Once the stables of a 17th century manoir, Hippocampe is a wonderful holiday home on the Cotentin peninsula just a short cycle ride from the beach and close to several important WWII sites in Normandy.
Step into the warm and cosy living space with traditionally tiled flooring, comfortable seating, a rustic dining table and an open-plan modern kitchen. There is an authentically charming ambience throughout with many nods to the past with its horse themed décor. French windows open out to a pretty terrace area for al-fresco meals accompanied by the sounds of church bells and bleating sheep.
Follow the sensitively designed staircase to the upper floor for three lovely bedrooms including an especially romantic double with a canopied bed, lofty ceilings and a bath tub alongside two further en suite bedrooms (one double, one double or twin). With elegant interiors, Hippocampe comfortably sleeps up to 6 guests.
This inviting home is located in the south-wing of Manoir Cotentin and also part of the same beautiful estate as neighbouring La Marine and the old pigeonnier, Le Cormoran. Whilst the former stables has its own terrace area, the vast grounds are otherwise shared between all four dwellings – stroll around the old château ruins, admire summer lavender and roses, seek solitude by the pond and relax across the English and French-style gardens.
The old church regularly chimes its bells next door and just a little further there is a small village. Make the most of the estate’s bikes and cycle to the beach, just 3.5km away, to paddle or swim in the waves of the English channel at high tide. It’s a lovely spot with colourful beach houses facing the sea.
Across this stretch of coastline, discover summer horse-riding on the beach, sand-yachting in Utah, golf with a sea view and a wealth of WWII memorials and sites. Utah Beach and its Landing Museum is only 10km by car whilst Plage de Quinéville’s World War II Museum is also within a short drive. Slightly inland, Sainte-Mère-Église, the first village to be liberated by Allied forces, is just over 7km away.
Enjoy a wealth of Normandy experiences. Try local oysters overlooking the marina in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue or freshly harvested mussels in Barfleur, both picturesque coastal villages nearby. A little further afield, soak up the summer ambience of Barneville-Carteret, take a boat trip from Granville or even venture as far as Mont Saint-Michel, one of the most visited destinations in France.
Photography by Pascal Othlinghaus & Eric Sanders
