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Chateau de L'Isle-Marie (click to enlarge)

 
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Château de L'Isle-Marie

6 Luxurious Guest Rooms in the Castle
offering Bed & Breakfast Accommodation
sleeping 2 to 16

3 Self Catering Apartments
in the Manor House on the Estate sleeping up to 14

Groups of up to 30 can be accommodated

Click here to email owner

 

 

 

 

 

  The Estate

Within three hours drive from Paris lies the Chateau de L'Isle-Marie, set in the heart of rural Normandy. A majestic, tree-lined avenue leads to a romantic castle.

Surrounded by a one hundred acre estate with rivers, meadows and woodland, L'Isle-Marie stands on the elevated site of an ancient, Viking fortress and, in the winter time, forms a true island in the flood plain of the marais. The estate forms part of a protected National Park.

In spring and summer, the lush meadows and woodlands of the estate burst into blossom, and in autumn the countryside is ablaze with colour. In the winter the flooded fields around the castle wreath it in a magical mist that makes it appear to float on a shimmering sea that mirrors sky. One does not need to stay long in this region to understand why it provided inspiration for the French Impressionists.

The estate today comprises three main residences: the Chateau de L'Isle-Marie, the Manoir de Bellefonds and the original Château aux Epaules.

All these buildings and their interiors have been featured in numerous, prestigious periodicals: Residence, Colonial Homes, Nouveau, More than Classic, Living, Textile Decor, Cote Ouest, Country Homes, Interiors Victoria and Travel & Leisure, which recently chose Château de l'Isle-Marie as one of 50 Most Romantic Hideaways Worldwide!

The estate is situated in the center of the Normandy Peninsula, that borders the English Channel. It forms an excellent base from which to explore the attractions of the region, and is within easy-driving distance of the D-Day Invasion beaches, Bayeux and Mont Saint-Michel.

Accommodation

Guests can choose between bed and breakfast accommodation in the castle and luxurious apartments in the manor house on the estate.

Luxury Bed and Breakfast in the Château

Open from March until late October, the Château offers six
luxurious guest rooms, including a pair of two-bedroom suites. All the rooms are very large and elegantly appointed and all have en-suite bathrooms featuring massive, “claw-foot” bathtubs and walk-in showers.

The bedrooms are furnished with baldaquin or four-poster beds and enjoy extensive views over the grounds and the surrounding countryside. L'Isle-Marie is truly an island, of calm and tranquillity.

The atmosphere is intimate: refined but relaxed. Guests at L'Isle-Marie are regarded as friends rather than mere residents. We pride ourselves on being able to offer individual advice and assistance with day trips, restaurant reservations, local shops, history and folklore.

On site computer access is available for guests who wish to monitor their e-mail. The Château may be opened in the winter upon request and the self-catering apartments in adjacent manor house are open all year round.

Croissants and Marmalade

Breakfast is taken in the large, family dining room. Several tables are usally laid and guests may mingle or find a quiet corner as they please.

It has been known for visitors from four continents to enjoy delicious croissants and brioche, milk and yoghurt together, all of which has been produced within walking distance of where they are sitting.

Homemade preserves, local honey, cheese and muesli are available, as are tea and coffee (we have decaffeinated!) tea, chocolate, herbal infusions and orange juice. Fresh seasonal fruits are also available.

Drinks in the Drawing Room

The sumptuous drawing room provides a luxurious retreat at any time. Guests may enjoy morning coffee, afternoon tea, pre-dinner cocktails or after-dinner drinks - or simply fall asleep in an armchair.

In warm weather, the terrace is a fine spot to relax, over-looking the gardens and the marais. Norman sunsets can be spectacular; it was the light quality of the region that inspired the famous French Impressionists.

In the evenings a log fire is set and guests may relax and enjoy browsing the extensive library of art books or listening to music from an eclectic selection of records and CDs. For those who wish to make their own music, a grand piano occupies a corner of the drawing room.

A “Table d' Hôte” is served several times a week in the summertime, in the splendid dining room of the original, 16th century Château Aux Epaules, - now the house farm - which stands in the grounds of the estate. The menu varies from day-to-day. And it is truly international: from French traditional cuisine to refined oriental dishes. All produce used is being bought fresh. Any dietary require-ments may be accommodated - just let us know!

The dining room, lit by candles and firelight is wonderfully romantic and our chef goes to great lengths to ensure that the quality of the cuisine matches the atmosphere. A selection of fine wines is available, naturally, plus excellent, locally produced Cidre Bouche. Needless to say, local cheeses including Camembert and Pont l'Eveque are always available in perfect condition.

Apartments in the Manor House

Transformed into three, elegant, self-contained apartments, the Manoir de Bellefonds is the most recent addition to the “L’ Isle-Marie Experience.” The manor house stands a stone's throw from the castle, which can be glimpsed through the majestic chesnut trees that surround it.

Le Maréchal - Grandeur & Comfort (sleeps 6/8)

The Maréchal is named after the Maréchal de Bellefonds and occupies the entire bel-étage (first floor). It commands delightful views across the Norman countryside.

The Maréchal has exclusive use of the original stone staircase.

On one side of the staircase is the up to date kitchen and the children's bathroom.

On the other side of the staircase lies the large dining / drawing room which is painted a delicate shade of antique rose and can easily accommodate ten for dinner.

There are two master bedrooms with their own en suite bathrooms and in between the two is a twin bedroom.

All the bedrooms are decorated in either toile de jouy or antique chintz.

Large private terrace with a outdoor dining table in the garden.

Le Chevalier: sturdy elegance, spring colours (sleeps 2/4)

Named after the Chevalier Sainte Marie du Mont, the ancestor who founded a nearby town, this suite of two large rooms is on the ground floor and is decorated in spring colours.

The main salon is resplendent in empire yellow.

The modern, galley kitchen gives access to the gardens and private terrace.

The bedroom is painted in celadon green.

The bathroom is accessible from the bedroom and the salon, making it possible for two people to sleep in the salon on comfortable single beds.

La Marquise: a romantic retreat ( sleeps 2 )

Named after the Marquise d'Aigneaux, an ancestor, the apartment is an intimate accommodation on the ground floor.

The bedroom/drawing room with its fireplace is painted cornflower blue with matching Toile de Jouy - the printed fabric depicting landscapes and figures for which the eighteenth-century factory of Jouy-en-Josas, near Versailles, was famous.

The spacious dining room/kitchen area features the imposing, original stone fireplace.

There is a large all white bathroom with bath, shower, large basin and WC.

A private terrace off the kitchen looks out over the large garden.

Prices and Booking information

B&B - €149 to €179 euros per night including breakfast

Self Catering Apartments from €120 euros per night

About our region

Just across the Channel from London and not very far from Paris, you will find the welcoming region of Normandy. Forests, tranquil streams flowing lazily through rich agricultural countryside and apple orchards are the hallmark of this unique region.

Many of the good things in life originate from Normandy; it is the country of cider, calvados & camembert. The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel has been a spiritual centre since the early middle ages. Sadly, the coastal area of North-Western France also witnessed many ferocious battles and human tragedies.

After the Vikings (or Norsemen, hence the name Norman) had occupied the region in the ninth century, turbulent times were far from over. In the eleventh century William the Conqueror crossed the channel from here to invade England. The story of William's venture is depicted on the famous Bayeux Tapestry, now in the town museum of Bayeux. This is just one of the many art treasures you can admire on a visit to Normandy.

More recently, Normandy was the epicentre for the decisive D-Day invasion in WWII On the 6th of June 1944 a huge allied army landed on the beaches, code-named Utah, Omaha and Gold beach. War memorials and museums keep the memory of the liberators and the sacrifices they made alive.

Getting There

By air: Airports at Caen: - 95km, Cherbourg: - 50km, Paris: - 300 km

Car hire is available at all airports.

By road: Ferry Ports: Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre. From the motorway Château de l'Isle-Marie is just 5 minutes from the Route National (RN13) that connects Cherbourg and Caen.

By rail: Carental: 10km (on the line Paris Gare St-Lazre - Cherbourg).

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

www.islemarie.com

To book your accommodation in Château L'Isle Marie please contact the owner:

Dorothea de la Houssaye

Click here to email the owner

Tel: 02 33 21 37 25
International: +33 2 33 21 37 25

Fax: 02 33 21 42 22
International Fax: +33 2 33 21 42 22

When booking this property please mention Relax in France

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