Things to do ... within 10 minutes drive
The Pays de Bray is a truly beautiful part of Normandy: lush undulating farmland, green fields, lazy cows, apple orchards, and up by the sea the rugged white cliffs of the Alabaster coast…
We have found that the house and grounds are such a wonderful place to just chill-out and recharge our batteries, whatever the weather, that we tend not to stray very far, but there is plenty to do and see in the region, should you wish to explore…
We have found that the house and grounds are such a wonderful place to just chill-out and recharge our batteries, whatever the weather, that we tend not to stray very far, but there is plenty to do and see in the region, should you wish to explore…
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From our gate...
Country Walk to Grumesnil If you don't wish to drive anywhere, you can go for a walk right from our gate. The house is on the edge of a public footpath which takes you down to the village of Grumesnil (about 20 mins walk), which usually wins prizes as a "village fleuri" (village in bloom). This is a very small village which has no shops but it does have a small bar, "Chez Monique" where you can stop off for a refreshment. From there, you can either just retrace your steps back home, or take the longer very picturesque route which will take you through the village of St Michel-de-Halescourt. |
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2 minutes walk...
Mont-au-Bec Farm You won't have to go far for this, just turn left out of our gate and there it is! Jonathan is a young farmer whose family have been farming in the area for generations, and make delicious fresh (unpasteurized) organic milk, butter, cream, yummy yoghurts and cheeses which they sell every day at local markets. You can also buy the products most evenings from their new state of the art milking shed, 2 minutes stroll from the end of our drive. Oh, and if you or your children are interested, they welcome visitors to watch the cows being milked. More info on their facebook page> |
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3 minutes drive...
Home-made Jams from "Madame Rhubarbe" Ferme de la Rhubarbe, Haussez Our local rhubarb farm - a couple of years before our arrival, Veronique, a local farmer's wife, found herself a widow with young children to support. Unable to run the farm on her own, she decided to concentrate on cultivating the rhubarb and also her passion for jam. She is now an award-winning jam maker who sells her wonderful products in a number of outlets as well as online. You may visit the rhubarb farm in our local village any day. More info on her website> |
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5 minutes drive...
Award-winning Cider & Calvados Domaine Duclos-Fougeray Herve and Denise have been winning gold and silver medals for many years at the Paris festival. You can buy their cider and calvados direct from their orchard - see their website below... More info on their website> |
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7 minutes drive...
Gaillefontaine The nearest large village with shops etc. There is a chemist, a grocer/greengrocer general store, a butcher, two bakers, petrol station, cafe etc. It is about 7 minutes drive from the house. On the drive in, look up to your right, where you will see the magnificent chateau (privately owned, so unfortunately not open to the public). |
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10 minutes drive...
Forges-les-Eaux This delightful spa town has pretty lakes and woodland walks, a smart casino, a health spa (daily membership is available for the gym, pool, sauna and various thalassotherapy seaweed treatments), fishing, tennis, and an indoor/outdoor pool, as well as a selection of restaurants, bars and a weekly market. Tourist Office Facebook> Tourist Office Website> Swimming |
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10 minutes drive...
Grand Casino de Forges les Eaux This casino is the closest to Paris (just 70 miles) and is very popular - unusually for rural France it is open every night until 5am. The casino's 4,950 square foot gaming space features 300 gaming machines and seventeen table and poker games. The property has three restaurants (see details in our "Eating Out" section) and two hotels with fifty-five rooms. Casino Website> |
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10 minutes drive...
Forges "Beach" & Spa Forges Beach - This is not a beach by the sea, but during the summer months the The Forges Hotel, part of the casino complex, opens up its terraces on the banks of the lake and puts out smart recliners and parasols and has an open-air bar and waiter service. When the weather is cooler, you can book a day at the health spa, including lunch, or just pop in for some pamper treatments. |
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10 minutes drive...
Museum of Resistance and Deportation This 2 storey museum retraces the dark years of the Second World War with various objects and documents such as arms and uniforms, aviation material, posters. There is a video projection room. |
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10 minutes drive...
La Ferte St Samson This small hilltop village of La Ferte St Samson features an old church and an ancient motte (artificial mound), which is believed to hold mystical powers. From the top of the motte there is a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside. |
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A car-free path which starts 10 minute drive or 20 minutes cycle ride (via country roads) from our gate...
The Avenue Verte The Avenue Verte consists of a car-free path, minimum 3 metres wide, and currently 40km long from Forges-les-Eaux to Dieppe, forming part of the European Cycleways project linking London to Paris. The route is reserved for walkers, wheelchairs, cyclists, rollerbladers and horseriders. Plentiful picnic spots have been created along the side of the route, as well as a number of old railway signal boxes which have been refurbished to serve as shelters. |
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