Coming down from Calais – the WW1 Battlefields
ARRAS & VIMY RIDGE – the WWI BATTLEFIELDS 109km/68 miles 1 hr 8min drive from Calais to Vimy Ridge then a further 93kms/58 mile 57 min drive to Villers Bretonneux 312km/194 miles/ 3hr drive from Villers-Bretonneux to the Haras du Gazon Vimy Ridge in northern France is Canada’s largest overseas national memorial. Whereas the French, right after the war, attempted to erase all signs of battle and return the Somme region to agriculture and normalcy, the Canadians decided that the most evocative way to remember their fallen was to preserve pieces of the crater pocked battlefields. As a...
Read MoreArtisan d’Art : Dominic Stora
Artisan d’art: Dominic Stora , the last French maker of kaleidescopes, is in the picturesque Normandy village of Beaumont -en- Auge This is his story of how it all came about: “Après la Pluie” is the name of the shop selling antiques and books that my wife and I opened in 1976 in a small village in Normandy. Some of our clients, who loved vintage toys, regularly asked for kaleidoscopes, and we were curious to see what we could find to satisfy them. We quickly realised that the few antique kaleidoscopes available were as expensive as they were disappointing. The contemporary...
Read MoreWinter in Normandy
Normandy has a maritime climate with warm summers and mild winters. Rain is a part of the climate all year round—with winter seeing more rain than summer. The ongoing rain isn’t enough to spoil a vacation most of the time and it does have a benefit— the nature is incredibly lush and green. Winter does see the occasional snow and frost as well, but the climate is generally fairly mild even in the winter months. Christmas /New Year and the February half term are both popular times to visit the Haras du Gazon – the gites are cosy and many tourist attractions are open throughout the year. For...
Read MoreThe French Picnic – Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe
The French LOVE to picnic and will dine outdoors at any opportunity. A leisurely meal, shared with friends and family, is aimed at combining the enjoyment and appreciation of good food, beautiful weather and glorious natural surroundings – all which play a part in defining their country and culture. Le pique-nique is not the same as a snack or packed lunch (le casse-croûte), which is just eating to fuel the body. It is a proper meal with several courses and wine, preferably served in a glass! Attention is also given to presentation with rustic style –la table champêtre- checked tablecloths...
Read MoreShopping for Antiques in Normandy
ANTIQUE SHOPPING in NORMANDY. Markets, Shops, Tours. Markets in Calvados: Check out the www.brocabac.fr & www.antiquites-catalogue.com sites. (We are on the border of the Calvados & Orne Departments, so worth checking both): For example this an example of a search for specific dates of a visit http://brocabrac.fr/index.php?dept=14&limite=260. You could also search http://www.antiquites-catalogue.com/pratique/calendrier-salons-antiquaires/?region=Basse-Normandie. On Every First Sunday of the Month – there are Antique markets in St Pierre sur Dives,( 35km – 22 miles- 30 min...
Read MoreReview Roundup – A Time for Reflection
As we look back over the past year and forward to the New Year we would like to thank all our guests who have taken the time to post reviews about their stay at the Haras du Gazon. ‘Lovely gite, peaceful location, but plenty to do’ Stayed in late August with 4 adults and 2 young children, which worked really well in the gite. There was plenty for the kids to do – swimming, feeding the horses, games room etc, but also tranquility and a relaxing place for the adults. The gite was really well equipped, with everything we could have needed, and the owners were really helpful,...
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
