L'Auvergne
A peaceful rural retreat in Normandy
L'Auvergne looks across a gently-sloping valley, dotted with oak coppices and meadows of beautiful cream and brown Normandy cows - les vaches Normandes.
L'Auvergne is home to Toulouse geese, Muscovy ducks and often ducklings and nests of eggs - hatching in spring and early summer. Two dairy and beef suckler herd farms lie on either side of the meadow with outdoor calving.
The self-contained holiday accommodation, with private meadow area for guests, adjoins the owners' 18th century stone farm cottage. Spectacular night skies (no light pollution) and deserted lanes, beginning with a bridle path only accessible on foot or by bicycle – in spring and summer carpeted with foxgloves, primroses, wild orchids and honeysuckle.
Popular with walkers and naturalists, the valley boasts barn owls, tawny owls, buzzards and sparrow hawks, not to mention pine martens, weasels, stoats, hares and wild boar - snuffling along the chemins at night, digging up acorns. Excellent local markets Mon-Sat.
Accommodation
- Bedrooms - Bedroom 1 with double bed. Bedroom 2 with double bed/single bed. Bedroom 3/playroom with table tennis etc - spacious and light with double sofa/bed and two folding singles.
- Bathrooms - Two bedrooms/bathroom are on ground floor. The shower room has a generous sized shower and a large rolltop washbasin. Electric towel rail. We have a baby-bath available. The separate WC has a washbasin. Child seat/step/potty if needed.
- Kitchen - Spacious kitchen area on first floor, with generous work surfaces and cupboard space, gas hob, electric fan oven, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, coffeemaker.
- Living area - Large loft-style living room (7m x 5m) / kitchen on first floor. Stable-door to private meadow via short staircase. TV (French terrestrial channels only), DVD and radio/CD player. Wi-Fi Internet. Comfortable sofas with dining area seating for 10.
- Other - The third bedroom/playroom leads from kitchen/living area - ideal for keeping an eye on younger children, with table tennis, children's toys/games plus a comfortable double sofabed and two folding single beds; lovely views over duck garden and meadows.
- Cleaning/towels/Linen/maid service - Bedlinen/kitchen-linen/towels are not supplied but may be hired (Linen €10/towels €5 per person). The property is cleaned before each booking.
Notes on accommodation
L'Auvergne is virtually traffic free. We are situated at the end of a long lane serving one farm and our property. No through traffic except the occasional tractor. Children are able to explore the bridle path that continues from l'Auvergne and enjoy space to run without having to watch out for vehicles. Electric heating in all rooms. Stair gates available on request. Stable door in living room doubles as stair gate to steps to private meadow area. Parking for 3 cars.
L'Auvergne is intended to be as eco-friendly as possible. All cleaning products are bio-degradable and certified as such. The cottage is well-insulated and designed with an upstairs living area to give maximum naturally convected warmth and natural light. We offer a bicycle collection/hire service so that guests can choose to give their cars a holiday too. Local, free-range poultry and eggs available. Organic meat available from local farm shop.
Special interest holidays
L'Auvergne is ideal for as a writers' retreat with a good Wifi Internet connection. Longer term lets available out of season at reduced rental price. If guests are interested in ducks and geese, we have a small flock of Muscovy ducks and their yearly offspring and a pair of 'retired' geese. We are happy to share our experience of rearing, feeding, breeding, water courses/ponds and how to give domestic waterfowl a free-range life while maintaining and enjoying a flower-garden and vegetable plot.
Distances
Besneville village is around 2km from l'Auvergne with a butcher, a baker and small general store/bar. On Sundays in summer months the butcher has a wood-fired rotisserie. St Sauveur le Vicomte and Portbail are equidistant from Besneville, both having much character and a range of small epiceries or larger supermarkets. There is a market to be found locally every day of the week except Sunday. Besneville is only approximately 3kms from the forest at St Sauveur le Vicomte with an arboretum.
Guest comments
'This Normandy cottage is perfect, set in a quiet rural hamlet but only 10 minutes drive from the ocean, shopping and great restaurants. The cottage is comfortable and so well appointed that we felt we would be happy to live there. We highly recommend a stay at L'auvergne!' Lynda Bergsma and Richard Rohrdanz.
'We had such a lovely time in your gorgeous gite - it is so comfortable and well equipped and in such a wonderful location (we really enjoyed the tranquility and absence of traffic noise!)' Liz F, Bromley, Kent.
'We heard a French resident nearby refer to the valley of l'Auvergne as a 'coin du paradis'. We agree.' Mr and Mrs J, Marlborough, UK.
'Wonderful walks and extremely comfortable accommodation. A truly restful holiday.' Miss S and Mr N.
