Property Details

The house sleeps 6-8 people in four bedrooms - two double bedrooms (one with double bed + one with king size bed) and two bedrooms with bunk beds. There are two washing facilities, a sink+toilet+clawfoot bath upstairs and a sink+large shower downstairs (under the stairs) with a separate toilet room. There is a fully-equipped kitchen, large dining room (seats 10), roomy sitting room, a BBQ and a washing machine. (Baby equipment in house: a full-size cot, a high chair, a bouncy chair, umbrella-style pram, microwave bottle sterilizing equipment, changing mat and potty.)

Local Area Details

This large traditional farmhouse with panoramic views of the quaint village of Crouttes is five minutes from the town of Vimoutiers (you can drive down the hill, buy fresh croissants and be back at the table for breakfast in less than fifteen minutes). Built in the 1850's it retains many of the original features. Apple orchards and dairy farms surround the house. It is located approx­imately two miles from scenic Camem­bert, six miles from Montormel battlefield and museum, forty miles from sandy beaches at Deauville and the romantic harbour of Honfleur, and 100 miles from Paris.
The house sits on a half-acre of fenced garden. Orchards grow behind the house, while the front opens out to a superb view of the valley and folded hills. Our house partially overlooks the medieval gardens and graceful buildings of the ajoining property, the twelfth century priory of St.Michel. Brown national heritage signs signpost the priory from every direction. This makes our house easy to locate even after a night out!

Horse Riding
Normandy is famous for horses. Vimoutiers and the area support several riding schools such as:

Poney Club de la Moynerie

Racing at Deauville
Deauville sponsors horse racing from May to October - the best races are in August.
Haras du Pin national stud farm
This 18th century stud farm is located approximately 16 miles to the south of Crouttes. Within this magnificent 'Versailles of horse breeding' 70 national stallions represent every breed. In addition to visits, displays of the stallions and horse teams take place every Thursday from June to September (at 3pm).

Water Activities
Local Pools
There are swimming pools in the local towns of Argentan and Lisieux.
Please note that boys in France are required to wear the tight fitted 'pants' style (speedo type) swimwear rather than baggy English shorts style for regions of hygiene.

Lake
Five minutes down the hill (on the Trun road towards Vimoutiers) there is a lake that offers swimming and other water activites such as paddleboats and slides during the summer season.

Canoeing
Canoes are available to hire in the town of Thury-Harcourt
Kayak-Club De Thury-Harcourt

Fishing
Day Fishing (during fishing season)

Golf Courses
Bagnoles-de-l'Orne Golf Club
Route de Domfront
Bagnoles-de-l'Orne

Footpaths
The communes of Crouttes and Le Renouard are known for their many footpaths - we often take picnics with us. They lead to secluded beauty spots and vast surprising views to streams, woods and hedgerows. Blackberries, hazelnuts, sloes, toadstools and wild flowers of all sorts grow in the hedgerows. We have seen unusual birds like green woodpeckers - we almost always see at least one bird of prey as well as local farm animals - donkeys chickens, geese, ducks, sheep, cows. My son enjoys spotting all the different types of tractors.

Charlotte Chorday (the 'heroine' who infamously stabbed Marat) comes from this area. One footpath leads past her farmhouse. Our favourite walk takes us by the chateau Vieux. This means 'the old chateau' - a medieval chateau not open to the public but a lovely walk.

Property Features

* Close to a golf course
* Children are allowed

Contact Information

Name:	Anny Staats
Telephone:	00314 -93843-424
Alt Telephone:	00314-93843-424
Fax:	--
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