Charming Holiday Cottages to rent in southern Normandy, France, near Domfront - La Fermette Reviews

This was our third visit to Nigel and Paula’s gites, this time staying in La Fermette. We were last here about 15 years ago but the welcome was very much the same and it was very easy to catch up from where we had left off! It was a real pleasure to be here once again and relaxed in the knowledge that we would have a great holiday.

The gites are well appointed and comfortable and Nigel and Paula are most welcoming but also discrete – if you need their help or advice they are there.

Ceauce is very handy within a short bike ride away and yes the boulangerie opposite the church is definitely the best and friendliest however good or bad your French is! Just south of Ceauce is the start of a 40km former railway line ideal for walking or cycling. A small river runs through Ceauce with something of a man-made lake with plenty of trout.

Within easy reach of Le Haut Fresnay are places like Bagnoles and Domfront; further afield lie day trips to Granville, Avranches, Caen and of course the D-Day beaches. Fishing from the pier at Granville requires no licence but can get very crowded!

At the time of our visit in mid/late August we were able to take advantage of their over-laden fruit trees and also the blackberries which grow in abundance down the country lanes.

Well worth a visit is la Ferme des Martellières in Sept Forges where tasting of the local products is not too be missed; they are very accommodating and will welcome you even if just tasting.

Le Haut Fresnay is a lovely place to stay and allows the visitor to do as much or as little as is wanted energetic or otherwise; it's up to you to make the most of what is on offer; there is plenty of choice whether just sitting in a local cafe enjoying a coffee and croissant watching the day go by, cycling down the quiet county lanes, doing a bit of history or simply enjoying a bar-b-que at Le Haut Fresnay with a good glass of something red in the hand!

We had a wonderful holiday at le Fresnaie in July of this year. Nigel and Pauline are very helpful, and unobtrusive hosts, and they even ordered the beautiful weather for us! I would echo the comments of Margaret and Andrew Kirby in July 2012, regarding le Fresnaie,and the thought that has gone into making it wheelchair/disabled friendly, externally as well as internally. There is so much space,again inside and out, and it's position affords lots of privacy, without feeling 'cut off'. The kitchen is well equiped, with everything you could ask for. The British T.V. was a bonus, particulary as it was Wimbledon, and Andy Murry's triumph! It was lovely to be back in France again, it was our first trip since Dave's illness left him disabled four years ago. We had many camping holidays in France in the past, and it was good to be back again,in this rural and unspoilt part of the country. Thanks to Nigel and Pauline for a lovely holiday.

We have already booked for next year. What can be be better than sitting watching bees birds red squirrels and deer on a summers day/evening with a glass of wine in your own garden? This! In their garden! Wonderful. Cottage was wonderful too but we spent most of time outside as we were lucky with weather.Gets no better than this!