Group Accommodation in Normandy

Pérelles Stables in Sommervieu

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:02:00 +0000

The Pérelles Stables in Sommervieu offers introductions to horseback riding, classes, and trips for riders of all levels.

Ponies for children. Trips lasting several days for groups of more than five.
Ecuries des Pérelles

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Other Green Tourism activities: Guided visit of Port-en-Bessin Huppain
Marais du Cotentin regional Park
Jurques Zoo
St Vaast-la-Hougue et Tatihou Island
Cite de la Mer in Cherbourg

Queen Mathilde Tapestry in Bayeux

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:50:00 +0000

The Queen Mathilde Tapestry in Bayeux is listed in UNESCO’s "Memory of the World".

This magnificent embroidered linen, which is 70 meters long, tells the saga of the Duke of Normandy leaving to conquer England in 1066. Hidden for over 900 years, the Bayeux Tapestry was saved from destruction and preserved for posterity-a unique record of the history of France.
Queen's Mathilde Tapestry: 3km

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:44:00 +0000

To better understand the Battle of Normandy, which took place June to August 1944,

this museum clearly presents the both the conflict and the Allies progress, week by week. A chronological sequence of events, themed spaces, including displays of period objects.
Normandie Memoire Museum: 3km

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Cemeteries & museum WWII:
D-day landing museum Arromanches Willys Jeep rentals Canadian Center at Juno Beach American Cemetery at St Laurent sur Mer Caen Memorial Pegasus Bridge and Memorial

Bayeux Chocolate museum

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:38:00 +0000

A hands-on chocolate museum, the Chocolaterie de Bayeux is both a place to visit and a place to savor chocolate delights.

Learn the secrets of chocolate: its history, the mysteries of cocoa beans, and the elaborate flavor of the famous Drakkar. You can even learn how to make your own chocolate bar (call ahead for dates and information)
Drakkar Chocolate Museum: 3km

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

More about Gastronomy in Calvados dept.:
Asnelles Butter Cookies Cider, Pommeau and Calvados Butter and Cream from Isigny

D-day landing Museum Arromanches

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:27:00 +0000

Museum dedicated to the Normandy Landings in a town that has lent its name to history.

Films and expositions on Operation Overlord; summaries of military strategies and a look at the battlefields.
Arromanches 360; Cinema in the round recounts the events of the Normandy Landing on June 6, 1944, and the ferocity of the battle. So we don’t forget.
D-day landing museum (musee du débarquement): 6km

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Cemeteries & museum WWII:
Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux Willys Jeep rentals Canadian Center at Juno Beach American Cemetery at St Laurent sur Mer Caen Memorial Pegasus Bridge and Memorial

Guided visit of Port-en-Bessin Huppain

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:20:00 +0000

Port-en-Bessin is a fishing port offering a variety of activities.

Discover the history and life of the port, learn about the local coastline geology and the tides, and explore the fishing docks and shipbuilding area. Group visits at a reduced rate for more than 10 people.
Port-en-Bessin Huppain:12km

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Other Green Tourism activities:
Perelles stables in Sommervieu
Marais du Cotentin regional Park
Jurques Zoo
St Vaast-la-Hougue et Tatihou Island
Cite de la Mer in Cherbourg

Sand yachting in Asnelles

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:06:00 +0000

A small seaside resort on the Côte de Nacre, Asnelles has preserved its authenticity:

the town has limited construction to two stories. Fisherman’s houses and seaside villas reflect a tranquil lifestyle. The beach, nicknamed Belle Plage, or “Beautiful Beach,” is flat and 13 km-long; sand yachting is permitted.
Asnelles: 9km

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Water sports around Ferme de la Gronde:
Trout fishing in the planquery ponds
Aquatic center of St Lo
Canoe Kayak in Norman Swiss

Willys Jeep rentals

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 17:01:00 +0000

Rent a Willys Jeep for a group outing.

From Asnelles, discover Arromanches in an authentic vehicle from the 1940s. Visit Tracy Point or the artificial port for the landings. The freedom to go off the beaten path.

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Cemeteries & museum WWII:
Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux D-day landing museum Arromanches Canadian Center at Juno Beach American Cemetery at St Laurent sur Mer Caen Memorial Pegasus Bridge and Memorial

Asnelles Butter Cookies

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:55:00 +0000

The golden color of Asnelles Butter Cookies, or sables, testifies to the fact that they are 24% Isigny butter.

The secret recipe has garnered high praise, as the cookie factory’s guestbook (viewable online) attests. Visitors extol the glories of these buttery biscuits that melt in your mouth. Available in large boxes for gourmets with lots of friends.
Asnelles Butter Cookies: 5km

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

More about Gastronomy in Calvados dept.:
Bayeux Chocolate Museum Cider, Pommeau and Calvados Butter and Cream from Isigny

Canadian Center at Juno Beach

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:12:00 +0000

Dedicated to the memory of the Canadian soldiers that fell here, the Juno Beach Center is located on Courseulles Beach,

one of the sites of the D-Day landings. The center examines the landing of Canadian soldiers and their country’s role in the conflict. Remains of the Atlantic Wall, near Courseulles, also on view.
Juno Beach Center:20km, 30mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Cemeteries & museum WWII:
Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux D-day landing museum Arromanches Willys Jeep rentals American Cemetery at St Laurent sur Mer Caen Memorial Pegasus Bridge and Memorial

Caen: Men’s Abbey and Women’s Abbey

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:01:00 +0000

The church of Saint-Etienne at the Men’s Abbey was built during the reign of William the Conqueror and is the site of his tomb.

Numerous Gothic extensions were added up to the 18th century, including the building that now houses the city hall, the cloister, and the Guardroom. At the Women’s Abbey, only the 18th century convent and Trinity Church are open to visitors. Reserve ahead for group visits
Caen: 34km, 30mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Château de Caen

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 15:42:00 +0000

In 1066, William the Conqueror decided to build a fortress on the rocky outcropping that overlooks the Orne River.

Caen’s first castle was redesigned several times, first by William’s descendants and then by the King of France after Normandy became part of the French kingdom. During the 100 Years War, Caen Castle was re-transformed into a fortress; in the 16th century a promenade was added along the ramparts. In 1944, the first archeological digs were commissioned and the findings about the castle’s medieval life would be used to restore the edifice.
Chateau de Caen:34km, 30mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Château de Balleroy and Hot Air Balloon Museum

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:52:00 +0000

An architectural masterpiece, built in 1631 by legendary French architect François Mansart,

the splendor of Balleroy Castle as been preserved thanks to a major renovation in the 1970s by its current proprietor. One of the castle’s outbuildings is now a museum dedicated to the history of hot air balloons.
Château de Balleroy:19km, 30mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

American Cemetery at St Laurent sur Mer

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:47:00 +0000

Omaha Beach will always be remembered as a place where several thousand American soldiers lost their lives on June 6, 1944.

On this historic site, a museum now displays personal effects, vehicles, uniforms, archival photos, and explanatory display panels, as well as recorded testimonials from American Army veterans who describe the fury of the battles at Omaha and Pointe du Hoc.
American Cemetery: 25km, 30mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Cemeteries & museum WWII:
Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux D-day landing museum Arromanches Willys Jeep rentals Canadian Center at Juno Beach Caen Memorial Pegasus Bridge and Memorial

Caen Memorial

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:43:00 +0000

The Memorial of Caen is considered an official Museum of France

for making complex wartime events accessible to the general public. The period covered includes pre-WWII up to the Cold War. Guided visits, school presentations, the Memorial’s displays plunge the visitor into the heart of 20th century history.
Caen Memorial: 32km, 29mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Cemeteries & museum WWII:
Museum of the Battle of Normandy in Bayeux D-day landing museum Arromanches Willys Jeep rentals Canadian Center at Juno Beach American Cemetery at St Laurent sur Mer Pegasus Bridge and Memorial

Marais du Cotentin Regional Park

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:40:00 +0000

Not far from Isigny, Bessin Regional Park welcomes visitors.

This exceptional protected area shelters the Ponts d’Ouvre: one of the region’s natural and cultural riches. Learn about the many different species of birds living in the marshes, and visit the bird observatories and explanatory paths—an opportunity to observe and respect nature.
Regional Park of Marais du Cotentin: 43km, 35mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Other Green Tourism activities:
Perelles stables in Sommervieu
Guided visit of Port-en-Bessin Huppain
Jurques Zoo
St Vaast-la-Hougue et Tatihou Island
Cite de la Mer in Cherbourg

Trout fishing in the Planquery Ponds

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:36:00 +0000

Year-round fishing is on offer at the Etangs de Planquéry:

4 ponds on 10 hectares feature daily trout releases and no fishing limits. Don’t miss the prize-winning trout weighing over 10kg.
Planquery ponds:25km, 35mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

Water sports around Ferme de la Gronde:
Sand yachting in Asnelles
Aquatic center of St Lo
Canoe Kayak in Norman Swiss

Ciders, pommeau and Calvados

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:34:00 +0000

It’s for good reason that this department is called Calvados.

France’s Apple Country offers juice, cider, pommeau (a mix of apple juice and brandy) and Calvados brandy that can be bought straight from the producer. Several producers within a 30-km radius of Ferme de Gronde welcome visitors; appointments are possible for groups, particularly at Amayé sur Seulles (Le Clos d’Orval).
Le clos d'Orval at Amaye-sur-Seulles: 35km, 40mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

More about Gastronomy in Calvados dept.:
Bayeux Chocolate Museum Asnelles Butter Cookies Butter and Cream from Isigny

Butter and Cream from Isigny & Caramels

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Isigny is one of Normandy’s most famous dairy towns:

its butter and cream are so luscious they were designated AOC in 1986. But don’t forget that Isigny is also known for its delicious, lightly-salted caramels. Isigny: a gourmet escapade including possible visits to two factories and many tasting rooms. Scrumptious.
Isigny: 40km, 33mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage

More about Gastronomy in Calvados dept.:
Bayeux Chocolate Museum Asnelles Butter Cookies Cider, Pommeau and Calvados

Pegasus Bridge and Memorial

Emmanuel Vereecke — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:23:00 +0000

During the night spaning June 5 and 6, 1944,

British soldiers of the 6th Airborne Division were parachuted in preparation for the Allies D-Day Landings. Pegasus Bridge Memorial explains the many missions of these soldiers, who were the first to land on French soil.
Pegasus bridge: 45km, 50mn

Our lodgings:
Ferme de la Gronde Large gite The Cottage