Your contact:	Dawn Petts and Jean Lemagnen
Telephone:	+44-(0)128 373 2062
Email:	Click here to contact Marcia

Marcia is a traditional Normandy cottage, about 200 years old, with exposed oak beams and thick stone walls. It is set in a large and well-maintained lawned garden. The property is suitable for families or couples. Behind the house is a cider-apple orchard, which is all part of the private grounds. A large mature willow tree stands in front of the main door, which offers wonderful shade on lazy summer afternoons. The front door opens into the kitchen, which is furnished in pine, with a table and chairs for 6 people. There is a gas stovetop, an electric oven, a microwave, a dishwasher, and a washing machine. The kitchen is not ultra-modern, but a homely combination of old and new. Off the kitchen is the downstairs bathroom, with a toilet, a basin, and a shower. There is a new gas-fired boiler in the downstairs bathroom, which keeps the house very warm in winter. Beyond is the dining room which has an extendable dining table, big enough to seat eight guests. A set of French doors opens onto the gravel patio, which has garden furniture and a barbecue. The lounge is adjacent, with its traditional oak beams, Italian tiled floor, and comfortable sofas and armchairs. This room also has a "clear-view" log burning stove which makes the home wonderfully cosy during winter. Wood is provided.

There are three bedrooms sleeping six guests on the upper floor. The first is an attractive double bedroom with exposed oak beams, large enough to also accommodate a cot or a small bed. Within the room, but separated by screens, is an individually designed en suite bathroom with toilet, basin, and a bathtub-shower. The second bedroom has twin beds. There is a hanging closet, a dressing table and a small spare bed, which can be easily carried to the main bedroom, for a small child. The third bedroom has a pair of stacker beds, making it a comfortable and spacious single room, with the capacity to turn it into a twin bedroom if required. All single beds are three feet wide.

The cottage is owned by a bilingual couple who are able to assist in all aspects of house search and purchase arrangements in the area. They are on- site during most of the Spring/Summer season. Payment by overseas customers can be made using Visa and Paypal.

Special features:

• Bilingual assistance available on site • Credit cards accepted

The property provides a homely base, from which you can venture quite long distances in one day trips, or, for the stay at home type of person, there is so much space, comfort, greenery and tranquility, that doing nothing at all is an attractive option. The cottage is close to a 17th century Abbaye built on the site of an early Christian site. The Abbaye is still served by the Premontais order, and remains an active place of worship. The sound of the bells at the cottage gives the area a very attractive and nostalgic atmosphere. Bayeux, a city renowned for the cathedral consecrated by William the Conqueror, is located a few minutes drive from the house. The City is home to the world-famous Tapestries that narrate the battle of Hastings and the Norman conquest of England. They are now displayed in a special building which can be viewed by the public, with translations in all major languages. Bayeux is one of the few towns in Normandy that has been left unscathed by the second world war. As a result, the city has retained some of its late medieval buildings. The narrow streets are full of boutiques, pavement coffee shops and bars, and the whole atmosphere is magical. At Port-en-Bessin you can buy fresh fish at the market every day of the week. Nearby is the 27-hole Omaha Beach Golf Club. The clubhouse welcomes outside visitors for both drinks and dining, with wonderful sea views from its dining room. The club is friendly and relaxed, and the "plat de jour" at lunchtime is excellent value.

There are several very good fish restaurants in the port as well, with Le Vauban, offering a $15 three-course meal, which usually includes oysters… St Laurent-sur-Mer(Omaha Beach), the Mulberry harbour in Arromanches and the three other beaches are standing testimony of the Allied’s landing, an event that stopped the descent of Europe into the darkest abysses. Ohama beach is wonderful for family sand castle times, as is, on a much smaller scale, the beach at Arromanche. The British and US cemeteries at Omaha and in Bayeux remind the traveler of what was at stake and the debt that is owed to the sacrifice of so many. Caen is the nearest large town, 20 minutes away from the cottage. Its University was created by the English during the War of Hundred Years and is the second oldest French university after the Sorbonne in Paris. The city was for a while the hub of the Norman administration and the remnants of the Citadel still harbour the famous Hall of the Exchequer from where the Anglo-Norman finances were managed. You will also find the much more recently built Peace Museum. St. Etienne, the Men's Abbaye was financed by the Conqueror's personal wealth, and it contains the tomb of King William 1st of England. The Church miraculously escaped the quasi-devastation of the city in 1944. So did the Ladies Abbaye which was commissioned and paid for by Mathilda, wife of William. Falaise is about one hour from the cottage. This is where King William was born and spent his childhood. Part of the castle still stands.

Further afield, at about 2 hours by car, the valley of the Seine displays its rich cultural heritage. The flamboyant Gothic Cathedral of Rouen, the quaint harbour of Honfleur, are both worth a visit, as well as the elegant resorts of Trouville and Deauville. The river Seine, its valley and its estuary were the prime inspiration of the Impressionists. Monet's garden at Giverny remains intact and was the subject of the famous Nympheas series of paintings. Equally within reach is the Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is surrounded by the sea at high tide, and was once an invincible bastion as well as a pilgrimage site where pilgrims journeyed from all parts of Europe. Paris is a possible trip, as trains are fast and frequent. Easy parking at the station car park in Bayeux. Normandy, land of the Norsemen (Normans), has a fascinating history. It was one of the last steps in the expansion of the Vikings before the Norman colonisation of Sicily and of England. The province is a crossroad of modern influences: the Vikings, the Normans, the English and the French.

One corner of the living room, with its comfortable seating and oak beamed ceiling	An area of the well-equipped kitchen.
The main bedroom with the en-suite bathroom.

A delightful stay in a warm home. Congratulations on the master bedroom, in particular!
Shiela S. - Dublin, Ireland

There could not be a better place for a grandfather to bring three teenage grandsons. I hope to return with wife and other family or friends. Your place is beautiful, much better than I had hoped.
Howard M. - Kansas, U.S.A.

Everything was perfect - even the weather. The quiet, the food, the wine and all the various wonderful sites. We shall return - next time for good - retirement is near!
Robin and Jacqueline C. - Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

We loved the cottage! Especially the romantic master bedroom. We had fabulously hot weather. Everything was just right!
Andy N. - Calgary, Canada

We had a great time and very much appreciated the shady garden when it was too hot to think about doing anything else. A very nice cottage in a lovely peaceful location. The kids loved all the insects, toads, sheep and particularly the glow worms.
The G. family - Edinburgh, Scotland

We had a pleasant day in Bayeux. Enjoyed the Saturday market and the surrounding villages. We attended Passion Sunday service at the Abbaye- thanks to Jean - beautiful Service. Then visited Omaha Beach - so many things to do- so little time, but the cottage gave us a place to unwind.
Cynthia A. - Claremont, California, USA

Utterly perfect! The silence has been wonderful, weather superb and your very well-appointed kitchen has allowed us to feast well. Cant wait to come back.
Johnny A. - Salisbury, Hampshire, U.K.

What a magical place! Just what we needed to enjoy our wonderful family - surrounded by your family! We dont want to leave. Have barely begun to appreciate the local area. Thanks so much!
Karma and Jim N. - Bozeman, Montana, U S A

Wonderful cottage with fantastic garden - loved the sheep!
Sahha and Mark C. - Malta

Wonderful location. Marcia is beautiful. We will be back!
Noel and Eilish H. - Antrim, Northern Ireland

Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. The sun was shining the whole time! We enjoyed every minute of this magical setting.
Kate W. - Brussels, Belgium