*Please note that specific features may vary for each property within the estate. For details, please refer to the facilities list for each individual property.
The beautiful Domaine de L’Église allows you the opportunity to stay on a historic estate in Normandy, only 3.5km from the sea. This is the Cotentin peninsula, famed for its vast sandy beaches, important WWII sites and charming seaside villages with restaurants serving freshly harvested oysters and moules-frites.
This prestigious estate sleeps up to 24 guests across four elegant dwellings, each one with its own living spaces, kitchen and en suite bedrooms. The origins of the domaine go as far back as the 17th century and each new home has a different story to tell having been brought back to life following a remarkable restoration.
Starting off with the main residence sleeping 8 guests, Manoir Cotentin, dating back to the time of Louis XIII. Appreciate its exquisite architecture, refined furnishings and graceful décor. We adore the historic elegance of the living and dining room whilst the four double bedrooms upstairs add to the romance – one even has its own roll top bath hidden behind the pretty curtains.
The former stables, Hippocampe, have also undergone a superb renovation, now an inviting holiday home for 6 guests in the south wing of the manoir. There’s an equestrian theme across the light-filled living and dining space with its open-plan kitchen whilst the cleverly designed stairs take you up to three gorgeous bedrooms, all en suite.
Next to the Manoir and former stables is La Marine with its intricately restored façade. This detached home has been split into two apartments – one on the ground floor with an overall traditional atmosphere, the other upstairs with lofty ceilings and blue-hued décor inspired by the sea. La Marine hosts 4 guests on each floor - each self-contained apartment has its own living-dining area, kitchen and two en suite bedrooms.
Finally, Le Cormoran awaits, the most unique abode of the estate, a hexagonal tower that was once a pigeonnier in the 1600s. It’s truly amazing that over 2000 nesting holes have been preserved and restored in the top-floor master bedroom with its king-size bed and round copper bath. Quirky steps lead back down to the characterful living space with a large fireplace and well-equipped kitchen, perfect for up to 2 guests.
This wonderful domaine would be ideal for an extended family holiday, a special meet-up with friends or a romantic wedding in Normandy. When hiring the estate exclusively, guests can gather in the garden for al-fresco feasts as the church bells chime and make the most of the beautiful parkland with lovely lawns, old château ruins, summer roses, herbs and the large natural pond.
Using the estate’s bikes, cycle to the beach just 3.5km away for vast sandy shores backed by colourful beach houses – it really is a charming ambience. Utah Beach is just 10km away, home to the Utah Beach Landing Museum, or head north to the magnificent Plage de Quinéville. Across this coastline discover golf, summer horse-riding, sand-yachting and other water-based adventures.
Nearby Sainte-Mère-Église played a vital role in June 1944 as the first village to be liberated by Allied forces. Visit its lovely market on a Thursday morning and pick up sweet treats from its biscuit shop.
Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue is the place to go for oysters overlooking the port, perhaps after a trip to Tatihou Island reached via an amphibious craft crossing the oyster beds at low tide. Try mussels and frites in Barfleur or spend the day in Cherbourg with its great maritime heritage.
Other regional highlights include historic Bayeux and the D-Day Landing beaches of Omaha and Arromanches-les-Bains. Mont Saint-Michel is another gem of northern France, one of the country’s most visited destinations and less than a 2-hour drive from your historic Normandy estate.
Photography by Pascal Othlinghaus & Eric Sanders
