Explore Normandy from a dog-friendly gîte
With historic beaches, towering chateaux, the tapestries of Bayeux and Rouen’s medieval centre, Normandy is a beautiful and fascinating place. While harbour cities like Honfleur can get busy, there are seaside villages of irresistible charm with very few visitors and away from the coast, the region is a green haven of gently rolling fields dotted with charming country houses. Idling in a dog-friendly, self-catering gîte is the best way to immerse yourself in the laid-back beauty of a Normandy adventure, so here are a few of our favourites.
Gîte de la Motte Féodale
A thoroughly elegant and spacious lodge with a long vaulted hall, a refectory table, another dining area up one level, and a lovely living room with a working fireplace and a corner kitchen. On rainy days, you can listen to music, read books by the fireside or slope off to your very own spa with a pool and jacuzzi. In summer, you’ll be glued to the deep terrace, eating meals at the enormous wooden table, firing up the Weber barbecue and admiring the views while your dog scampers in the big garden. You can walk three kilometres to the bakery in Acquigny, where there is also a beautiful château and nearby Louviers has a large street market on Saturdays, a small one on Wednesdays and lots of restaurants and shops.
Owner Vincent: The Motte Castrale of the site dates from around the 9th century when the Vikings invaded.
11 bis
On the Cherbourg Peninsula, a cosy house with a suntrap courtyard, two sweet bedrooms and restaurants a short stroll away. Bathrooms, beds and kitchen are fresh, the open-plan living area bright, and there’s a single room plus a country-cosy master room under the eaves, with stripped floorboards, feather bedding, and velux windows peeping out between the beams. Sit with a glass of cider in the courtyard and gaze at Bricquebec’s clock tower and the ramparts of one of Normandy’s best-preserved castles. You’re ringed by beaches, bird-filled marshes and superb walking trails for four legs and two. Don’t miss the Monday market, when stalls selling Trappe cheese and fresh fish line the medieval streets.
Owner Bridget: Delicious bakeries, friendly bars, fantastic beaches, wonderful markets, swimming pools and great restaurants on your doorstep! And the whole area is steeped in history.
La Chevalerie
In the family for over 20 years, this well-preserved Normandy manor house is furnished with great taste, seen in antique rugs on flagstone floors, gorgeous curtain fabrics, exposed beams, lovingly worn furniture. Dogs are welcome everywhere except the bedrooms. Two living rooms downstairs have cosy seating and open fires, there’s a full-size antique billiard table in the adjoining ‘Great Hall’ and a good collection of films on DVD. Mostly you’ll be out in the garden, discovering a beautiful shell house, eating al fresco by the brick-built barbecue and playing boules on the lawn. Stroll to the village (half a mile) for your morning croissants, take long walks, explore rural Normandy – the wonderful markets and wild beaches.
Inspector Nicky: A perfect place for a laid-back break with family and friends. We love the manor’s homely, historic charm and the tranquil setting.
Château Côte de Nacre
This handsome house is surrounded by ancient trees and feels secluded and peaceful, although the town square is a few minutes’ walk away and the nearest restaurant, a cheap and cheerful bistro called Le Sexton, is a 15-minute walk. The modern, light-filled apartments have well-equipped kitchens stocked with the basics, and natural, organic soaps and shampoo in the bathrooms. Dogs are welcomed with treats, bowls and beds. Owner Sandra lives in one wing with her family and there may be guests in the other apartments. Take the little rowing boat out on the lake, or visit the town or nearby beach. The garden has several barbecue areas facing the lake, and the small spa has an indoor pool, a sauna, and a cupboard stocked with toys and games.
Owner Sandra: Every day you can go for a walk to the port of Courseulles to buy fresh fish and barbecue in the garden.
Vive la France
This article is part of Vive la France, the home of inspiring itineraries and stories from travel writers and our team, to help you plan your next French adventure.
Written by
Carmen McCormack
Carmen is a freelance writer specialising in travel. She once lived in a bus in north Wales, skipped off to study in Barcelona, and now calls Bristol home. When she’s not tapping away on her laptop, she can be found reading (a lot), lake swimming (a little), and pottering on the allotment with husband and two kiddos. She’s currently dreaming about cold cerveza and torta in Mexico.
