The larger town of Orbec, 19km southeast of Lisieux, also epitomizes the simple pleasures of the region. Along the rue Grande, you'll see several houses in which the gaps between the timbers are filled with intricate patterns of coloured tiles and bricks. Debussy composed 'Jardin sous la Pluie' in one of these, and the oldest and prettiest is a tanners house dating back to 1568, which holds a museum of local history.

• Telefoon +(0)2 31 32 56 68
• E-mail mairie@orbec.fr
• Adress Rue Grande, 14290 Orbec
• Website http://www.orbec.fr/