A contemporary and spacious 3 bedroom gite near Gavray, Normandy. Equidistant between Granville, Cou A downstairs utility room completes the downstairs.
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The gite is a former barn which has been renovated to create a contemporary 3 bedroom gite. The original barn doors have been replaced with a wall of glass allowing natural light to flood in to the main foyer. A well equipped kitchen/diner and spacious lounge with woodburner are on either side of the foyer. Upstairs 3 comfortable bedrooms and 2 generous shower rooms can be found. The gite has cent
ral heating as well as a wood burning stove to ensure your comfort all year round. If you'd like to find out more about places to visit during your stay in Normandy, you'll find a wealth of information here.
A behind-the-scenes look at how the gíte kitchen and diner looked 9 years ago. Although it doesn't look very finished, this was the home stretch. The windows, plumbing and electrics had been fitted, walls plasterboarded and painted plus the floor had been laid. The fridge/freezer, oven and dishwasher had been fitted. This stage was installing the kitchen units and worktops and putting together the furniture for the dining area.
It’s impossible to pick a favourite photo from my trip this afternoon. I visited The Longest Yarn exhibition in Carentan. It’s an 80 meter long, 3D depiction of D-Day that is knitted and crocheted in wool. This scene is of the church in Sainte-Mère-Église and depicts a paratrooper getting tangled on the bell tower. It’s only here until 1st September so do visit if you can.
Do you know the name of the cake at the front? The one behind it is a tiramisu with red fruits and both were bought in the purple boulangerie in Gavray today. I had half of each and both were delicious but there was a clear winner.
Did you know you can buy different types of baguettes here in Normandy? A classic baguette (baguette classique) is inexpensive yet still good quality if you buy it in a boulangerie. In recent years the baguette de tradition has seen a rise in popularity. It takes longer to prove and is made from flour, yeast, salt and water. It's slightly more expensive - maybe 20 centimes or more per baguette but generally it's a better flavour. You can also get multigrain versions (look out for céreales or graines). The 3 boulangeries in Gavray have different names for these superior baguettes. In the yellow boulangerie it's une pétrisane, in the purple boulangerie it's une festive and in the red boulangerie it's une tradition.
My visit today was to the abbey in Cerisy-La-Forêt. It’s also known as l’abbaye Saint-Vigor named after a 6th century evangelist who was given the land by a rich nobleman. The abbey was founded in 1032, the church existed from at least 1048 and the apse from 1089.
Yesterday I posted about the Standing With Giants temporary art installation at the British Normandy Memorial. At the heart of the installation are two brave nurses and I wanted to give a little more information about why they feature there. The permanent memorial honours the 22,442 service personnel under British command who lost their lives during the Battle of Normandy. Their names are engraved on a memorial wall and on columns that radiate from it. The silhouettes represent the 1475 British soldiers who died on D-Day. Sister Mollie Evershed and Sister Dorothy Anyta Field had been deployed to Normandy with the Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service to treat injured servicemen close to the frontline. They were on the SS Amsterdam when it hit a mine off Juno Beach on 7th August. Both nurses left their lifeboat and went below deck to treat wounded soldiers. They were posthumously commended by the King for their bravery. Their names are inscribed on column 260 of the memorial and they are the only two women to feature on it.
For Your Tomorrow, The People's Tribute
This incredibly poignant art installation will be at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer in Normandy until 31st August. There are 1475 soldier silhouettes with each one representing a British fatality on 6th June 1944. There are two nurse silhouettes honouring Mollie Evershed and Dorothy Anyta Field who were on the hospital carrier ship Amsterdam when it was hit by a mine off Juno beach on 7th August 1944. There are also silhouettes of French resistance fighters in the woods near to the French memorial.
There is some availability at the gite if you'd like to pay your respects to the fallen. I'll add details in the comments.
WHO ARE THESE MEN?
Who are these men who march so proud
Who quietly weep, eyes closed, head bowed.
These are the men who once were boys
Who missed out on youth and all it's joys.
Who are these men with sorrowful look
Who can still remember the lives that were took.
These are the men who saw young men die,
The price of peace is always high.
Who are these men with aged faces
Who silently count the empty spaces.
These are the men who gave their all
Who fought for their country, for freedom for all.
These are the men who in the midst of pain
Whispered comfort to those who would not see again.
These are the men whose hands held tomorrow,
Who brought back our future through blood, tears and sorrow.
Who are all these men who promise to keep
Alive in their hearts the ones God holds asleep?
These are the men to whom I promise again
Veterans, my friends, I WILL REMEMBER THEM.
Photo: a spitfire created from succulent plants, Coutances Jardin des Plantes
Today’s impossible task - choosing just one photo to share from my visit to the Christian Dior museum in Granville. I couldn’t, so here are two of my favourites. The exhibition is free on the first Sunday of each month (but you have to book). It will run until the 3rd November. A fabulous visit today and thanks to the very friendly members of staff. Musée Christian-Dior
A recent trip to Sainte-Mère-Église and I did part of the self guided walk around the town. There’s a leaflet available from the tourist office. The church has an effigy of American WW2 parachutist John Steele on the bell tower and vibrant stained glass windows.
Another day of gardening today. Gearing up for guests arriving on Saturday who will be here for part of the D-Day Festival.
This beautiful building is the Hôtel de Beaumont in Valognes which I visited at the weekend before they open for the main season. (Hôtel means a private mansion.) The guided tour takes you into the impressive hallway with a suspended staircase. The ground floor rooms include a dining room, salon and library. Upstairs you visit the nursery, the Countess’s bedroom and a bathroom before heading to the basement to the servants’ hall.
I popped to my local boulangerie this morning to pick up some bread for guests arriving later today. It’s a public holiday today so many boulangeries will only be open until lunchtime. The Olympic Flame is coming to La Manche on Friday 31st May so I was delighted to spot this decorated loaf. The baker won first place in a competition over the weekend.
The Château de Gratot near to Coutances includes two towers - the Round tower and the Fairy Tower - that you can just see beyond the top of the roof.
To visit beautiful Normandy, please get in touch. There is still some availability for May.
A yummy lunch today in Granville of smoked salmon open sandwiches served with salad and couscous.
The golden hour at the end of a sunny day here in Normandy.
Coutances cathedral is one of my favourite places to visit. It's free and is an oasis of calm in the town. You can take a paid tour of the upper walkways in the cathedral where you get to see the stained glass window behind the organ for example.
If you'd like to visit Normandy, I have availability from 11th - 20th May for a minimum 3 night stay during this period. Please drop me a message if you're interested.
This photo came up as a memory on my personal feed yesterday and is from 2021. A month of lockdown had just finished so being able to take a stroll along the beach was very welcome. The photo is taken somewhere between Saint Martin de Bréhal and Coudeville sur Mer which is my favourite stretch of beach. You can see Granville's headland in the distance.
More gardening today - this time in the garden to the rear of the gite. The flowers beds are just beginning to spring into life and usually look their best during May and June.
Hello May! That means it's nearly June and the start of the D-Day Festival which will take place from 1st - 16th June. I'll add the link to the main events programme below. There's so much interest in the 80th anniversary commemorations that Normandy is looking to be busier than ever. The gite is fully booked for June but why not visit in May? The green dates means the gite is available and there's a 3 night minimum stay. Some of the commemorations have already started such as exhibitions and displays. Plus, the museums, cemeteries, memorials and beaches will be open in May but will be a lot quieter. It's the perfect time to visit so do contact me with your preferred dates.
I haven’t been able to do any gardening for over a week now due to an acute throat infection. And the weeds in the gite courtyard have been having a field day while I’ve been languishing indoors with a supply of honey and lemon. My local farmer says I should just let the grass and weeds take over but I’m not convinced. What do you think? Embrace nature for a wild look or make it more presentable?
The amazing ‘For Your Tomorrow’ tribute by Standing With Giants is now in place at the British Normandy Memorial. The aerial photos taken during the installation show the 1475 silhouettes being placed. There’s one silhouette for every soldier under British command who fell on the 6th June 1944. Their bravery in Normandy gave us all a tomorrow.
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Good morning from the sheep in the next field. (Sound on for the full effect)
A ‘vide grenier’ is a bit like a car boot sale or a yard sale. It means empty loft. It was a big event with stalls all around the village. There were plenty of food trucks and drinking spots. Today’s event was in Hambye and we were lucky with some dry and sunny weather.
Several cups of tea and a slice of cake later and some progress has been made strimming the lawn. Just under half done but the rest will have to wait for another day.
In April I'll have been living in Normandy for 10 years. To celebrate I'm offering a 10% discount for new stays during April. There's a minimum 3 night stay and a flexible arrival day. Availability from 4th April.
⭐️ 3 bedrooms sleeping up to 6 people plus a baby
⭐️A well equipped and spacious barn conversion
⭐️ 15 minute drive to nearest beach
⭐️ Well located for day trips to Mont Saint Michel, Bayeux and the D-Day sites
To take advantage of this very special offer, please contact us and mention the code APRIL24. There's more information at www.normandygiteholidays.com.
SIRET number 81936807700015
A quick Saturday afternoon stroll in Granville.
This was my Saturday morning treat while the car was in the garage. I strolled down into Gavray, had a mooch around the market and also a big 'entrepôt vente' (second hand shop/brocante). I picked up an almond croissant from one of the bakeries and had it with a coffee in the bar which is a few doors down. Happy Saturday from Normandy.
The high tides (grandes marées) start today and continue until Wednesday in Normandy. Tuesday will see the highest tides (when the co-efficient is more than 100) and it's a fantastic sight to see. Mont Saint Michel will be cut off from the mainland, some roads will disappear under the water and the marshland will be submerged.
Grand marée : jour J !
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Easter is just around the corner so if you've not booked a break, now's the time to do so. There is availability at Normandy Gite Holidays from 3rd April with a flexible arrival day and a minimum 3 night stay. For inspiration of some of the things to do at Easter please have a read of my latest blog.
Easter in Normandy is full of chocolate, colour spring flowers and spring events. Read on for some inspiration of things to do at Easter
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Decisions, decisions. But the question is - which cake did I choose?
Good morning from the sheep in the next field. (Sound on for the full effect)
How lovely to spot this from my window this morning. Happy Sunday.
I really wasnt expecting this when I opened the shutters about 10 minutes ago. What a great start to the day.
The garden is hopefully looking better since the last time I posted pics of it. The lawn needs scarifying and mowing in the next few days. Fingers crossed that the guests who arrived today will get to spend some time out there.
12 Days of Christmas, Day 12 My final post looking back at 2022 is a video from a sunny day in December. This is the beach at Coudeville-sur-Mer and there was just one other person on the beach who you can see right at the end. It was fabulous to be able to enjoy that huge stretch of the coastline almost to myself. If you’d like to book a holiday here in Normandy, I’ll pop the website link below so you can check the availability. Secure your dates with a 25% deposit and relax knowing you’ve got something to look forward to later this year.
There was just me plus one other person and a dog on the beach yesterday. Although it was only around 3 or 4 degrees it felt pretty comfortable as there was no breeze. I love our busy Normandy beaches. 😂
Listen to the church bells in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. On D-Day this small village, not far from Utah Beach, would have looked very different.
This was the view from yesterday morning’s beach trip. At 9.30am it wasn’t crowded at all and the only activity was from walkers, joggers and boats being launched. Although there was a breeze, it soon warmed up and I even had a dip in the sea. By the time we left at 11.30, a few more people had arrived to sit on the beach, relax and enjoy the surroundings. It’s due to be 35 degrees today! 😳
The firework display at Granville last night for the 14 July celebrations. I’ve never seen Granville so busy with plenty of families enjoying the show. I got there early so I could park and wandered over to Yver for a yummy ice cream (strawberry with raspberry yoghurt). For some people today will be another day off as they ‘faire le pont’ (literally to make the bridge) by taking an extra day off to get a long weekend.
Last week’s guests have been holidaying in Normandy for around 15 years and have always stayed in La Manche region. Usually they spend D-Day week here but changed that this year due to the Jubilee. They’ve very kindly said that I could share their itinerary if you are looking for inspiration of what to do. Saturday. Arrive at gite, do food shopping, chill Sunday. Bréhal Sunday morning market, afternoon at the beach, dinner at a local restaurant Monday. Bayeux cathedral and Commonwealth cemetery, Arromanches, the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer. Tuesday. Villedieu-Les-Poêles morning market, Champrépus zoo Wednesday. Coutances shops, gardens and cathedral Thursday. Granville and the Christian Dior Museum Friday. Mont Saint Michel, dinner at a local restaurant Saturday. Leave the gite and travel to Cherbourg for the early evening ferry. Afternoon at the Cité de la Mer nautical museum in Cherbourg. Despite numerous trips to the area they still discovered new places to explore. They called in to Villedieu’s church while they were at the market. They also really enjoyed their visit to the Dior gardens and museum. I took this video yesterday in the gardens. #Normandy
Six years ago this weekend my first guests came to stay in the gite. How time flies. Wishing you a happy Sunday from Normandy.
A video of a breezy day in Granville’s high town the weekend before last. The view is looking north up the coast and the endless beaches. This contrasts with the historic walled town where the buildings date from the 16th century onwards.
It’s Armistice Day in France today when cities, towns and villages remember those who’ve been injured or lost their lives in conflict. It’s a public holiday to enable people to show their respect. Although I posted about the British Normandy Memorial at the weekend, it seems fitting to share this video today on Remembrance Day. On the 11th hour, on the 11th day on the 11th month, we will remember them. #remembranceday #lestweforget
A visit to the D Day 75 garden today. It was originally displayed at the Chelsea Flower Show and then installed on the cliffs above Arromanches for the 75th anniversary commemorations in 2019. The stone sculpture is of Bill Pendell as he looks across to himself aged 22 in 1944. Alongside him are the comrades he fought with during the Battle of Normandy. #dday
A sky of two halves late this afternoon as I passed by Coudeville sur Mer. Moody and overcast on the left in Granville compared to sun and blue sky on the right.
Autumn and winter months are usually the best months to see stunning sunrises in Normandy. My camera roll is peppered with them from October onwards. This video was taken last November looking across the field that’s next to the gite. The colours and the cloud patterns were so amazing that it felt surreal. I was so pleased I managed to capture it.
Planning a trip to Mont-Saint-Michel? This guide gives you all the information you need to make the most of your visit. https://bit.ly/2PBMR2X
