Sleep Situated in the old town of Bayeaux is the chic boutique Hôtel Reine Mathilde. Spend a night or two here to explore the local area. The museums and cathedral are only a few minutes’ walk away, so simply park your car and sightsee on foot. The food and service are impeccable and the best room is the studio annex, complete with exposed stone walls and kitchenettes, and situated on the lush Aure river. Room rates start from £90 per night. For more information, visit hotel-bayeux-reinemathilde.fr Les Moulin de Connelles is an extraordinary family-owned 19th century Anglo-Norman manor house, located less than an hour’s drive from Falaise. There are 12 stunning rooms and suites with panoramic views
(jacuzzi baths in six of the suites) and a stunning gourmet restaurant in an intimate setting. It’s perfect for families and couples, as there are plenty of outside spaces to explore (including a three-hectare park), two swimming pools, bicycles and two boats, which guests can use to sail around the Seine. The house is directly on the Seine, which is perfect for water–edge relaxation, yet it’s still conveniently close to many of the regions fascinating towns. Room rates start from £150 per night. moulin-de-connelles.fr Drink & Dine The entire Normandy region is a feast of gourmet delights, so foodies will be spoilt on every corner. The notable places to eat in Bayeaux are the quaint, traditional spots such as La Rapière, serving Norman cuisine in a rustic setting, or Au Ptit Bistrot, a cosy spot
opposite the cathedral and serving great wines from across the region. If you fancy a sweet treat, grab a crêpe at Le Domesday, which is en route to the Hôtel Reine Mathilde. Also, worth a mention is the gourmet restaurant at the hotel Les Moulin de Connelles, it’s a feast for the palate. If you choose not to stay here, the restaurant is worth a visit in its own right. The service is warm, inviting and faultless. Start with canapés and an aperitif by the fireplace before moving into the stunning dining room for either the chef ’s taster menu (featuring local and seasonal produce) or an à la carte menu, which includes vegetarian options. Each course is served with a recommended wine, and you can finish the affair with a glass of aged Calvados before retiring for the evening.
For more information on the region visit: The Normandy Tourist Board normandy-tourism.org / Twitter @NormandyPRUK Brittany Ferries brittany-ferries.co.uk
June/July 2018 | salutions.co.uk
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