Charming 200 year old Self Cattering Accommodation
The Hamlet of L'Etre du Bois is set in the heart of unspoilt countryside at the end of a quiet lane in a cul-de-sac. There is no through traffic, and is surrounded by typical Norman cider orchards, in rolling countryside with lakes and streams.
The Stables (sleeping 6+) and the Bakehouse (sleeping 4+) are grouped around a courtyard, together with the former farmhouse which is occupied by the British owners, John and Margaret Kennedy.
Both Gites have been carefully restored to provide a traditional atmosphere where modern comforts are not forgotten.
Nearest Town: Carrouges 5km away, small market town with 15th century Chateau. With hotels, restaurants, creperie and pizzeria, also several bars, 2 small supermarkets, 2 bakers, chemist, newsagents tabac, post office, and bank as well as weekly market selling local products including cheese and cider.
Alencon (20 km) is the main administrative centre for the region with hyper-markets, a further range of shops, a large swimming pool complex, 10 pin bowling alleys, and a museum housing the famous lace collection.
Argentan (17 km) Good shops, restaurants, supermarkets, cinema and has a big market on Tuesday mornings. Also trains direct to Paris 1hr.50mins.
Bagnoles de L'Orne is a super inland resort 25 km away, with opportunities for swimming, spa treatment, golf course, tennis, and the casino, many good restaurants, chic shops, set around a fairytale lake.
La Ferte Mace 20km away is an attractive town with a leisure centre on the lake, where one can swim, learn to windsurf or sail, or hire pedaloes. It has a sandy beach and play area for the smaller children, and a riding centre close by.
Nearby we have a family owned cider farm where one can taste and see how cider is made.
Not to miss the English owned Brewery at Joue du Bois to taste the Popular British Ale, also their very thriving pub at Couptrain, where there is singing on Sunday evenings and Fish and Chips on Fridays.
Further a field, but within easy reach, are the chateaux of the Loire, the D Day Beaches, Bayeaux tapestries, Mont St. Michel, Festyland and towns of Ouistreham, Caboug, and Deauville, all with beautiful beaches.
The Stables
The Stables is a two story gite, semi detached from the owner's farmhouse. The front door leads directly into the large sitting room. A wood burning stove provides a cosy atmosphere and is centrally heated.
The kitchen/dining room is well equipped with a fully fitted kitchen, full-size oven and hob, fridge freezer and micro.
Upstairs are three bedrooms, one double and two twin rooms. A cot is available on request plus and extra bed can be placed on the large landing. There are two bathrooms, one en-suite to the master bedroom and a further family bathroom.
A patio area with garden furniture and a barbeque is provided in front and the large garden is available for your use.
English Television is available in this gite.
The Bakehouse
The Bakehouse, is situated in the same courtyard as the Stables and opposite the owner's farmhouse.
Downstairs is an open plan living area with exposed beam ceiling. The kitchen is on the right of the front door, and the living area features the original bread oven complete with wood burning stove which supplies central heating.
The kitchen is well equipped with full size oven and hob, and a fridge freezer and micro and dining table and 4 chairs. Upstairs are two bedrooms, one double and one twin, with a bathroom.
A cot is available on request. The patio area is to the side of the property, again with garden furniture, barbeque and use of the large garden, with it's own parking area.
About us
John and Margaret Kennedy welcome you to Normandy. The commune of L'Etre Du Bois has been our home since 2002. We bought the property in 1989, when we were farming in Zimbabwe, coming over for the summer months and spending many happy hours renovating the buildings.
The Bakehouse was our first home while we worked on the Stables and later the main farm house where we now live. The property was lived in up to 1984, but with very basic living accommodation, one cold water tap and outside toilet. It needed at lot of tender restoration which has been done over the past years.
We now share our home with the Stables, where the horses were housed and the cattle milked. The Bakehouse was a smoke house for curing meat, but still has the original bread oven intact.
The gites are set in 1 acre of lawns, apple orchard and flower beds, surrounded by fields with the very docile Normandy cattle. Springtime is the best time to see the apple, cherry and pear trees in full blossom, not to mention the quiet roadsides covered in spring flowers.
The relaxed peace and tranquility of our region is what has made living here so memorable. To be awaked in the morning by the bird song is really magical.
