierre (September 10 and 11) visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of folksy mediaeval markets.

In Rouen, rabbit and chicken pies, garnished with dates and plums, are the feature dish of a Middle Ages-era meal served from August 20 to September 17.

After such replenishment, visitors can then take a guided tour following the trial of the Dukes of Normandy.

One of the stopping points is the Rouen Cathedral. It is here that Rollo the Viking has his final resting place. Just where his famous amulet is hidden is something which the tour participants have to try to find out in a scavenger hunt.

The search for the object made of gold, silver and precious stones runs through the end of August. Tips can be found in 43 locations and monuments around Normandy.