Manoir De La Gauguinier

Located at the edge of a river in a small valley, this 16th century manor house has been recently restored and features an original thatched roof. The exterior amenities include a large terrace, a garden equipped with outdoor furniture and 2.5 hectares of grounds. Manoir De La Gauguinier is located just 5km from the small town of Haye du Puits which offers a good selection of shops and is 40km south of Cherbourg. Other nearby towns include Coutances (30km), Ste Mere Eglise (25km) and the Landing Beaches (Utah).
The beautiful Manoir De La Gauguinier, set in spacious century old grounds and surrounding countryside, offers a glorious feeling of stepping back in time to a part of France where time passes by unnoticed and very little ever changes.
Manoir De La Gauguinier is unique in this part of Normandy, having been built in the 16th century as a fortified house during the Huguenot rebellion. This history can be seen in the design of the house: a defense tower with spectacular views, specifically designed windows with an opening for a rifle, and a liturgical basin.
The Cotentin Peninsular is rich is history and heritage. It is an ancient Celtic land of traditions, myths and legends, of hills, woods, marshes and villages. During World War II, the property was the point of water supply for all of the American forces in Normandy Operation Cobra.

Features

Manoir Interiors
Ground Floor

• Large dining room with original granite fireplace
• Sitting room furnished with Louis XIII style furniture with an 18th century stone fireplace, satellite TV and DVD set in an Henri II dresser
• Fully-equipped kitchen with large U shaped worksurface and large fridge/freeze, oven and hob, dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster and mixer
• Large twin room with small, antique wrought iron cot, Louis XIV armoire and writing desk, coffer and tapestry with ensuite bathroom in the tower
• Laundry room (next to Manoir) with washing machine, dryer and ironing facilities
  Upper Floor
• Twin bedroom with 17th century coffer, fireplace, tapestry, fine writing bureau and liturgical basin with bathroom in the tower
• Twin bedroom with dressing room and chest of drawers
• Twin bedroom with armoire
  Outside Grounds
• Courtyard terrace with garden furniture, barbecue and lovely views of the river and the copse
  Facilities
• Underfloor heating (downstairs) and radiator heating (upstairs)

Location

The manor house is only 35km from the port of Cherbourg and 5km from the small town of La Haye du Puits which has a busy Wednesday morning market full of local produce. There are also numerous restaurants, a large selection of over 100 shops and three supermarkets throughout the area.
The chateau is located in an area of amazing wildlife interest with numerous marvellous walks and cycle rides in the Marais natural park. Visitors can see crested cranes and herons, deer, goats and even wild boar in the Mont d'Etenclin hills. Another great way to see the Cotentin on the beach is riding, with several stables in the area. The huge beaches are also ideal for many seaside activities including sand surfing.
The town of Portbail, 5km from the chateau, also offers sailing and water sports, or simply the chance spend the day fishing on the river. Cherbourg has a renowned 18-hole golf course, while Barneville-Carteret and Agon-Coutainville have 9-hole golf courses.
The D-Day Landing beaches at Ste Mere Eglise and Utah Beach are 25 km from the chateau, with the infamous Abbaye de Blanchelande only two km away. Portbail is a quaint little port complete with a 13th century arched bridge and 12th century church where you can get ferry trips for a day in one of the Channel Islands.

Extras

Extras available at this property (payable locally):

• Meals prepared by the French cook, Michel Ruel (18 to 25 euros per person for dinner, on request at least a month in advance through Oliver's Travels concierge team)
• Guided tours of historic landing beaches
• Babysitting