The apartment
is in a wing of the Manoir, set in the midst of acres of private farmland in the
soft green valley that Ruskin loved so much. The village of Saint Léger du
Gennetey is situated about 45 kms from Rouen and the fashionable towns of
Deauville, Trouville or Honfleur on the coast, within reach of some of the
Normandy Landing beaches. This is the heart of Normandy, an area of lush
pastureland and apple orchards where some of the finest Calvados brandy is made.
The architecture of our house has evolved over the centuries from the original
16th century timber fronted part of the house to the traditional patterned stone
and brick that it has today. Very much a family home, there is a great sense of
peaceful continuity about it.
The Apartment: The apartment is in the 18th century part of the house and
has been elegantly decorated and furnished in keeping with the original
fireplaces, panelling and floors. The entrance is on the North side, which leads
to a large living room/dining room that runs through to the South side of the
house. There is a downstairs WC and a staircase leading up to two double
bedrooms and a kitchen equipped with various appliances, a dishwasher, oven and
hob, microwave and fridge/freezer. There is also a bathroom with a separate WC.
The park and gardens are still in the process of being laid out and there are
endless places to walk through the natural beauty of the countryside around us.
Activities: The house is 8 kms from the medieval Abbaye du Bec-Hellouin,
which in its time produced several distinguished theologians including two great
11th century abbots, both of whom later became Archbishop of Canterbury. We know
Bec-Hellouin and the area around it intimately and can tell you of places and
their stories that only those who live here know about. This is great riding
country, perhaps the best way to really see the countryside and there are
numerous riding centres within easy reach. There is also an excellent golf
course at the Château du Champ de Bataille and others at Trouville. You always
eat well here, and the helpings are generous. There are excellent seafood
restaurants along the coast, the sausages of Caen are famous and the lamb from
the salt marshes south of Cherbourg tasty and delicious. Dairy cattle provide
rich milk for a galaxy of cheeses like Pont l'Evêque, Livarot and Camembert,
cream and cider as well as calvados are used in many dishes. Visits to many of
the farms that produce cheese and cider, to see how it is made and to sample and
buy direct are always welcomed.
Travel
Airports Deauville - 45 kms, Rouen - 40 kms, Paris - 150 kms
Road Le Havre - 40 minutes, Caen - 1 hour, Paris/Rouen
