Le Mesnil Gonfroy and La Germainiere are stunning farmhouses, beautifully equipped with everything you need for a special out of season break. Each house has great character, full central heating and magnificent Normandy fireplace ideal for a cosy evening with a book and a glass of local wine or cider.

Explore the breathtaking coast, interesting villages and towns nearby. If you feel energetic walk some of the many old droves which criss-cross the pretty countryside known as bocage with its amazing wild flowers, wildlife and spotty Normandy cows. You may instead prefer to go horse riding from a choice of local stables.

Soak up the local atmosphere at one of the many markets or Vide Greniers (a big car boot sale) in perhaps Villedieu les Poeles, Gavray or Coutances with its stunning medieval cathedral.

If you enjoy fish and seafood you are in for a treat. There are many very good, reasonable restaurants serving delicious local specialities from salt marsh lamb, or local pork and beef to mussels, oysters, crab and freshly caught fish. The coast is one of the biggest mussel and oyster producers in the world.

Easy to reach- if travelling from the UK , Brittany Ferries have excellent services from Portsmouth or Poole to Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo all under 90 minutes easy drive to either house. The crossing can be part of the holiday with a delicious meal in the restaurant. Take advantage of the discounts we offer on crossings of at least 20% for any number of cars and passengers.

Short breaks are available to book any time between the end of October and the end of April (except Christmas and New Year) and at other times within four weeks of the holiday.

The price for an out of season break at Le Mesnil Gonfroy is £190 per night (minimum of 3 nights stay).

The price for an out of season break at La Germainiere is £175 per night (minimum of 3 nights stay).

Getting to Normandy is so easy as there are several ferries a day from Portsmouth and Poole to Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo. From any of the ports it takes less than 90 minutes to either house on lovely uncrowded French roads, taking all the stress out of the start of your holiday.

Excellent restaurants or brasseries serve delicious meals on the big ferries where you can also reserve an inexpensive cabin. There are films to watch and in the Summer conjurers entertain the children. It is magical to be on deck and see all the famous landmarks as you leave Portsmouth or Poole. 

We are happy to accept dogs at our farmhouses by arrangement, and, as long as they have passports, they can be taken on the ferries. They stay in the car for the journey. Before returning, they have to be injected against ticks and fleas by a local vet who we can recommend (details supplied on request) and have their passports stamped 24-48 hours before the return crossing.

Anyone with mobility problems is well catered for too. The ferries are fully wheelchair accessible with the large ones having cabins suitable for wheelchair users. 

Enjoy your crossing with Brittany Ferries. It is a lovely relaxing start to your holiday.

Details of many Normandy walks are available in our farmhouses.

This is much more than an English car boot sale. The whole village closes its streets and there are dozens, sometimes hundreds, of stalls selling bric a brac, clothes and food. It is a whole day affair with many stalls selling huge Normandy sausages and plenty of tents selling beer and cider. The day frequently ends with a barbecue, dancing and even fireworks!

Vide Greniers happen every weekend during the Summer and full details of these can be found in our farmhouses.

There are also many local markets and extra ones by the sea in the summer:

Gavray                  -Wednesday                – Calf Market and a few stalls

                                 -Saturday                     – ‘Pannier’  Market

Brehal                                                              -  Has a street market with lots of local produce

Roncey                 - Friday                           – Village market

Villedieu              - Tuesday                       – Quite a big Street market

Cerences              - Thursday                     – Small village market

 Coutances           -Thursday                     – Street market in roads below Cathedral

Hambye               – Tuesday & Friday    – Small village market

St Pair Sur Mer – Thursday                    – Attractive seaside town south of Granville

We love it and if you do you’re in for a real treat! With the largest mussel beds in Europe, acres of oysters, crabs, palourdes and praires (clams), boulots (whelks), bigorneaux (winkles), ormeaux (ormers) huge prawns and shrimps, this is the area to come to enjoy some of the best seafood in the world.

We frequently order a large platter of fruits de mer (shellfish) from the local supermarket. It is a huge treat and so reasonable. None of us can afford to buy oysters etc. at home, but here they are a starter on many menus and are always so fresh. Delicious!

If you are dining out while staying at our farmhouses then we can recommend:

• La Passerelle situated at Les Salines near Brehal and overlooking the coastal salt marshes, specialising in fish and seafood.
• Les Fruitiers at Villedieu Les Poeles, a very French restaurant and bistro serving excellent seafood and other local specialities.

Come and join the locals hunting for shell fish, crabs and flatfish at low tide – a great and popular Normandy pastime. Why not go to the Centre Nature at St Martin de Brehal to learn all the traditions of this very French pastime.

It’s lovely to come home with a full bucket of shellfish to cook, with perhaps garlic and cream, for supper.

All you need is a bucket and rake. Children will love it!

Full details in our farmhouses.