Souvenir shopping in Normandy
Shopping for Souvenirs and Gifts in Normandy: ‘Achats Plaisir’ When it’s time to go home , why not spend a half day shopping for memories… (Picture of a shop in Honfleur by Paul Indigo on 500px.com) FOOD Cheese: Supermarkets and also local producers e.g. Graindorge (at Livarot, 14140) Cider: Supermarkets and also local producers e.g. La ferme du Bisson (61210 Bazoches au Houlme) Calvados: Supermarkets & also local producers e.g. Calvados Dupont ( Victot-Pontfol 14430) Wine & Liqueurs: Supermarkets – Take a look at...
read moreThe Normandy Beaches in One day
Remembering the 2,052,299 Allied Troops who came ashore following D-Day: 6th June 1944. If you only have one day, I’d spend it entirely on the exciting sites and upgraded museums along the beaches, and if you want to squeeze in the excellent Caen Memorial Museum,visit it on your way to or from the beaches (– but remember that the American Cemetery at Colleville closes at 18:00 May- Sept and and 17:00 Oct- April) – and you need at least 1.5 hrs. there. If you’re travelling by car, begin on the cliffs above Arromanches and see the movie at the...
read moreCycling ‘en famille’ in Normandy
FAMILY CYCLING HOLIDAY RESOURCES Normandy is good for cycling – there are varied types of landscapes to explore, the roads are quiet and motorists respectful of cyclists. We are near FALAISE on the border of 2 departements – Calvados & the Orne . For dedicated cycling routes I would recommend 3 Voie Vertes – in the region: Map of Voies Vertes (Greenways) in Calvados Calvados by bike Brochure: 2 closest greenways to the Haras. Route Numbers 11 & 12 pp22-24. (The Mezidon- Canon to Lisores section of the Véloroute Côte Fleurie Pays...
read moreIt’s Easy & Fun to go to Paris for the Day!
It’s a great idea to go to Paris for the day – (we don’t get time to go often enough!) It’s really easy. For a day’s sightseeing, think about an early start – the 07.17 from Argentan arrives in Paris at 09.16. Or go for lunch: the 10.19 arrives in Paris at 12.05. Or for dinner and maybe stay over a night: the 16.23 will get you there by 18.05. You can find the train timetable for Argentan – our local station- to Paris Montparnasse at http://www.voyages-sncf.com/#. The train times are on average about every 1 .5 to 2...
read moreRestaurant Recommendations – Où manger le dimanche?
RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUNDAYS & MONDAYS Many local restaurants are closed on Sunday & Monday evenings. These are our recommendations of those that are usually open. (Distances & driving times are from the Haras du Gazon.) Click on the links for more information. It’s always worthwhile calling to reserve a table, even if you do this on the same day. You tend to get a warmer welcome and you can confirm that the restaurant isn’t closed e.g. for annual holidays, random other circumstances etc. OPEN SUNDAYS Le...
read moreD-Day and the Battle of Normandy Remembered
D-DAY LANDINGS & the BATTLE OF NORMANDY MEMORIAL SITES. 1944: Le bel été de la Libération On June 6 every year and for 100 days after, there are very many events commemorating that day in 1944 when the Allies started their long planned invasion of German occupied France. The ensuing Battle of Normandy continued until the end of August when Allied troops crossed the Seine and entered Paris. Falaise, our local town, was liberated on August 16, 1944. Neuvy au Houlme, our village, was liberated at 8am GMT on August 20,...
read moreSo much to do and see in Normandy ! Spring 2014
TULIP FESTIVAL, Chateau de Vendeuvre, Vendeuvre, Calvados. Marvel at more than than 30000 tulips grape hyacynths and narcissi. (Until 30th April) ‘THE GOLDEN AGE OF DANISH PAINTING: A FRENCH COLLECTION ‘MuMa: André Malraux Museum of Modern Art, Le Havre, Seine Maritime. Some 200 paintings from major 19th century Danish artists on display.( Until 12th May) ‘LE TEMPS DES COLLECTIONS’ Exhibition. Rouen Fine Arts Museum, Seine-Maritime. Seven exhibitions from 18th century drawings and 19th century restored pastels...
read moreFree Food : A reluctant forager
I’ve never been keen on the free food and foraging idea. I know it’s been fashionable for a few years now, with Danish René Redzepi serving up blueberry and ants and snail shaped, snail mousse in the best (now second best) restaurant in the world : Noma. But here, in the fields of Normandy, we have what must be some of the best hedgerow berries ever this year, so I thought I could at least make a small start. This ‘Food for Free’ book I found on Amazon, with a shiny blackberry on the cover and passionate...
read moreAutumn evening in Normandy
I thought I’d show you the crab apple trees which form a colourful avenue on the drive in front of the office. They’re really beautiful, both in the spring; with a brilliant show of blossom and again in the autumn; with their masses of bright, red, tiny apples. It was getting late but I thought there’d be enough light to go up and take a portrait of the 4 year olds, who are relaxing in the field after some work in the school and popping over some little jumps during the week . It wasn’t good timing ;...
read moreAprès la pluie – le beau temps.
This evening, the sun came out (after the showers of the afternoon), so I disregarded all the 101 things I should be doing and went for a walk instead ,over to the Old Barn field: ‘La Cabane’ Heading out through the archway: I took the long gangway which leads directly to La Cabane: I didn’t want to disturb the mares and foals who are grazing over there. Horses don’t like visitors to their fields in the evening, when the light is fading and the ancient fear of predators overrides any recognition that it might be only me. So...
read moreI Love Normandy in the Autumn
For many, autumn is a favourite time to visit Normandy. The summer visitors have gone home, the prices go down and weather can be brilliant until the end of October. The bright light and clear blue skies of the long days of summer soften into misty mornings and high drifting clouds. The traditional local stone buildings almost seem to go into soft focus in autumn and the hedgerows fill up with sloes, wild rose hips, hawthorn fruits and delicious blackberries. Orchards hang heavy with apples and pears, mushrooms appear in the fields and...
read moreAnother beautiful autumn in Normandy
The Archway The entrance to the central courtyard of the Haras is framed by the two beautiful, horse and carriage sized, stone archways. The bell (which stays silent these days) used to summon the field workers back for ‘dejeuner’ and also mark the end of the day’s labour. It was an uplifting way to start the day to see the dawn break through the Haras du Gazon archway last weekend. The beautiful red climber is a Virginia Creeper, rather than a true ivy. After its glory days of autumn colour have faded, we’ll need to draw a line and...
read moreOur location
Near historic Falaise in central, rural Normandy, less than an hour from the English Channel coastWhere we are
Gite Almé
An inspired seamless blend of farmhouse style and spacious modern livingGite Baloubet
Comfortable open-plan space with spectacular mezzanine floor and balcony Gite Cor de la Brière
A picture postcard French orangerie style entrance invites you in Gite Double Espoir
Original oak beams and glorious garden and rural viewsGarden and grounds
Formal parterre and water lily garden, landscaped lake, 20m swimming pool, tennis courts and moreGarden and grounds
Lots to see and do
From medieval castles, Bayeux and D-Day beaches to donkey trekking, quad bikes, kayaking and fishingLocal area
A selection of reviews we've received from guests
