Three Spectacular Gites in the heart of the hills of the Pays d’Auge, Calvados, Normandy

La Cour Mare is a farm of Character, probably dating back to the 17th century, renovated in the 19th century and situated in the heart of the hills of the Pays d’Auge in the Orne region on the edge of Calvados. Set in the tranquil village of Crouttes, it is about 8 kilometres from both the cheesevillages of Livarot and Vimoutiers.

La Cour Mare consists of 3 gîtes: the Farm House, Le Pressoir and the Studio. The gîtes can be rented seperately or together as a group accommodation for 21 persons. They open onto the big garden which is enclosed by hedges and are south-facing. Apple trees and rose bushes abound. A swimming pool measuring 3 metres by 5 metres, conforming to standards required for use by children will refresh you in the summer.

This pretty valley in the Pays d’Auge, covered with fields brimming with apple trees where brown and white cows graze, is typical of the region. The Croutes stream winds its way along the bottom of the valley in the shadow of the alders. Opposite la Cour Mare is the Saint-Michel priory, an ancient building formally part of the Jumièges Abbey with its 18th century tithe barn and classed as an historic monument which opens up its beautiful gardens and Benedictine farm buildings for public viewing.

Normandy is rich in gastronomic products which have given it its reputation like camembert, cider and calvados. You can try them at the local farms or in the quaint little restaurants hidden away in the surrounding area. You can also buy them direct from the producers or at the local markets.

There are no shortages of excursions: farm visits to see goats up close as well as cows and rambling routes. A local heritage of countryside and architecture – churches, manors etc - inspires you to walk

La Cour Mare lays on the pilgrimage route "Rouen - Le Mont Saint Michel - Santiago de Compostela" recognized as European Cultural Way. La Cour Mare offers the pilgrims also a "Halte Saint Michel"

THE BRICK FARM HOUSE:

Comprises 5 bedrooms sleeping between 6 to 11 people.
Large windows on both sides of the house give rise to a panoramic view over the valley with its fields and the priory Saint-Michel over 300 metres away.

Ground floor

Beside the house, an outbuilding will enable you to deposit your baggage and your bicycles. A freezer, a washing-machine, a dryer, and washing sinks complete with hot and cold running water, complete the amenities available.

First floor

A stairway of 6 steps leads up to the first floor

- corridor opening out into the studio with double bed of 1,40 m wide, and water closet with shower and toilet

- very large living-room with wood-burning stove and charming well-equipped kitchen with washing-machine, oven microwave etc

- toilet and water closet

Second floor

- 1 bedrooms with a double bed of 1,40 m wide

- 1 bedroom with a double bed of 1,80 m wide

- 1 bedroom with three single beds of 0,90 m wide

- 1 Bedroom with two single beds of 0,90 m wide  and walk-through water closet with shower and sink

- WC and shower

Every bedroom is equiped with a sink and a bidet (hot and cold water)

The living-room and the studio have central heating, in the bedrooms are electric convectors

Price per week 875 euros (with 4 bedrooms + studio on groundfloor) or 800 (4 bedrooms without studio)

Price for shorter periods € 175 / night (four bedrooms + studio on groundfloor) and € 135 / night (four bedrooms without studio)

Cleaning 50 euros

LE PRESSOIR:

Comprises 4 bedrooms sleeping between 6 to 10 people :

The pressoir and the extension which housed the cider press, date back to the 17th century. It has been converted into a comfortable gîte for 10 people. It is typical of the Pays d’Auge region with its colombage, exposed beams and fired earth floor tiling.

Ground floor

- large living-room with spacious seating area, well-equipped kitchen with dishwasher, oven, microwave etc….

- Toilet

- Water-closet with shower, sink and washing-machine

- Wood-burning stove and central heating

First floor

- family bedroom with double bed of 1,40 m wide and 2 single beds of 0,90 m wide

- 3 bedrooms with 2 single beds of 0,90 m wide

- Toilets and shower

- 2 water closets with hot and cold water

- central heating

Price per week 675 euros

Price for shorter periods € 120 / night

Final Cleaning 50 euros

THE STUDIO: (was part of the 17th century barn) 

Comprises : A spacious bedroom with a separate toilet and shower. The studio can accommodate up to 4 people. The windows look out onto the garden and the fields.

In the studio you will find:

- a well-equipped kitchenette with an oven and a microwave

- a double bed of 1,40 m wide

- A dining-area overlooking the garden

- A seating-area

- Toilet and water closet with shower and sink

- Possibility of a child’s bed and a highchair (available on request)

- Central heating

- Barbecue and garden furniture, Wifi

Price per week 350 euros

Price for shorter periods € 65 / night

Cleaning 25 euros

Duvets and pillows are provided. Duvet covers and pillowcases are available on request at 11 euros per person.

WIFI is available throughout all properties.

Gas, water, electricity and taxes are included in the price. 

For the Gastronomes

Normandy is the Promised Land for gastronomes. Apart from the butter, the cream, the cider, the Calvados and the camembert, the poultry, the beef and seafood have a worldwide reputation. Certain dishes like tripe, ‘à la mode de Caen’, lamb, ‘de présalé roti’; l’omelette, ‘de la Mère Poulard’ and ‘la teurgoule’ (a rice pudding speciality) are second to none.

If you like seafood, Normandy can offer you magnificent and tasty oysters, scallops, whelks and crabs in abundance. To meet the fishing boats arrive at the port of Trouville to buy fresh fish and to taste them together with a good fresh Sancerre is a must. You can discover these specialities of the region in the little restaurants near to La Cour Mare.

To See and Do 

The coast is 55 kilometres from La Cour Mare: Honfleur, Deauville, and Trouville are second to none. The family beaches are Blonville sur mer and Houlgate.
Opposite La Cour Mare: the Priory Saint-Michel, rural dependence of the Benedictine Abbey of the Jumièges, houses one of the rare tithe barns of the 13th century with its prayer chapel, also 13th century and beautiful gardens created in 1984 by Anne Chahine (see “Itineraries of the homeland”published by the D.R.A.C of lower Normandy)

The landing of the allies on the Normandy coast put an end to the second world war. All the landing beaches are worth visiting, especially the Memorial de Caen, Arromanches, the Montormel….
In Falaise, William the Conqueror’s impressive castle. Medieval villages like Orbec,Saint Céneri le Gerei, Bernay, Le Sap, Bec Hellouin…
The shops and cultural events in Caen and Rouen. The Mont St Michel: the wonder of the west, on the frontier with Brittany, adhering to world heritage for humanity.

Normandy is also the home of impressionism with the Monet gardens in Giverny, the Boudin museum in Honfleur….

There are numerous splendid gardens like those attached to the Château de Canon, the Château de Carrouges, the Château de Vendeuvre ( to be found in the Parks and Gardens of Lower Normandy brochure)
The weekly markets on Mondays at St Pierre and on Saturdays at Lisieux where you can find the best of the fresh organic products sold directly from the producer to the consumer.

A golf course with nine holes at Livarot (together with beginners lessons)
Visit a farm – the Goat farm and the Poney club are as fun for the adults as they are for the children. The exceptional Cerza Zoo, deep in the countryside yet near to Lisieux is a visit not to be missed
There are a number of walks with distances between 3 and 20 kilometres. 

WEEKLY RATES DEPEND ON ACCOMMODATION AND SIZE OF THE GROUP STAYING - PLEASE CONTACT OWNER BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS.