Riverside cottage with sauna- Orne, Normandy.

Secluded Cottage retreat with exclusive access to the river, with extensive grounds and surrounded by rocky cliffs and woodland on the Mont de Cerisy.

Step out of the private sauna and cold plunge into the Noireau river. That's the rhythm of a stay here: heat, then cold water, then quiet. Peaceful with a focus on wellbeing.

This 1860s stone cottage sits in a river valley close to Suisse Normande or Little Switzerland, with a rocky, wildflower-covered cliff on one side and wooded hills on the other. Half a kilometre of riverside garden is yours to wander — for early cold plunges, slow afternoons in the hammock, or evenings by the fire pit once the light starts to fade. The stone cottage is cool in summer, cosy in winter.

Well-behaved dogs are warmly welcome — the riverside garden and woodland walks were practically made for them.

The sauna is close to the river, so you can move between heat and cold water in a minute-included for your stay- please treat it as you would your own. Bring a robe and towels down to the plunge spot right by the house, or take the short walk along the garden to a quieter stretch of water.

Days here tend to slow down. Watch the stars from the bath by candlelight. Read on the sofa in front of the log burner. Walk the woodland path up the Mont - deer and wild boar are regular sightings, and the wildlife along the river is remarkable: otters, red kites, kingfishers, and red squirrels are all seen from the garden. One guest counted twelve species at once using the Merlin app.

Ideal for those who want to create-sketch or paint in the garden, read by the fire. For the active there are forest trails and quiet roads to walk, run or cycle. Following activities cool off in the river or head for a hot shower in the garden side wellbeing room before heading up to the fire side or into the sauna.

Cook and eat outside at the covered outdoor kitchen —large fridge, drinks island, outdoor table. Or gather at the large French oak table inside.

The cottage sleeps 7/8 across four bedrooms — a ground-floor double with en-suite, plus a double, a bunk room, and a single upstairs (with additional mattress available). There is a further sofa bed on the mezzanine. A recently refitted kitchen (induction hob, dishwasher, air-fryer, Nespresso) and a corner bath upstairs round out the comforts. Free fast WiFi throughout.

This is a place for people who want to properly switch off — couples after a reset, small groups who'd rather sit by a fire than sightsee, or families happy to let the woods and the river do the entertaining. The village store, post office, and boulangerie are a kilometre away.

Enjoy the local cheese and taste cider and calvados in the nearby village of Cerisy Belle Etoile.

If you do want to go further Flers is 6km and many Normandy sites can be visited for a day trip: the D-day beaches of the Normandy coast, Mont St Michel, Granville, Monet's garden at Giverny, Bayeux, Les Mans, or a recent discovery of ours, the Pays d'Auge area beloved by David Hockney.

Nearer the sites of Suisse Normade including the beautiful village of Clecy with its activities on the river and rock climbing in the gorge at the Rochers des Parcs.

Coming soon: Petanque court and new fire pit area.

Minimum stay: 3 nights.