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The Area
The properties are
wonderfully situated in the Vire Valley known as the Bocage. This term basically
means a countryside with hedges, hills and rivers. It is rather like England was
many years ago. It has the same lush greenery but the space is amazing! Even the
motorways seem quiet in comparison.
Jonquil and Teddy Bear
Cottage are located in the hamlet of Brouains which is less than
10 minutes drive from the small town of Sourdeval.
Le Moulin is situated in the
village of Mesnil Clinchamps about 2 miles from Saint Sever.
La Gite de la Foret is in
Saint Sever.
Tick Tock Cottage is about 4 miles from
Saint Sever
The nearest big town is
Vire which is famous mainly for its sausages and gorges! However, in the
small town of St Sever there is a magnificent forest, a decent
Saturday Market and a wealth of fetes throughout the year. There is also a
fantastic open air swimming pool which is open July and August.
Other places within an
hours drive include:
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Vire |
All the properties are within 20 minutes of
Vire which is famous for its Bocage (A mosaic of rolling, meandering
landscapes made up of meadows, hedgerows and hillsides through which rivers make
their way.) its Gorges and its sausages! The house is situated close to both the Gorges and the forest
of St Sever.
There is an interesting
museum showing old crafts as well as life in the 18th Century. There is a lot to do for
the more athletic like walking, hiking, cycling, riding! For those who prefer to
watch there is also a horse trotting race course. For those who prefer to
eat and drink there is plenty do!
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Caen |
Founded during the Roman period, Caen developed to full
splendour in the Renaissance period : this can be seen from the Italian
style Hôtel d'Escoville, or from the half-timbered houses of the
Quatrans or rue Saint Pierre or again from the poet Malherbe's home.
From then onwards Caen became known as the "Norman Athens", a city so
loved by the Marquise de Sévigné for the presence here of "many fine
wits". But to discover the unusual aspects of the city, it's best to
stroll through the streets and city squares. In the rue Ecuyère, rue
Froide, rue Saint Martin, secret back courtyards hide treasures of the
city's past. Caen's other renaissance was during the reconstruction
after the Second World War, with exceptional city planning and a style
of construction worth seeing. |
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Bayeux |
Bayeux is a wonderful
mediaeval town full of interesting streets, shops and restaurants oh and
a an interesting tapestry.
A unique masterpiece in the world, the Bayeux Tapestry is actually an
embroidery made from wool on linen canvas during the 11th century. 70m
long and 50cm high, it recounts, simply but with a wealth of detail, how
and why Willliam the Conqueror conquered England on 14 October 1066.
Unaccompanied visite to the exhibition and audiovisual rooms and
Tapestry visit with earphone (11 languages simultaneously).
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Granville |
Granville sur Mer
is a seaside resort about 45 minutes drive from the gites. Apart from a
number of sandy beaches it also has resort centre which provides an interesting
mix of shops, curios, restaurants and hotels.
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D Day Beaches |
The properties are within an
hour of most of the D Day landing beaches as well as the super Caen
Memorial Museum. |
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Le Mont St Michel |
Le Mont St Michel is
one of the wonders of recent times well, the original abbey was conceived in
708!
It has been a
monastry, citadel and even a prison although one of its most famous inhabitants
was a certain Mere Poulard a cook who devised hundreds of recipes in her time.
Her omelette was probably the most famous.
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Kids Stuff |
Festy Land is
like a theme park and virtual experience! It has different sections like the
Prehistory, the Norman and the Viking. During the summer months there mock
Viking battles and Norman Tournaments. The
best thing is that its only 40 odd minutes away.
A bit further away in Cherbourg is the Worlds Largest Submarine open to the public. On the control deck
of the submarine you can steer a virtual submarine in an interactive dive!
The
Reptilarium is also a more than interesting experience although we would not
gurantee that talking to the snakes a la Harry Potter will lead to any truly
magical events.
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Further a-field there are
places like Paris which is about 3 hours drive or a bit less on a direct train
service from Vire!
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