Pretty Two Bedroom Gite in Farmhouse Close to Ferries

La Grande Logerie details

Home description

La Logerie is a traditional Normandy Longhouse (Longere), set just outside the small village of Le Chefresne in the heart of the Normandy countryside. Decorated in typical local style by the current owners, the house is divided into three self-contained units, or gites. One of these, La Grande Logerie, is available to rent all year round.

The village of Le Chefresne is easily accessible to all travelers from both the U.K. and Ireland, as it is only one and a half hour's drive from the port of Cherbourg, and 50 minutes drive from Caen. La Grande Logerie is peaceful and tranquil and offers a respite for the city visitor; with a barbecue, garden furniture, and bicycles for all ages provided for visitors. Tennis racquets are also available to visitors for use on the village tennis court, which is free to use.

If a lazy holiday is your idea of fun, there is plenty of space around La Logerie in which to enjoy your leisure time. The large garden to the front of the house is an ideal place to sit and sip a glass of wine, while the field to the side of the house, bordered by beautiful views of the surrounding countryside is an ideal place for a picnic. The garden contains a large splash-pool (5 metres across) and swings, see-saw and sandpit for children, in addition to a selection of footballs, buckets and spades, and water toys. You will need to bring very little with you for small children!

For the more adventurous visitor, the central location of Le Chefresne means one is never far from the many attractions of Basse (Lower) Normandy, including the seaside town of Granville with its bustling Saturday market  (a fish lover's paradise!) and wonderful walled 'old town; the world famous Mont St. Michel; and for those interested in history, both the British and American cemeteries for soldiers killed during the 'D'Day' invasion of Normandy are within easy reach.

Below please find details for the accommodation at La Grande Logerie. The owners hope you will be tempted to visit, and all enquiries are very welcome.

Accommodation detail

La Grande Logerie 

Sleeps four persons, plus baby or small child. Camping bed provided for additional adult if requested.

Downstairs

• Spacious living room/kitchen - renovated in French Farmhouse style, with white rough-plastered walls, wooden wainscoting, and oak furniture typical of the region. A particular feature of the room is the huge original granite fireplace, found in many old houses in the locality. The fireplace also contains a cast-iron wood-burning poele, perfect for toasting the toes at cooler times of year. From October to April, gas central heating is included in the gite rental tariff. The gite is fully equipped with fridge, microwave, gas cooker, and washing machine (situated in the 'cave' at the end of the building). An ample selection of crockery, wine glasses, cookware, and kitchen utensils is supplied, in addition to hairdryer, iron and ironing board for guests' use. For Irish and British guests, adaptor plugs for any small traveling appliances are always available at the gite. Mobile adaptors available also (Nokia, Sony Ericcson)

Upstairs

• Bedroom 1 - Double bedroom with oak double bed, side table, wardrobe, and chest of drawers. The room has an attractive painted wooden fireplace and large double windows.
• Bedroom 2 - This room is furnished with pine bunk-beds, wardrobe with drawers, and bedside table. Bunk-beds are adult size, making this a 'flexible' room for all ages.
• Shower Room - tiled room with shower, toilet, and hand-basin. The shower is high pressured, with constant hot water supply, and a laundry-basket is supplied for guests' use.

La Grande Logerie has original oak floors and oak ceiling beams.

What to bring with you to the Gite

Just bring yourselves, as all bedlinen and household linen is supplied.  Cots and high chairs are available for those who need them, but please let the owners know when booking.

About the location

Exploring the wider area

Le Chefresne is very conveniently located to explore the surrounding area. The 'copper capital' of France, Villedieu de Poeles, is only a 15 minute drive away. This quaint town is particularly beautiful in the summer months, with abundance of flowers everywhere. See the famous bell foundry, or visit one of the artisan copper makers to see the experts at work. All of the copper utensils and ornaments made in the town are on sale in the local shops at very affordable prices.

Villedieu has a number of good restaurants, from the traditional Normandy cuisine, to a Belgian 'Friterie' and an Italian Trattoria. The owners particularly recommend the restaurant attached to the town's Irish Bar, the 'Pussoir Fidele', situated in the older part of the town, lying below the main street. Here you will be served a 4 course meal using the best local produce, including wonderful cheese from the region, for about 15 Euros per head. So popular has this restaurant become that it is advised to book on Friday and Saturday nights. If a more up-market eating experience is to your liking, both the Hotel St. Pierre and Hotel Le Fruitier offer superb dining experiences.

The Villedieu Tuesday market must not be missed, the range of charcuterie, cheeses and other local delicacies is wonderful. Visit also the towns Irish bar, the 'Pussoir Fidele'.

Before you leave Villedieu, take a trip to the beautiful Zoo at Champrepus, just 10 minutes outside the town on the road to Granville.

Mont St.Michel, the 'Eighth Wonder of the World' is only 50 minutes from Le Chefresne. Stop for a bite to eat in one of the many small restaurants you pass on the journey, or even enjoy some food on the Mont itself.

In the opposite direction, just 30 minutes south-west of Villedieu, is the well-known seaside resort of Granville, with it's many restaurants and specialty shops. Walk through the old town and marvel at the views. Enjoy a swim at the spectacular beach, or drive on further to the unspoilt beaches of La Carolles and Joulouville.

Visit Coutances, with its beautiful botanical gardens and cathedral. This large but pretty town is only a half-hour's drive from the village. Take a walk through the perfectly preserved 'old town', and visit the museum and art gallery.

The departmental capital of St. Lo is 22 kilometres from Le Chefresne, and worth a visit. Perhaps not immediately an attractive town, it has much to recommend it. 97% of the town was destroyed during the bombing in the 2nd World War, and it is remarkable that the ancient walls were left virtually untouched. St. Lo is also a busy commercial town, with a good range of shops.

The owners would also recommend the Saturday market in St. Lo, where clothes, crafts and bric a brac are available in addition to a wonderful supply of home grown and cooked vegetables and farm produce.

No visit to this part of Normandy is complete without visiting the American and British war cemeteries, and the Normandy landing beaches. These are situated North of St. Lo, approximately one hour's drive from Le Chefresne. Take in the town of Bayeux en route, with its world famous tapestry.

For a wide range of shopping and restaurant facilities, we would suggest that you visit Caen, about 50 minutes drive away. See the spectacular Marie and old cathedral, and the beautifully preserved old quarter. Enjoy 'people watching' at one of the many pavement cafes and restaurants.

Last, but not least, we must mention Percy, the nearest 'big village' to Le Chefresne. Only 3 km away, this is where you will need to go for banks, post office, hairdressers and other services. Drop into the 'Bar du Liberty' for a grand café or a glass of wine, or a lunchtime sandwich. Percy also has an excellent family run restaurant, 'Les Gourmets'. This is a popular spot, so booking is advised.

Further afield

You may want a weekend in Paris during your stay. Driving up the autoroute will take you about two and three quarter hours. A more relaxing alternative would be to take the very pleasant train journey instead - the ideal way to see more of the Normandy countryside. Trains leave three times daily from Villedieu des Poeles and St. Lo. Alternatively, you can drive to Caen, leave your car and take the TGV to Paris which takes just over an hour.

The city of Rouen, site of Joan of Arc's execution, is roughly two hours drive from Le Chefresne, in the direction of Paris. This city has in our view the most spectacular old quarter, perfectly preserved. See the wonderful Clocktower, where the clock has just one hand. Have a meal in one of the many restaurants in Square Jeanne d'Arc.

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

Activities near by

Boules, Cycling, Gourmet dining, Rambling, Sea excursions, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Tennis, Walking

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

How to get here

Ferry may be an excellent option for visitors from both Ireland and England, as Le Chefresne is at the Southern tip of the Cherbourg Peninsula,and is easily accesible by ferry from both Ireland (Rosslare Cherbourg) and the UK (Portsmouth/Cherbourg, Portsmouth/Caen). If guests prefer to fly, there are direct flights from both the UK and Ireland to Beauvais (Ryanair) and Charles de Gaulle Paris (National carriers). Car hire is easily available at both airports and the drive to Le Chefresne is approx three hours.

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