La Calècherie, St Martin de Montbray - in the heart of Lower Normandy.

I have restored the building sympathetically to retain original features and incorporate modern comforts using traditional and ecologically-friendly materials and methods; the aim was not to produce what feels like a new building within an old shell but to retain signs of age.

The style is eclectic with a distinct Breton feel although we are in the adjacent departement and the antique and vintage furniture is locally found and restored by us; the original kingsize beds (a scarce size in France) include a corbeille that has been reupholstered and recovered - bought from a descendant of the royal family, it gives its name to the Plantagenet Suite.

La Calecherie is opposite the church of St Martin de Montbray providing a calm base from which to explore Basse-Normandie; the D-Day Beaches, Bayeaux Tapestry, Mont St Miichel and a host of attractions are within easy reach - the local bar is a ten minute walk away in the village of Montbray.

La Calecherie offers a traditional break in private grounds mainly set to orchards the apples from which we use to press cider in the ancient pressoir; the grounds are maintained with a minimum of intervention and absolutely no chemicals are used. Biodiversity is very important! So far, I have recorded 48 species of bird in the gardens and orchards.

La Calècherie is opposite the church of St Martin de Montbray and has views to the south over the vallée de la Vire and a ten minute walk to the bar.

La Calècherie is within an easy drive of the Normandy Beaches, Mont St. Michel, Bayeux, Granville, Villedieu-les-Poeles and a host of other notable spots.