Gite and Bed & Breakfast in a Traditional Normandy Farmhouse

The Gite details

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The property enjoys a tranquil setting

The exterior of the property

The grounds

Home description

The Haven is an old, south-facing, stone farmhouse with lots of character, which has been renovated to provide comfortable accommodation, whilst retaining many of the original features. It is on an elevated site, on the outskirts of a small hamlet, in unspoilt, rolling countryside halfway between St Lo and Mont St Michel.

For B&B guests, the main house offers: One double room, overlooking garden, with en-suite facilities; One triple room, overlooking garden, with en-suite facilities; One children's room with 2 single beds (adjacent to triple room above).  For self-catering guests, the old stable building at one end of the farmhouse has been converted into a self-catering gite for 2-4 people. The farmhouse itself is also available to rent from time to time, as a self-catering unit  (contact owners for details).

Both the farmhouse and gite have beautiful, south-facing, views over mature gardens and the countryside beyond. There is a wildlife area with fish pond, and a large organic vegetable garden, where self-catering guests can pick their own vegetables. A barbecue is available and, in good weather, meals can be eaten outside under the apple trees.  The orchard and back paddock are often used by the local farmer for grazing his sheep and lambs. 

The following additional facilities are also available at The Haven if booked in advance (please contact owner for price details):

• Beginners' French lessons
• Relaxation therapies (Aromatherapy, Indian head massage, Reiki)
• Use of yoga/meditation room
• Help with house-hunting, planning applications, translations, etc.    

Accommodation detail

The double bedroom

The kitchen with dining area

Bright sitting room, with sofa bed and balcony

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The gite is on 3 levels:

Ground Floor

• A sunny, spacious kitchen-diner, well-equipped for up to 4 people, with cooker, fridge/freezer, washing machine, microwave oven, electric kettle and toaster.

First Floor

• Very light sitting room, carpeted, with double French doors leading to a small balcony, overlooking the garden and views. Comfortable, double sofa bed, Sky TV, radio/cassette player, CD/DVD player, games/jigsaws, books, and tourist guides. For guests using the sofa bed, there is a hanging recess for clothes, and ample drawer space.

Second Floor

An open-plan staircase leads directly to upper floor bedroom (no door), as follows:

• Carpeted, double bedroom with en-suite bath/shower room. Exposed beams. Panoramic views.

About the location

The Haven is on the outskirts of a small, friendly hamlet - Le Mesnil Sauvage (The Wild Garden). It is dairy farming and cider apple country, with gently undulating hills, green valleys, and many lakes and rivers – an area of great natural beauty. The village of Montbray is about a mile away, with its impressive Mairie (the old chateau), bakery, general store, bar/café, and garage.

Villedieu-les-Poeles, the nearest market town, is less than 15 mins drive. This is a bustling, colourful town, particularly well-known for its copper workshops, some of which date back to the 12th century. There are also pewter, lace, pottery, and clock workshops, together with museums and even a bell foundry.  Villedieu is architecturally intact, with medieval courtyards and a picturesque canal winding its way through the town.  It has been called “le fleuron du patrimoine artisanal normand” (the jewel of Norman artisanal heritage).  There are many shops, cafes and restaurants, and every Tuesday morning there is a bustling outdoor market.  There are guided tours during the summer months. 

Within half an hour’s drive of Villedieu-les-Poeles is Granville, the nearest seaside town, with fishing port, marina, busy shopping centre, the Christian Dior gardens, and interesting Old Town.  There are many uncrowded, sandy beaches along the coast, to the north and south of Granville. From the port one can also take a day trip to the Isles of Chausey, or to Guernsey.

The Haven is approx. 45 minutes away from the miraculous Mont St Michel.    Bayeux (with its famous tapestry), and also the D-Day Landing beaches,  are about an hour's drive away.  Also within easy driving distance are the towns of Coutances (with its beautiful cathedral and annual jazz festival), Avranches, Rennes, and St Malo.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Boating, Boules, Canoeing, Cycling, Fishing, Golf, Gourmet dining, Horse riding, Rambling, Sailing, Sea excursions, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Tennis, Theme parks, Tree adventure park, Walking, Water sports, Wine tasting

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

The Haven is easily accessible by car from the Channel ports of Cherbourg (1.5 hrs), Caen (less than an hour), or Le Havre (1.45 hrs). The A.84 motorway from Caen (Junction 38) is only 10-15 mins away.

There is a good choice of airports, as follows:

Dinard (Plertuis) - approx. 1.5 hrs - Ryanair fly from London Stanstead, Bristol, and E. Midlands

Rennes - approx. 1.25 hrs - Flybe fly from Southampton, Manchester, and Exeter

Caen - approx. 1 hr - Skysouth fly 3 times weekly from Shoreham (Brighton)

For those not coming by car or plane, there is a direct train service from Paris to Villedieu-les-Poeles (3 hours).

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.