NATALYA KRASNOVA  Accredited Guide to Medieval Normandy 

• Master's degree in Medieval History

• Caen University Diploma in Normandy Studies

• Licensed tourist guide, Normandy region

• Master's Degree in Letters. Fluent in English and French, native in Russian

My guiding philosophy rests on three pillars:

• Historical Accuracy — commitment to academic research, primary sources, and archaeological evidence.

• Providing an Additional Dimension to Understanding Medieval History — helping visitors "read" the language of light, shape, and iconography as medieval people intended when creating these edifices.

• Respect for Every Visitor — the content of each visit is adapted to the visitor's age, background, beliefs and particular requirements

Not at all. Medieval churches were shaped by a Christian worldview that structured time, space, art, and every aspect of daily life. This worldview is a historical fact and a key to understanding both the buildings and the era in which they were created.

We explore what motivated the builders, why vast resources were placed at their disposal, how meaning was encoded in stone, light, and proportion, and why these messages mattered so deeply to medieval society. 

This approach allows everyone to access an indelible part of European history and its cultural heritage.

No. Quite the opposite -- I find factual history far more fascinating than any speculative theory, and during the visit I will share with you some astonishing latest findings, that open up yet another exciting vista for research! 

That said, even speculative theories can themselves be studied. I can give you some examples of popular myths about Mont Saint-Michel, for instance, and examine their sociological and psychological origins.

Absolutely! As a matter of fact, they are my favorite visitors :)

I have extensive experience with children, as a mother of three and a former teacher in middle school and college.

I use a method that explains history in simple, essential terms, without overwhelming kids with dates or names. Often, children grasp the visual language more quickly than adults. Many parents report that their children continue to talk about light, symbols, and “words in stone” long after the visit.

Please tell me the age and interests of your children, and I will adapt the stories accordingly.

Definitely — even if you have no prior experience with history! 

I can relate, because for much of my early life I used to prefer math to history:)  It will be my pleasure to help you grasp the essential concepts without overwhelming you with dates and names.

Here’s my promise: after the visit, you’ll be able to identify a church’s architectural style from a hundred meters away and have an idea of what was happening when it was built.

Who knows — you might even become a history fan!