Location: Villedieu-Les-Poeles, Lower-Normandy, France, Europe (Mont St. Michel 45 min, 1 hr. from D-Day Beaches & St. Malo)
Accommodations: Country Manor, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Baths (Sleeps 7)
This 17th century country manor on an acre of landscaped gardens has been in the family for 2 generations. Much love and attention for authenticity has gone into the restoration projects of both generations. Do visit our personal website to get the flavor and history of this beautiful home. You’ll see lots of photos inside and out.
This is a terrific place for families or friends traveling together or a romantic getaway for a couple. Two comfortable recently remodeled rooms with private baths, with family suite available. All of the bedrooms are located on the 2nd floor. The stairway is a gentle one but we can help you with your lugguage. Each room has its unique view changing with the seasons of course.
Breakfast is served in the classic dining room overlooking the gardens.
Guests are welcome to relax in our living room with its large granite fireplace to enjoy a book, snack or beverage. We have a variety of books in English or French for you to borrow as well as much tourist information about the area including the local market days. When the weather is inviting the garden table and chairs under the Magnolia tree are a great place to relax and even enjoy a picnic lunch or dinner that you might bring back from a neighboring village just a few miles away. We would be happy to direct you to our favorite shops.
Feel free to discover the “parc” with its variety of trees, bushes and flowers. We have a passion for gardening and landscaping and would love for you to enjoy the fruits of our labors.
Of course as we’re in the countryside you’ll need a car. We encourage you to arrive during daylight hours to get the full effect of your arrival in this unique setting. That will give you a chance to settle in before going out to discover the area. You can even take the short walk (10-15 min.) on a country lane to the village. Our favorite beach is only 20 minutes away in St Martin de Bréhal. Just a bit further from us is Granville whose beach features a sea-fed swimming pool- nice for the kids when the tide is too far out to swim. (We can clue you in on the tide schedule too.) If you like fine cuisine, you’re in for a treat in Normandy. The variety of fish and seafood is tremendous and the displays at the local markets a feast for the eyes. We will share with you some of our favorite restaurants not far from us.
The location is great as a base for numerous day trips in Normandy or into Brittany.
The star attraction of the area is the Mont St Michel. It is possible to visit it at night if you make reservations as space is limited for these visits. And while you're in Normandy you might want to continue into Brittany to see the fortifications in Fougeres, Dinan or St Malo. in the Spring you can take in the annual jazz festival Jazz sous les Pommiers (jazz under the apple trees) in Coutances just north of us. Branford Marsalis' performance last year was great. June of course features the various D-Day celebrations throughout Lower- Normandy. Villedieu-les-Poêles close by is a lovely town spared from damage during the war with narrow streets, courtyards, a bell-foundry, and many delightful copperware shops. A destination for European travelers. And on Tuesdays a market you don't want to miss.
French schools are on vacation the beginning of July when activities of all types compete for one's attention. In July in Lessay,at a restored 12th century abbey is held a classical music festival. In St-Lo Polyfollia offers an International Choir Festival every other year and this 2010 end of October is the year. In Coutances there are concerts given during the summer at interesting private homes, usually manor houses or castles as well as unique churches. These concerts are called Musique à Demeure. We have attended many of them Most enjoyable and inexpensive besides!
A great festivity is the Calvados Distillation festival at the Farm in Meurdraquière. It lasts 3 days, August 4th, 5th and 6th. Food, dancing, and local apple products for sale. And in Gavray in mid-July is the Marché Normand. More details on our personal website noted below .
Our part of Normandy is well-known for its equestrian excellence. The breed of horses known as "Selle français" has its origins here. There are numerous stud farms, jumping events with some of the best riders of France, outstanding trotters, many opportunities for horseback riding, and in St. Lo about 1/2 hour from the Manoir is held The Normandy Horse Show. It is always mid-August. It was recently announced that the World Equestian Events will we held in Normandy in 2014.
And in September you can enjoy the national days of "Patrimoine"(heritage) the weekend of September 19-20 this year. Our Manoir was featured on the Saturday tour in 2008 for the mosaic floors created by Jean-Pierre Bissey (Daniel's father- see our personal website for additional information). The theme that year was contemporary creation within a historical site. A magnificent detail of one of the floors proclaims the "Journées du Patrimoine" on the front page of the brochures found in our local tourist offices promoting this weekend.
Every year in October is the ever popular Foire St Luc in Gavray just 5 kilometers from us. The fair lasts 3 days with many fine horses and poneys for sale, lots of stands as well as a market and agricultural equipment.
We encourage you to come relax in the quiet of the countryside. We think you will find it a peaceful place. Let your Franco-American hosts treat you to a real French country experience in the heart of French dairy-farming country where small, bucolic farms are the norm.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed: 1 in each of our 3 rooms
- Twin/Single Bed: When additional bed is needed, can be added to La Fontaine
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio: A large wood outdoor table and chairs seating 6 is available for outdoor dining or relaxing.
- View/Location
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details
- Other Amenities
- Guests are welcome to relax in our newly remodeled living room with large granite fireplace. For professional musicians a study piano is available.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Sailing
- Boating
- Shelling
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
Rate Details (In Euros)
Nightly Rates .. €50 Molière, €55 La Fontaine €85 Family Suite
Seven (7) Nights, One (1) Night Free.
Weekly Rates .. €300-€510/week
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2002
Why the Owner Chose Villedieu-Les-Poeles
We are a Franco-American couple. When Daniel's father was going to sell the Manoir, we decided we would buy the property to keep it in the family. We had previously wanted to buy a small house in the countyside as it is such a beautiful area with a pleasant climate, great swimming at the Channel beaches nearby, and so many historic sites to visit. As it turned out we now have a big house! So we are restoring it little by little and want to share this place with you.
The Unique Benefits of this Country Manor
When we stay here we enjoy participating in the village activities. Being so centrally located when friends or family come we show them the Mont St Michel, the D-Day beaches and if with us on Tuesday we go to the market in Villedieu-les-Poêles. We also make sure we spend some time just sitting in the "parc" enjoying the quiet.
Property Photos
- Le Manoir du Mesnil-Villeman - Normandy, France Holiday Rental
- Our garden table where you can relax - Normandy, France Holiday Rental
- La Fontaine - Normandy, France Holiday Rental
- Lulli room overlooking the pond is rented only as part of the Family Suite
- Living room with granite fireplace for our guests to enjoy
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #87842
There have been 9439 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2006.
This listing was first published here in 2006.
Date last modified - January 29, 2010
