Calvados Cottages

Holiday Cottages in Calvados

To the south of the lovely region of Normandy you’ll find Calvados.  Birth place of William the Conqueror and surrounding the two historic centres of Caen and Bayeux, Calvados is a superb spot for your country cottage holiday with its miles of flat sandy beaches, including the D-Day landing beaches and popular seaside resorts on the Côte Fleurie, this beautiful département, birthplace of the artist Boudin, offers meadows, orchards and rich farmland, local produce, heritage and bags of activities and attractions.

You might recognise the name Calvados, it’s given to an apple brandy made from the dry cider distilled in AOC Calvados, AOC Pays d’Auge and AOC Domfrontais; Domrontais has a long history for pear cider and this is found in their tasty offering.  You can follow a ‘cider trail’ (great for cycling), there are also many miles of excellent walking inland and along dramatic costal cliffs and down to the broad sands of Le Choc (‘the impact’) Normandy landing beaches of World War II stretching 130 km from Bayeux to Carentan.

Things to do in Calvados

Enjoy the popular seaside resorts including town of ‘art and history’, fishing and sailing Honfleur; loved by artists including Turner, Monet, Baudelaire and Satie with its picturesque half-timbered houses, great art museum, winding streets and watersports.  Further south visit chic Deaville and Trouville-sur-Mer (more popular with families) and elegant Cabourg with its gorgeous beach.  This is a fab spot for seafood and you can enjoy wonderful eateries in many of the towns and villages not just along the coast.

Top attractions include Caen Memorial Museum, the Bayeux Tapestry (designated a ‘Memory of the World’ by UNESCO) and if you like balloons head for Chateau de Balleroy, not only a delightful 17^th century chateau but also home to the hot-air balloon museum.  Horse riding, golf, cycling and walking are all wonderful ways to enjoy Calvados; head over to Little Switzerland, ‘la Swisse Normandie’ for great scenery and paragliding, while you’re there little ones will love the miniature trains at Musée du Chemin de Fer and for family fun, Festyland south of Caen.  For the bold test your nerve at Le Val des Cîmes on rope bridges, swings and climbs!