Manoir D'Auge

Fall in love with this picture-perfect house in Normandy set in a beautiful garden with a heated swimming pool and apple orchard. In the Pays d’Auge countryside near Pont-l'Évêque, staying at Manoir D’Auge is a quintessential Normandy experience close to pretty villages, cider farms and markets, only half an hour from the Belle Époque seaside town of Deauville. 

Having remained in the same family for generations, the owners are delighted to offer their gorgeous thatched cottage to up to 10 guests throughout the year. Manoir d’Auge is chic and stylish yet also exudes traditional warmth and comfort alongside plenty of contemporary touches. Relax in the salon with century-old wood beams, a large fireplace and a sumptuous corner sofa as well as Smart TV (Netflix and satellite channels) and high-end sound system. The country kitchen features an open fire for winter cooking alongside all the modern appliances you could wish to prepare delicious meals, perhaps to enjoy on the long terrace as summer arrives.

The charming ambience continues upstairs with five double bedrooms, four with queen-sized beds (one which can be split as a twin), all featuring phone chargers, TVs and good quality bedding and linen ensuring a restful sleep. Wake up in the morning to glorious garden or valley views.

It feels like the owners have thought of everything here. Cider, apple juice and other local products will be left out for your arrival, there’s bottled water in the bedrooms and even an initial supply of kitchen basics and Nespresso capsules are provided. The French billiard room is another touch of elegance whilst there are board games and plenty of outdoor games for all ages (pétanque, badminton, swing ball etc).

The large sun-filled garden is an absolute joy. Savour your morning coffee on the outdoor sofa listening to birdsong, enjoy picnics beneath the shady trees and gather for al-fresco evening feasts on the long terrace overlooking summer roses, hydrangeas and the verdant lawn. The pétanque court and apple orchard add yet more French character whilst guests will also adore the seasonal swimming pool, set a little further down in the garden, fully-enclosed and heated in the summer months.

In the Calvados region of Normandy, there is so much to explore during your time in this captivating part of rural northern France. There is a small village just 2km away with a highly regarded restaurant serving home-made Normandy dishes whilst historic Liseux (8.5km) is home to more restaurants, shops and a lovely market on a Saturday morning for stocking up on local cheese, cider, seafood and more.

Follow the Route du Cidre as you discover idyllic villages such as Cambremer, Beaufour-Druval and Beuvron-en-Auge within a short drive, and visit nearby cider farms (also try calvados, perry and Pommeau). Pont-l'Évêque, less than 20 minutes away, is a paradise for gourmands with its cheese producers, food shops and Monday morning market showcasing one of Normandy’s oldest and most famous cheeses.

Then there’s the splendour of La Côte Fleurie including the French seaside town of Deauville, so loved by Parisians with its boutiques, high-end restaurants and iconic boardwalk. Soak up the historic magnificence of Honfleur and spend the day by the vast sandy beaches of Trouville-sur-Mer or Cabourg.

The D-Day landing beaches of Arromanches-les-Bains and Omaha are just over an hour away whilst the white-cliffs of Étretat are in the other direction, via the maritime city of Le Havre. After a busy day exploring, return to your authentic, high-end home in Normandy and truly appreciate its charming and characterful surroundings.