We are lucky enough to be in the Normandy-Maine Regional National Park (Parc Naturel Regional Normandie-Maine) and very close to the Andaines forest a paradise for cyclists, walkers and nature lovers. Le Bas Chesnay is situated just outside the Historical Medieval town of Domfront, and is set in 2.5 acres of very peaceful countryside surrounded by working farmland, with sheep and cows aplenty. Although once here ,you feel you are in the middle of nowhere, however, we are in fact only 5 minutes and 10 minutes’ drive from a supermarket and Domfront. The gite is full of character, with many exposed old beams and has been renovated to offer a very comfortable place to stay.
Le Bas Chesnay is an ideal base to explore all that the Normandy region has to offer. We offer a great stop over en-route to other destinations as well as for those travellers who want to spend some more time discovering Normandy.
The local area has a variety of recreational activities, forest walks, cycle routes, mountain bike routes, excellent for road and off-road biking, golf, tennis, kayaking, swimming, spa town or an ideal base for house hunting. Equally if you just want to get away from your busy life and relax this is the ideal place to kick back, read books, listen to music or just the bird song in one of the most peaceful settings we have ever experienced.
The GITE sleeps 4 and has 2 bedrooms (1 double and two single beds) and 2 bathrooms upstairs (1 small ensuite), and a large shower room. The gite has a spacious living room and well equipped kitchen /diner on the ground floor. The Kitchen/Diner includes a gas cooker (gas bottle) fridge freezer, tassimo, microwave , dishwasher and washing machine with a dining table that seats 4. In the lounge area there is plenty of comfortable seating a TV with French and English channels, satellite free view, and WIFI . There is also a selection of books and games.
The GITE has a private outside dining area and comfortable garden furniture, there is also a large garden to the back of the gite, its a great place to relax or play outdoor games . We have parking for one car outside of the gite and a further parking space in the car port.
We also have an additional two bedrooms , both en suite attached to our house which is our bed and breakfast, it has a private lounge area and its own entrance. Therefore if you want a larger group to join together we have the capacity for 8 guests on site. If both areas were booked by you, guests staying in the separate bed and breakfast accommodation would not be supplied breakfast. Please contact us further details and rates if interested. email: lebaschenay@gmail.com.
All linen and towels are provided within the rental price.
PLACES TO VISIT AND THINGS TO DO
Normandy is a region rich in history, beautiful countryside, beaches and visitor attractions.
ON OUR DOORSTEP
Well worth a visit are:
Domfront - home town of Le Bas Chesnay, with its remains of the ancient chateau, medieval churches, cobbled streets and centuries-old buildings and historical links to England. With its turrets and winding streets, Domfront offers a touch of Medieval romance. Eleanor of Aquitaine – arguably Europes wealthiest, most powerful and cultured royal matriarch, and wife of Henry II, the Plantagenet King of England - had a court here in the middle of the 12th century. A hundred years earlier, William the Conqueror laid siege to its castle.
Domfront sits in the middle of the Normandy Bocage and with its undulating lush green countryside, It is perfect for walking, cycling and touring.
Veloscenic cycle route Paris to Mont – St – Michel.
From Domfront, you can join the cycle route to Mont-St-Michel, this section of La Véloscénie to the Mont St-Michel follows a greenway along a disused railway line going through the typical quiet countryside of the Bocage Normand. From Domfront, an alternative route along another greenway takes you to Flers via the charming Varenne Valley.
Chateau de Lassay - 15 minutes drive
It is a 15th century castle in Lassay - Le Chateuax. They have Guided tours every Sunday in English.
Lonlay -l'Abbaye - 10 minutes drive
is about 10 minutes from us, it has a beautiful abbey and town square and is surrounded by walks and scenery, including the local Fosse Arthur.
Biscuiterie l'Abbaye - 10 minutes drive
This is just outside Lonlay and is a interesting place to visit. You can buy biscuits at their onsite shop, you can have tours of the factory and the first Saturday of the month, they have a biscuit sale and the queues go outside the door to grab a delicious bargain.
Bagnoles de l Orne - 20 minutes drive
The biggest spa town in western France, a charming town set around a large lake, overlooked by the casino. Hot stones, mud baths … you name it, Bagnoles has got it and in every combination. As well, of course, as the towns renowned panacea, the classic spa waters with their antioxidant trace elements. At night, Bagnoles is said to be a Town of Thousand Lights as the Casino and the town s glitzy restaurants come to life.
Le Ferte - Mace - 25 minutes drive.
Extensive leisure park of 28 hectares, the lake of La Ferte-Mace is fully equipped to offer a variety of activities and fun for the whole family. Swimming, windsurfing, pedal boats, horseback riding, canoeing, mini-golf as well as having its own beach. - centre of Suisse Normandy, restaurants and bars on the river side.
Pear Cider and Calvados. We are lucky to have local producers of pommeau and poiré, a refreshing, sparkling pear cider that is Ornes speciality signature drink . We have local producers very near us and you can spend a great time walking round and learning about the history of cider as well as some taster sessions.
If it is beaches you prefer you have a multitude to choose from - Carolles, Deauville, Trouville, Cancal ( a must if you love fish) and Ouistreham.
For the more active (or adventurous), there is bungy jumping at Clècy, canoeing at Torchamp or Thury Harcourt.
For the children there is Festyland at Caen, The Enchanted Village at Belle Fontaine, the Zoo at Jurques and the water park at St Hilaire de Harcouet. There are also excellent swimming pools at Flers, Thury Harcout and Bagnoles de l Orne.
Normandy is blessed with three world class attractions.
Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel
The Benedictine Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most remarkable examples of mediaeval religious and military architecture and was one of Christianity s most important pilgrimage sites from the 8th to the 18th century. The Abbey comprises a superb ensemble of clerical buildings including the abbey church, the cloister, the refectory, the monks ambulatory and the gardens of what has been known as the ""Merveille"" (Marvel) since the 12th century.
Open all year round and open until late in the summer months.
The Landing Beaches.
A multitude of museums pay tribute to the soldiers who came ashore on D-Day. The beaches stretch from Ouistreheam to the Contentin peninsula and there is a museum at Sainte-Mère-Eglise, dedicated to the American 82nd Airborne division. Today, you can relive their stories and the epic 1944 struggle across a network of battle sites, museums and memorials, and via a series of special Battle of Normandy trails.
Bayeux Tapestry
Bayeux home of the tapestry and a charming medieval town. The tapestry depicts events leading up to the Norman conquest of England
Other very interesting places to visit are:
Le Mans - home of the 24 hour endurance race, Le Man is also a beautiful city to visit.
Caen - chateau, abbeys, museums and shopping.
Carrouges - a brick chateau with moat and rare apple orchards.
William the Conquerors chateau and the Falaise pocket that mark the end of the battle of Normandy.
Alencon
Departmental capital of the Orne . The craftsmanship of Alençon needle lace, is the latest to be recognised by UNESCO, because of its traditional Alencon lace, which takes 25 hours to produce a piece the size of a postage stamp – kept alive through the National Lace Workshop in Alencon. Visitors can explore the world of needle lace at the Museum of Fine Art and Lace (Musée des Beaux-Arts et de la Dentelle) in Alençon.
Horse Racing
There are race courses at Argentan, Moulins-la-Marche, Alençon and la Bergerie au Pin-au-Haras.
National stud
Le Haras du Pin. Furioso, Workaholic, Cruiser, Policy Maker, Florestan, El Ouassal and other hallowed names have all been put to stud or stabled here. If it is heritage you are seeking, meet the Percheron, Orne is the birthplace of this docile giant, which for centuries powered French agriculture and carried France s knights into battle.
