Local activities

Normandy is renowned for its outdoor pursuits, within the local area you can go mountain biking or walking all the way to Paris via the Grande Randonee. There are many equestrian centres catering to riders of all levels. Swimming and tennis facilities are also within 15 minutes drive of the cottages. This is just a flavour of the leisure pursuits available please see our leaflets for further inspiration.

Domfront

Domfront is a town steeped in history dating back to the 11th Century.

The main attractions to Domfront are the castle ruin and gardens and the Norman church.The medieval town itself retains its cobbled streets, secret courtyards and half timbered houses. Alongside this history can be found the grand Maires office and other manor houses.

If you wish to sample some of the local produce you will find plenty of bars and restaurants, catering for all tastes and pockets. From the restaurant 'gastronomique' to the reasonably priced local restaurants serving the 'plat du jour' a delicious pre-set three course meal of local fayre, this is usually served up with a cup of the local cider.

13kms
15 mins
Flers

Flers is the largest commercial town and just a short drive away.

Flers has something for everyone in the family, notably the new bowling alley and swimming pool with flumes.

Flers has several large supermarkets for stocking up on local produce and an excellent twice weekly market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. These markets sell everything from ducks and chickens to galettes (buckwheat pancakes) and plants.

The chateau at Flers is a haven of tranquility amongst the hustle and bustle of town life, and its grounds are well worth a visit.

16kms
18mins
Falaise

This small town is dominated by an enormous Anglo-Norman fortress, the birthplace of William the Conqueror. Stroll through the streets and admire the 17 & 18th century residences.

 

55kms
1hr
Le Mont St. Michel

The long history of Mont St Michel is thought to date back to 708, when Aubert, bishop of Avranches had a sanctuary built on Mont Tombe in honour of the archangel Michael. The Benedictines settled in the abbey in the 10th century, while a village grew up below its’ walls.

Classified as a historic monument in 1874, it underwent major restoration work.

Visitors can now experience the splendour of the abbey that people of the middle ages regarded as a representation of the heavenly Jerusalem on earth, an image of paradise.

The bay of Mont St Michel is also extremely beautiful, the tide is said to come in as fast as 'galloping horses'. Guided walks are given during the summer months tracing the steps of pilgrim forefathers.

Mont St Michel has been listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO since 1979.

 

72kms
1hr 15mins
d-day

Follow the history of the D-Day landings and the ‘battle of Normandy’. At Arromanches you will find the 360° cinema and war museum.

Visit the English, American and German cemeteries. Norman soil is the final resting place for almost 20,000 young soldiers who never returned.

 

74kms
1hr 15mins
Bayeux

Bayeux is a major tourist attraction, best known to British and French visitors for the Bayeux tapestry, made to commemorate the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The tapestry is believed to have been woven in England. It is displayed in a museum in the town centre. The large Norman-Romanesque Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Bayeux, consecrated in 1077, was the original home of the tapestry.

Amongst the charm of the town can be found the Général de Gaulle museum, the battle of Normandy museum, the cathedral, the Baron Gerard lace & porcelain museum, the museum of religious art, the clock workshop, the Bayeux lace conservatory and the British cemetery

 

85kms
1 hr 30mins
Caen

Just over an hour by car is this large fascinating town. A mix of old and new there is something for everyone. Alongside all the splendour and history of Caen is a great shopping centre with trendy boutiques and bars. The whole town is serviced by an efficient tram system.

Caen is known for its historical buildings built during the reign of William the Conqueror, who was buried here, and for the Battle for Caen—heavy fighting that took place in and around Caen during the Battle of Normandy in 1944, destroying much of the town.

In repentance for marrying his cousin Mathilda of Flanders, William ordered two abbeys to be built.

The Eglise de Ste.-Etienne, formerly the Abbaye aux Hommes (Men's Abbey). It was completed in 1063 and is dedicated to St Stephen. The current Hôtel de Ville (town hall) of Caen is built onto the South Transept of the building.

The Eglise de la Ste.-Trinité, formerly the Abbaye aux Dames (Women's Abbey). It was completed in 1060 and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The current seat of the regional council (conseil régional) of Basse-Normandie is nearby.

The castle, Château de Caen, built circa 1060 by William the Conqueror, who successfully conquered England in 1066, is one of the largest medieval fortresses of Western Europe. It remained an essential feature of Norman strategy and policy. At Christmas 1182 a royal court celebration for Christmas in the aula of Caen Castle brought together Henry II and his sons, Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland, receiving more than a thousand knights. Caen Castle, along with all of Normandy, was handed over to the French Crown in 1204. The castle saw several engagements during the Hundred Years' War (1346, 1417, 1450) and was in use as a barracks as late as World War II. Today, the castle serves as a museum that houses the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen (Museum of Fine Arts of Caen) and Musée de Normandie (Museum of Normandy) along with many periodical exhibitions about arts and history.

 

90kms
1hr 40mins

Testimonials

What a lovely place to honeymoon,

one week was not enough to explore this lovely area of France. We are already wondering when we can come back. Brown family

Such a wonderful spot,

for R & R. Thank you. We will be back. Dave and Emma

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