La Quieze
Welcome to our 19th century home "La Quieze" located on the outskirts of Le Tourneur - a peaceful village centered around a 10th century Norman Church in Souleuvre en Bocage.
This area of Normandy is renowned for its outstanding natural beauty, famous Calvados brandy and apple cider and a wide range of traditional dairy and meat products. It is dominated by dairy farms and rich pastureland dotted with classic stone houses and quaint villages.
La Quieze house and barns were built in 1850 from local stone and granite and have many beautiful original features.
The main house has an air of luxury but it is most welcoming and affords an easy relaxed lifestyle. You are transported back to a time of 19th century luxury and leisure.
The spacious rooms have high ceilings and beautiful windows that maximize the Normandy sunshine. All rooms have impressive views of the beautiful grounds and surrounding countryside.
The house has 4 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. It is ideally suited for 6-8 but can cater for up to 9 people. It is available for both long and short term rentals.
The ground floor has an impressive entrance hall with a bronze staircase.
The salon/lounge features a beautifully carved marble fireplace and comfortable lounge chairs. There is a ready supply of firewood in the barns for romantic winter evenings. However the house has full central-heating so it is suitable for year-round stays. In summer this room is bathed in light as the outdoors seems to flow inside when the large windows are opened.
The salon is fully equipped with French and English satellite TV and internet. The television is located in a large
cupboard that can be closed away for media-free nights when you might rather enjoy one of the many board-games or jigsaws. Or simply indulge in elegant conversation over a vin rouge or lose yourself in a good book with the silence of the countryside only interrupted by church bells and local bird life.
Enjoy cooking a wonderful choice of seasonal local produce in the beautifully appointed kitchen which features a Brittania oven located in the original fireplace- surrounded by a stunning exposed stone wall. A large refrigerator/freezer with water and ice dispenser, dishwasher, microwave and a full range of cooking appliances and utensils makes cooking a wonderful experience.
The dining room seats eight comfortably. A large casual table and chairs in the kitchen seats six which can be used simultaneously for larger parties due to its open plan layout. For formal dining there is a twelve place Villeroy and Boch dinner set and matching cutlery and high quality glassware.
The laundry, adjacent to the boot-room and guest toilet, has a washing machine, tumble drier, ironing board and iron.
The first floor has two beautiful bedrooms both with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The mater bedroom is very large with queen-size beds and period furniture. It has access to a huge bathroom with a deep bath and separate shower, toilet and bidet.
The second bed-room has an antique double bed, and although a smaller room, it does have a private en-suite with shower.
This floor also has a large room that is currently being converted into a library/office - a quiet space for reading or writing.
The loft has been tastefully converted into two large equally-sized bedrooms with queen-sized beds. They feature stunning exposed-beam ceilings and skylights and a quaint attic window. Two additional single beds can be added to either room if required. In between the two loft bedrooms is a generously sized bathroom with a shower and toilet and heated towel rails.
The cave or cellar is in the process of being converted into a games room and wine cellar.
The house is non-smoking and is pet-friendly upon negotiation.
The Grounds:
Beautiful formal gardens surround the house featuring many impressive century old trees, sweeping lawns, flowering shrubs, a walled vegetable garden, an apple orchard and three interesting barns.
There is a choice of a number of shaded or open seating areas both at the front and back of the house so that you can enjoy the morning or afternoon sunshine.
A large outdoor dining and barbecue area can seat up to 10 and has unrestricted views of the garden, adjoining apple orchard and pristine farmland beyond.
The property boasts 10 acres of meadows with meandering paths - perfect for lazy saunters with a glass of wine in hand or adventurous children's discovery walks.
Take a picnic under the century old oak tree next to the lake or have an intimate rendezvous in the secret meadow.
Activities:
Besides offering outdoor games such as croquet, boules, badminton and football on the house grounds, there are many marked walking and cycling trails nearby. Borrowing bikes can be arranged. The famous Souleuvre Viaduct is only 5 minutes drive away and has an exciting number of activities including a luge, zip wire, bungee and tree-top trail.
Horse riding and golf are also available locally.
If you have children who would like a dairy-farm experience we can arrange for a visit to a nearby dairy at milking time. Wellington boots can be provided.
Services:
The two closest villages, Le Beny Bocage and St Martins dés Besaces, have a full range of daily services including artisan boulangeries, butchers, mini-marts, post offices, chemists, hairdressers, florists, doctors and police.
The closest regional centre, Vire, is a pleasant 20min drive. It has a huge Carrefour supermarket, a choice of bars, restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops including sports and outdoor pursuits and art and craft supplies. Vire also has many places of historical interest and a thriving weekly market. It has a full range of services and an excellent hospital.
Places of interest:
Caen, a 40min drive northeast from La Quieze, is the capital of Normandy and is also of great historic interest. William the Conqueror made this his administrative capital and built the stunning castle from which he planned his invasion of England resulting in his victory at the battle at Hastings in 1066. Caen also has a beautiful cathedral and an unmissable war museum - the Caen Memorial- that covers both World Wars. You need at least half a day to do this museum justice.
The famous Bayeux Tapestry is located an hour's drive north of La Quieze in the beautiful town of Bayeux which has a fabulous choice of authentic Normandy bars and restaurants, tourist and antique shops.
Bayeux is also the gateway to the famous 1944 Normandy landing beaches from Juno to Omaha. Visit some of the many fascinating museums and moving war cemeteries.
Mont St Michel, the famous 8th century French monastery surrounded by the sea, is an hours drive to the west of La Quieze and makes for a fabulous day trip -
or you might choose to stay the night in one of the castle's hotels for an authentic medieval experience.
There is so much to enjoy in this very historic part of France. So be as inspired by its beauty as Monet, Cezanne and Renoir were. It's a wonderful escape from the bustle of city life.
