Close to the incredible Mont-Saint-Michel in Normandy, Manoir de la Baie is an interior-designed village home with style, space and great comfort.

This 19th century manoir has recently undergone a vast renovation and the result is stunning. As soon as you walk up the steps to the main entrance and living spaces you can admire the high-end furnishings and gorgeous contemporary kitchen, all contrasting elegantly with original features and architecture from the Haussmann era.

The colours and interior design throughout the house add warmth as well as style – we love the feature wallpaper in some of the bedrooms and the beautifully tiled bathroom floors. Across the upper part of the manoir you’ll find six double bedrooms with queen-size beds and a brilliant six-person dorm at the very top alongside five bathrooms, two with cast iron baths. This makes Manoir de la Baie a great option for a group of friends or extended family with space for up to 14 guests across the seven bedrooms.

Within your walled and private garden enjoy dining on the patio by the barbecue as others splash around in the good-sized swimming pool. On cooler days kick back on the lounge’s vast sofas and watch Disney+ and Netflix or take advantage of the Marshall sound system with a glass of calvados in hand.

If you prefer to dine out you needn’t venture far – after all, in a village setting, you can easily wander out to a handful of restaurants and local bars. The boulangerie is also close by for your fresh bread and pastries each morning and look out for the little French market on a Tuesday where you can pick up some lovely produce from La Manche.

Arrange a guided tour of Mont-Saint-Michel with its abbey and surrounding bay – there’s little wonder it’s one of France’s most popular destinations. The charming seaside resort of Granville is also a joy to explore with its beaches, flower-filled gardens and old quarter or let a boat whisk you away to the mesmerising land and seascapes of the Chausey islands – there are 365 islets when the tide is out.

Ride horses along the beach, cycle through the nearby forest, kayak along the Sélune river or take long walks along the beaches of Normandy and even Brittany. Bayeux and the D-Day landing beaches are also close enough for a reflective day out in this historic and remarkable part of northern France. 

Manoir de la Baie is in a village setting in the Manche department of Normandy, just 20km east of the incredible Mont-Saint-Michel.

You only have to wander out of your walled garden, through the gates and a few steps away is village life with its restaurants and shops. It’s a charming village of a good size and within walking distance you have bakeries, places to eat, grocery stores and a lovely little French market on a Tuesday morning selling some delightful local produce. The village even has its own historic château which is open to visitors, located near the banks of a small river.

The nearest town, Avranches, is about a 10-minute drive away and features many more restaurants and amenities as well as museums. There is a great market on a Saturday morning where you can learn about the cuisine of La Manche and Normandy, not just seasonal fruit and vegetables but also locally harvested oysters and mussels, salt meadow lamb and some excellent cheeses.

Of course, the main draw of the area is the incredible Mont-Saint-Michel, around 20km away, one of France’s most visited destinations. Arrange a guided tour across the bay in time with the tides or follow the wooden walkway to visit the 11th century abbey on this granite island, now a unesco World Heritage site.

The seaside resort of Granville is another fine day out with its characterful seafront and grand beach. The town was the birthplace of Christian Dior and it also has a great reputation for its gardens and flowers - Parc du Val ès Fleurs is especially beautiful. Take a boat trip out to the stunning Chausey Islands where you will find 365 tiny islands at low tide, far less when the tide comes in. Follow coastal paths, see the lighthouse and admire the ever-changing seascapes.

Back closer to home, the most adventurous of guests can enjoy cycling through the forest nearby and nature reserves or discover the landscapes by kayaking along the Sélune river. Horse-riding along the beach can be arranged for a truly spectacular experience.

The D-Day landing beaches can also be visited in a day with Utah, Omaha and Gold Beach around 90 minutes by car, as well as the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Bayeux (105km) and other famous D-Day sites.

Accommodation