Location: Villedieu-Les-Poeles, Lower-Normandy, France, Europe (Mont St. Michel 45 min, 1 hr. from D-Day Beaches & St. Malo)
Accommodations: Bed & Breakfast, 3 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 7)
Keywords: Country Manor
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 of our bedrooms comprise the Family Suite: La Fontaine, large classical room to which can be added a twin bed, has an adjoining bathroom with bathtub, toilet and sink. The nearby room, Lulli, sleeps 2 and shares the adjoining bathroom. La Fontaine can be rented separately. In the other wing is Moliere with its en suite toilet and bathroom with shower. 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 in July or August 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 in Coutances just north of us. May 12th-19th this year. Pink Martini will be there! 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. 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 in the beginning of August. Food, dancing, and local apple products for sale. And in Gavray in mid-July is the Marché Normand. Gavray's Saturday market is where we shop.
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). 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.
End of October through November 4th St Lo will host the International Choir Festival, Polyfollia.
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 French full size (larger than American) 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 wooden outdoor table and chairs seating 6 is available for outdoor dining or relaxing.
- View/Location
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details : Grab a chair to sit by the pond and watch the ducks. Maybe the heron will show up too.
- 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. The Manoir is situated on an acre of property. Feel free to take a lawn chair to your favorite spot in the park. Your hosts will gladly give you a tour of the diverse trees, bushes and flowers if you like.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sailing
- Boating
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Restaurants
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
Rate Details (In Euros)
Nightly Rates .. €50 Molière, €60 La Fontaine €100 Family Suite
Seven (7) Nights, One (1) Night Free.
Weekly Rates .. €300-€900/week
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 2002
We are Daniel and Suzanne and love meeting people, dancing, and gardening. Between the two of us we speak French, English and German. We look forward to you coming to stay with us.
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 Bed & Breakfast
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 or Saturday's market in Gavray. We also make sure we spend some time just sitting in the "parc" enjoying the quiet.
Property Photos
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- Le Manoir du Mesnil-Villeman - Normandy, France Holiday Rental
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- Rose Garden in full bloom - Normandy, France Holiday Rental
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- La Fontaine, spacious classical bedroom with adjoining bathroom - Normandy, France Holiday Rental
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- Lulli room overlooking the pond is rented only as part of the Family Suite
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- Moliere Bedroom with separate en suite toilet and bathroom with shower
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- Our garden table where you can enjoy the calm of the Norman countryside.
Traveler Reviews (4)
Gorgeous and Convenient
Guest: DebbieWalnut Creek
(Walnut Creek, CA)
Date of Stay: 07/24/11
Review Submitted: 01/04/12
Our family which included my mom, husband, 12 year old son, and 5 year old daughter and I had a lovely visit at the Manoir. The hosts made a delicious meal and guided us with local attractions, beach visits, Mont St. Michel details, and other perfect recommendations. We would definitely return and stay with them again! Comfortable beds, great homemade jam, pastoral fields, fragrant flowers--perfection!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, tourists without a car, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Extraordinary Hospitality
Guest: marybeth
(San Francisco, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/08/10
Review Submitted: 02/05/11
From the moment we booked our reservation at The Manor, we knew we were in good hands. Suzanne and Daniel were readily available via email to answer any questions we had prior to our arrival. They provided us with the necessary, very detailed direcitons to their home, which is tucked away in the quiet, rolling fields of Normandy. Navigating our way there was half the fun, passing tractors, tiny villages and many, many cows along the way. We were made very comfortable, thanks to our hosts. To accomodate our busy schedule of day trips, Daniel was willing to rise before dawn, make his daily run to the bakery, and prepare our breakfast early so we could get on the road. It's a great location to visit the D-Day Beaches, Mont St. Michel, and even the Brittany coast. Suzanne and Daniel shared their recommendations of things to do in the area, including an amazing meal at their favorite award-winning casual restaurant in a neighboring town. And as a special treat, Daniel cooked up a traditional feast, complete with fish in buerre blanc sauce, Normandy cheeses, aged calvados and a plum tart served on antique Quimper plates. Our stay at the Manor was short but sweet. We're hoping to go back very soon, and would recommend this place to any one looking for an authentic, historic, quiet getaway in the mystic foggy fields of Normandy.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, girls getaway, age 55+.
Excellent hosts and greate location
Guest: Dave
(Pennsylvania, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/11/10
Review Submitted: 07/28/10
The hosts of the B&B are great people who are warm, genuine, and helpful. They speak multiple languages fluently (including English), which is a real plus. Home cooked dinner with the hosts is available if asked and a real treat. The B&B is in a rural setting but close enough to major highways that can be used as a base to explore the western part of Normandy. We spent a week there and had a very memorable experience.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Wonderful Stay
Guest: Teresa
(Pensacola, Florida, USA)
Date of Stay: 06/30/10
Review Submitted: 07/24/10
We had a wonderful stay in this beautiful B & B!! The hosts were s personable and helpful. The manor was everything we thought it would be with beautiful antiques and intricate mosaic work. A very convenient location for D-Day beaches and Mont St. Michel. Great restaurants nearby as well. I would highly recommend this property to family and friends!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #87842
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