The Suisse Normande is a stretch of hilly countryside along the Orne and Rouvre rivers, roughly 20 kilometres southwest of Falaise. The name is an exaggeration — there are no Alps here — but the landscape genuinely is Normandy's most dramatic: forested ridges, deep river gorges, and rocky outcrops. The town of Clécy is the main base, with canoe rental on the Orne and walking trails above the cliffs.
From Falaise you can reach the heart of the Suisse Normande in around half an hour by car. It makes an easy afternoon or a full-day excursion from the town, combining well with the castle and museums in the morning.