La Cretouffière is an exceptionally charming and picturesque hamlet in a secluded and self-contained setting, only 5km from the lively market town of Gorron. It consists of a number of houses, barns, porcheries, and bread ovens, built of local multi-coloured granite, which we have been actively and imaginatively restoring to provide a variety of accommodation. There is evidence that there have been buildings on this site for at least eight hundred years. Set in the quiet rural department of Mayenne (Southern Normandy/Eastern Brittany), we are within easy driving distance of Cherbourg, Caen, Le Havre or St. Malo.
The cottages available for rent all have modern kitchens and shower-rooms or bathrooms, yet retain their original character and features. The three larger units have woodburners and all have supplemental electric heating. The area is peaceful and pastoral, with scope for walking, cycling, and exploring nearby medieval towns and attractive villages.
The Units
Activities
The Local Village and Towns
Some Local Places of Interest
Prices
Other Information
Contacts
Maison Clement (sleeps 2-6) is a renovated turn-of-the-century farm cottage which has been thoroughly modernised, but which is externally virtually unchanged. It has a large living room with dining area, exposed beams, comfortable seating, CD/cassette player, French TV with English video library, and wood-burning stove. The modern kitchen has gas cooker, refrigerator, microwave, kettle, toaster, and all basic amenities, and leading off is the downstairs shower room with toilet and basin. From the kitchen the stairs lead up to a large attractive landing which services three carpeted bedrooms; one full double, one small double, and one with bunk beds. Each bedroom has a Velux roof-light, oak beams, chest of drawers and electric bar heater.
Maison Leroi (sleeps 2), although attached to Maison Clement, is much older, being late 17th century. It is of open-plan design, with exposed beams and stonework; the kitchenette forms part of the dining/living room, with gas cooker, microwave oven, refrigerator, kettle, toaster, and all basic amenities. Leading off is the downstairs shower room with toilet and basin, and the staircase leads directly up into the well-lit upper level with double bed built on a raised platform (access slightly restricted due to exposed beams). Heating is provided by electricity.
Maison Lareine (sleeps 2/3), adjacent to Maison Leroi, bears the date of 1680 on a stone lintel. Of open-plan design, the kitchen is in the corner of the living/dining room, next to the original stone fireplace now equipped with a wood-burner. Full of character but with modern amenities, gas cooker, refrigerator, kettle, toaster, and electric convector heater. The shower room with toilet and basin is also on the ground floor, from which the staircase leads up to a dramatic gallery bedroom, with a double bed, chest of drawers, huge exposed oak beams and Velux windows. There is a small single bedroom curtained off from this area and partitioned by a built-in 'hanging' wardrobe. (NB: the gallery side of the mezzanine, open above adult chest level, could be considered hazardous for an active youngster.)
Maison Kayte (sleeps 2-7), The Artist's House, a detached cottage with its own garden area and several unique external features, including a half-spire topped with mosaics on the gable end. Owing to the nature of this conversion it is not really suitable for children of less than 12 years old. There is a large open-plan ground floor with chestnut flooring, an eclectic kitchen (full cooker, refrigerator, toaster, kettle, microwave), and a dining area. By the large wood-burner is a comfortable sofa and armchair with a small convertible sofa in the corner. From this room, a winding staircase leads to the extraordinary upper floor with two carpeted double bedrooms accessed by descending stairs from a "bridge" spanning two of the major roof beams. The bathroom has a corner bath, toilet and mosaiced basin built into a tiled curved surface and stained glass panels. There is also a third twin bedroom with en-suite shower room.
The properties have pastoral views over fields to the rear beyond the pool, and face onto a central area with some planting for sitting out, eating 'en plein air,' or BBQs. Garden furniture and parasols are provided for each unit.
In 1999, we completed the outdoor 6m x 4m x 1m deep pool, tiled and contained within its own enclosure well away from the cottages, with attractive views over the surrounding countryside. To one side is a traditionally constructed building in the style of a riverside village wash-house, with broad steps giving easy access down into the pool itself.
Swimming and Boating: There are good nearby indoor and outdoor pools, and several large lakes with designated beaches and swimming and boating areas within a reasonable distance (such as at Ambrieres les Vallees). The sandy beaches of Southern Normandy and Eastern Brittany are around 1¼ hours away.
Cycling: We have several adult cycles available for hire if you are unable to bring your own. This is excellent safe cycling country, whichever direction you head.
Walking: There are local waymarked routes. We particularly recommend the nearby walks along the hills of Southern Normandy and can offer route suggestions, as with the cycling.
Wine: Head for the vineyards of the Loire, or simply stay here with a bottle from the local supermarket!
A Boules set and Badminton are on site. We are adding a small exhibition room for the display of local art-works.
Colombiers du Plessis, a mile distant, is a quiet rural village with a bar/tabac where bread may be bought and fishing permits obtained. Gorron is a further two miles, and has all the facilities that one expects in a small French town, i.e. two supermarkets, bars, restaurants and pizzeria, post office, swimming pool, recreational facilities, pharmacies, and a doctors' surgery. Morning village markets are held locally. Ernee is seven miles to the south-west and has the same facilities on a grander scale.
Mayenne: An attractive riverside town, 12 miles east and worth exploring. (The Department, the river and the town share the same name.) The nearby cloth-manufacturing village of Fontaine Daniel, with a lake set in the woods, is particularly picturesque. A little further south, Chailland is worth a visit.
Fougeres: 20 miles to the west. Walk through the hillside gardens to the largest intact medieval castle in Europe. Extremely photogenic, with medieval lanes and half-timbered houses in the old section.
Vitré: 24 miles south-west. A fascinating maze of medieval streets leading to the castle. Highly recommended.
The D-Day Landing Beaches: We are located close to the site of much of the action of the Battle of Normandy, and in particular the notorious counter-attack of August 1944. The landing beaches have museums and historical exhibitions. We can help with the planning of itineraries in this connection.
St. Fraimbault: Flower village par excellence. Take a pedalo on the lake or lunch in one of the restaurants.
Bagnoles de L'Orne: 25 miles north-east. More 19th century outré villa architecture than you'll see anywhere in Britain.
Domfront: 20 miles north. Another medieval castle town, set on a hill with fine views of the surrounding countryside and a huge ruined castle. The 20th century church can be seen from miles around, and has an extraordinary Byzantine flavour.
Les Jardins des Renaudies Parc Floral: Our nearest attraction, being only ten minutes' walk away. A stunning variety of plants and flowers in an informal garden, open April-September.
The cathedral towns of Coutances, Bayeux, Le Mans, and Rennes, along with the spectacular Mont St. Michel, are only 1¼ hours away, and St. Malo is 1¾ hours.
| "KAYTE" (sleeps 2-7) | "CLEMENT" (sleeps 2-6) | "LEROI" (sleeps 2) | "LAREINE" (sleeps 2/3) | |
| Week commencing Saturday (see note below): | ||||
| 5 January to 15 March | -- | £210 | £140 | £155 |
| 22 March to 17 May | £300 | £240 | £150 | £180 |
| 24 May to 5 July | £350 | £300 | £175 | £200 |
| 12 July to 23 August | £575 | £490 | £220 | £300 |
| 30 August to 6 September | £350 | £300 | £175 | £200 |
| 13 September to 18 October | £300 | £240 | £150 | £180 |
| 25 October to 13 December | -- | £210 | £140 | £155 |
| 20 and 27 December 2008 (Christmas and New Year) | £350 | £300 | -- | -- |
Peak Season Discounts: During Peak Season, the prices for second and subsequent weeks in "Clement" and "Kayte" are reduced by £50.
Changeover Day: Normally Saturday, except during Peak Season when we try to stagger intake day according to early demand. Some flexibility is therefore often possible, and we will do all we can to meet your requirements.
These prices per cottage include the provision of one initial set of bed linen per bed, bottled gas for cooking, and sufficient electricity and hot water for normal domestic use. If fresh linen is required during your visit, costs are 5 euros per person. We do not normally supply towels or tea-towels.
In the cool season, an allowance of 100 units of electricity per week is made in the two larger units, plus a barrow-load of wood. Any additional requirement will be charged “at-cost”, the meter being read just prior to arrival and upon departure.
Security Deposits: The Client has a liability to the Owner for the cost incurred by any damage, breakages or extra cleaning. However, we do not ask for a Security Deposit as we prefer to work on trust. We would emphasize however that we expect you to leave the property as you will find it, in a clean and tidy condition. If you are unable to meet this requirement please advise us beforehand, when a cleaning charge will be levied.
Short or Long Breaks Out of Season: We are happy to quote for longer lets as well as shorter low-season breaks.
Arrivals: Not earlier than 4.00 p.m. local time, enabling us to ensure the property is how you would wish to find it.We have septic tanks at La Cretouffière, so we respectfully request that our visitors act sensibly with regard to sewage disposal and water consumption. Guidance notes are displayed in the shower rooms.
E-mail: andreamast@libertysurf.fr.
Telephone: France (00 33) 243 08 00 20
Or write to the resident owners:
Chris and Andrea Masters
La Cretouffière
Colombiers du Plessis
53120 Gorron
FRANCE
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