As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to Normandy, Paul Bloomfield picks out a selection of places to stay in this wonderful region in northern France.
Normandy’s choice of accommodation can justifiably be described as ‘eclectic’. Hotels and B&Bs have been created within a host of historic structures: châteaux and charming wooden caravans, an ancient leper colony, a former school, the shell of a medieval castle keep. There’s innovation, too: an ‘earthship’, half-buried in the ground and fully self-sustaining for power and water; tents suspended high in the forest canopy; even lodges within a safari park. You can bed down in self-catering lodges, yurts, tipis, a cider barrel or a converted dovecote. Or enjoy the delights of a flower-draped cottage, a stylish hotel or a grand retreat in a vast estage.
One thing each place has in common is its commitment to a small environmental footprint – without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Using our carefully picked network of accommodation, you’re set to explore every corner of this most fascinating French region.
Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Green Traveller's Guide to Normandy:
Green = Places to stay Blue = Local food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities
Places to stay in Normandy
Château de Chantore, Normandy, France
This 18th-century mini-palace is remarkable not so much for its treasury of period art and furnishings, but for the passion and verve of Bernard and Iñaki, the antiques-loving pair who have restored it so wonderfully. chateaudechantore.com
Clos Saint-Gilles, Normandy, France
A leper colony might seem an odd choice for conversion to a guesthouse – but this 17th-century half-timbered building and adjacent farmhouse captured the imagination of Gilles and Joëlle de Champ, both passionate about old structures and gardens. leclossaintgilles.fr
La Ferme des Isles, Normandy, France
There’s an art to blending heritage with contemporary styling and comforts, a balance that La Ferme des Isles strikes with élan. The meadows roll down to the River Eure, and animals are on hand to play cute, making this place ideal for families. lafermedesisles.com
Le Boistier, Normandy, France
Jean and Gilberte, progressive owners of this magnificent 15th-century manor house, restored using traditional local methods, cherish their situation in the Parc Naturel Régional du Perche. And they’re keen for you to appreciate it, too. giteduboistier.com
Manoir de la Fieffe, Normandy, France
Just a short hop from the dramatic northern coast of the Cotentin Peninsula, and convenient for the port at Cherbourg, this 16th-century manor house has three suites, a substantial bedroom and a self-catering cottage in the old bakery. manoirdelafieffe.com
À l’École Buissonnière, Normandy, France
At this gem of a converted girls’ school (opened in 1878, but in a much older building), there are no long lists of rules, no homework, just a sensitively restored and furnished B&B in the historic centre of Honfleur just steps from the old port. a-lecole-buissonniere.com
Au Clos Monbrun, Normandy, France
Two bedrooms in this sensitively restored farmhouse furnished with beautiful antiques each offer their own delights. The south-facing double has views of an 18th-century bread oven (planned for conversion to another guestroom) and flower garden. auclosmonbrun.com
Une Partie de Campagne, Normandy, France
As the name suggests, this restored 19th-century farmhouse is an idyllic spot for a house party – particularly for vegetarians, with gourmet fare cooked using ingredients from the organic vegetable plots. Lovely village of Lyons-la-Forêt a short hop. chambresdhotes-normandie.fr
Le Coq à l'Âne, Normandy, France
There’s more donkey than chicken evident at this old family farmhouse, thoughtfully restored using a mix of traditional and modern eco-friendly methods and materials. The Âne in question is on hand to lug your picnic on a hike! lecoqalane.fr
La Vielle Abbaye, Normandy, France
A 17th-century farmhouse on a working dairy farm provides a wonderfully luxurious base for a family holiday in the Suisse Normande. Kids love the huge outdoor play area, indoor play barn and pet paddock with horses, ponies, sheep and cats. frenchfarmhouse.fr
Gîte La Mouche, Normandy, France
A lovingly converted press makes a wonderful family retreat sleeping four, restored with strong green to create a cosy interior with pellet-burning stove for cool evenings. Extensive gardens with a bewildering array of plants. Mont St-Michel nearby. manche-tourism.com
Gîtes de la Fontaine Secrete, Normandy, France
A trio of quirky, highly individual options comprise this unique set-up in a peaceful hamlet in the Suisse Normande: a stone-built 17th-century former bakery, Le Four à Pain; cute A-frame Chalet du bout du monde, sleeping up to six. B&B option too. gites-fontainesecrete.com
L’Esprit du Bocage, Normandy, France
Restored by a Dutch family using traditional materials just five years ago, this typical granite house sleeping up to five is ideally placed for discovering Mont St-Michel and the landscapes of southern Manche – hence the name: Spirit of the Bocage. espritdubocage.com
Cabanes de la Grande Noë, Normandy, France
Play Tarzan or Peter Pan in your very own treehouse, slumbering up to 16m above the forest floor while boar, rabbits, deer and owls graze, scamper and hoot around and beneath you. Sensitively constructed treehouses nestle amongst the old beeches. chateaudelagrandenoe.com
Cerza Safari Lodge. Normandy, France
Sleep among the wildlife of Africa with a stay in a safari park – a ‘roar and snore experience'! Take your pick from yurts sleeping two to five, lodges sleeping two, or 15 ‘zoobservatories’: cute wooden A-frame cabins with living/dining areas cerzasafarilodge.com
Domaine de la Cour au Grip, Normandy, France
If you really want to immerse yourself in the apple-centric culinary culture of the Calvados département, why not bed down in, erm, a cider barrel? A 10,000-litre vessel has been furnished with windows and a comfortable double bed. ledomainedelacour.com
Le Refuge du Clos du Moulin, Normandy, France
Feel like playing nomad – but with the comforts of a glamping retreat? This collection of tipis, yurts and even a covered wagon straight out of the wild west offers the chance to sample the life of the Mongolian steppe or North American prairies. lerefugeduclosdumoulin.com
Perché dans le Perche, Normandy, France
Retreat to the branches of a sublime treehouse at the top of an immense chestnut tree overlooking the valleys of Le Perche Natural Park, Normandy. Breakfast delivered in a picnic basket to your balcony. You won't want to come back down to earth. perchedansleperche.com
Villa Fol Avril, Normandy, France
Each of the twelve light and airy bedrooms have unusual layouts and exposed beams and are filled with antiques salvaged from local markets. Feast on regional dishes in the restaurant, and there’s masses to do in the area. villafolavril.fr
Le Landemer, Normandy, France
A beautiful sea-facing hotel which had a total refurbishment in 2014. Just a short hop from Cherbourg, you've got 80km of wild coastline on your doorstep - a perfect spot for families, watersports enthusiasts and those after a bit of relaxation. en.le-landemer.com
La Ramade, Normandy, France
Two beautiful villas, one with rooms in a palette of pastel shades, the other an elegant, spacious and contemporary space for a romantic break away. Historic sites aplenty on your doorstep and lots of family-friendly attractions within easy reach. laramade.fr
Hotel La Chenevière, Normandy, France
An exquisite château with a fascinating past. Twenty nine decadent ensuite bedrooms and twelve hectares of grounds to roam – rose gardens, pool, a walled vegetable garden. Dinner is a local feast, and the honey at breakfast comes from their own bees. lacheneviere.com
Le Grand Cerf Hotel & Spa, Normandy, France
A contemporary twist on an old dwelling: plenty of rustic, woodland charm and chalet-style rooms with checked fabrics and statement mirrors on wood-panelled walls. Authentic Norman flavours in the bistro and a spa and treehouse in the grounds. grandcerf.fr
For information on local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities, see our
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