Terrace (click to enlarge)

La Marelle (click to enlarge)

Normandy- Long Term Lets List

Bargain Gite Normandy

Lovely oak-beamed farmhouse in an idyllic rural setting

La Marelle, situated between St James & Pontorson
12 miles from Mont St Michel and close to Avranches

3 bedrooms, sleeps up to 7

Situated amid peaceful green fields in this lovely country area, right on the border of Normandy and Brittany, La Marelle is the perfect place to unwind. The house, which sleeps up to seven people, is a converted farmhouse on two floors.

La Marelle is an old house - built at least 200 years ago - and we have left it with many original features. There are exposed oak beams in the upstairs ceilings and the 18-inch-thick stone walls upstairs have been lightly plastered but not covered over.

Much of the furniture is vintage or antique, with a smattering of Ikea. We really like the contrast, because we feel it maintains the house's original character, but if you are the sort of family who prefers formica and stripped pine, this may not be the house for you!

Accommodation

Downstairs there are three rooms.

The largest is the living-room/kitchen, which has a fireplace with woodburning stove cooler evenings. The kitchen is new thiss year! Attractive Ikea units, new electric oven and hotplate, new fridge with freezer compartment, dishwasher, washing machine and microwave oven.The living area has two sofas and various comfortable chairs.

Next door is the dining room with Victorian table and chairs, seating at least 8 people.

There is also a small single bedroom on this floor.

Upstairs are two further bedrooms. One has an antique French double bed and an antique French single, the other has three single beds.

The bathroom has a power-shower, washbasin and toilet.

Outside is a lovely sunny terrace, and an attractive planted area which leads to a large orchard/field, ideal for children to run about in!

There is gravelled parking for two or three cars.

Prices and booking information

Prices are quoted in UK pounds sterling. However we can also accept payment in euros if required.

Please contact us if you want to stay longer than a week as we can offer a small reduction for two or more weeks. Longer lets (one month or more) are also negotiable at a substantially reduced rate.

About our region

The local area is full of interesting things to do. You can reach some glorious beaches in about 35 minutes, and the famous Mont St Michel is only twelve miles away. There are museums, medieval towns, chateaux, aquariums, swimming pools and various other attractions within easy reach.

Nearby Towns

La Marelle is equidistant between two small but lively towns, both about 7 miles away. St James is a pretty, unspoiled market town (market day Monday) with a large supermarket, Super U, on the outskirts. Pontorson, in the other direction, is more tourist-oriented, with lots of shops and restaurants.

Fifteen miles to the north is the larger town Avranches, which has a wonderful large market every Saturday, a swimming pool, a museum, a castle, and some extremely tempting shops.

Other attractive towns within easy reach include St Malo, with its walled old city and busy port, Fougeres, which has one of the largest medieval chateaux in Europe, and Dinard, a delightfully stylish seaside town.

Restaurants

Where to start! There are so many. Nearest to home is the charming little Hotel des Voyageurs in the village of Sacey, about 2 km away. The chef has won prizes for his excellent cooking. Both St James and Pontorson have many restaurants. In Pontorson we very much like the creperie Cote Bleu. In Avranches you can find Indian and Chinese restaurants if you are tired of French food!

Gardens

There are several chateaux with attractive gardens in the local area which you can visit. We particularly like the Parc Floral de Bretagne, which is close to Fougeres. In the house you will find a folder with information about other gardens open to the public.

Beaches

The nearest beach to La Marelle is Carolles, on the coast of the Cotentin Peninsular, about 35 minutes to the north. This is a huge, white sand beach, and very child-friendly. Drive west into Brittany and in about 40 minutes you can reach the Plage des Vergers, near Cancale, which is equally beautiful -- a bit like Cornwall, but bigger and emptier! There are many other beaches, both big and small, on this spectacularly beautiful stretch of coast.

Attractions for kids

A must-see is the large aquarium in St Malo, a wonderful day out for the whole family. A smaller aquarium can be found on Granville, on the Normandy coast. There are several small zoos and theme parks within easy reach of the house, and children will really enjoy the large indoor pool in Avranches, which has a big slide, fountains, a jacuzzi and more!

Getting there

La Marelle is easily reached by road from one of the many ferry ports on the Brittany and Normandy coasts. Nearest to the house is St Malo, only about 45 minutes drive. Caen and Cherbourg are both just under two hours away. These three are all served by Brittany Ferries.

For a much more inexpensive crossing but a longer drive (about 5 hours) take a ferry to Calais or Boulogne. We highly recommend Speed Ferries from Dover to Boulogne which can cost less than £50 return.

If you prefer to fly and hire a car when you get there, the nearest airport is Dinard, just 45 minutes from the house and served by Ryanair who sometimes offer very cheap flights.

There is also an airport at Rennes, less than an hour away, now served by Flybe from Southampton.

Cars can be hired inexpensively at both these airports, and the airlines offer good discounts on these: Brittany Ferries, Speed Ferries, Ryanair & Flybe.

For further details and photographs please visit the owner's website at:

www.lamarelle.iowners.net

To book this bargain gite in Normandy please contact the owner:

Harriet Devine

Click here to email the owner

Tel: 01695 722 584
International: +44 1695 722 584

When booking this property please mention Relax in France

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