Luxury Farm Stays: Normandy (2022)

Le Domaine d’Ablon is a luxury farm stay rural retreat near to Le Harve and the artistic coastal town of Honfleur, in rural Pays d’Auge, Lower Normandy. Accommodation is offered in classically Norman half timbered farmhouses, and the design, both interior and exterior is impeccable. You’ll find the interiors comfortable and plush but with a very pleasant rustic feel while the farm itself has organic orchards and vegetable gardens which offer some of the ingredients for the very highly regarded food on offer. Cooking and horticulture classes, amongst others, can be arranged on site too. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice of double suites, in order of size; the Standard Suite, the Queen Suite and the King Suite, with The King being the largest. Even the standard suite though, if it was in most other hotels it would be considered a top choice, being around 40 sqm in size and the epitome of comfort and style. There is also a self catering cottage on site which has a huge amount of space, with two bedrooms (one double, one twin), a large lounge with an open fireplace, a kitchen and a private patio and garden area outside. The bathrooms are particular highlight in all of the accommodation choices, spacious and rather opulent, they come with a nice old style standing bathtub and a range of Bvulgari bath products. Le Domaine d’Ablon is a luxury hotel but also an agritourism farm stay; it prides itself on offering up some of the best local, seasonal food in Normandy and the owners take great care in producing much of the ingredients themselves. They grow a range of organic vegetables and fruits on site as well as various herbs some of which are medicinal herbs, and the owners and staff are a great source of knowledge about all things horticulture and food. The food is truly excellent and if you would like to try and recreate it yourself at home you arrange a cooking class with the head chef, Jérôme Billochon, which also includes an educational tour of the kitchen gardens. There are other courses at the farm too; photography, flower arranging, gardening, origami and even beekeeping. READ MORE

Ferme de la Rançonnière et Manoir de Mathan is a beautifully old style, luxury farm hotel with restaurant and bar, just north of Bayeux, France, and about 3 km from the Normandy Coast. Its medieval stone buildings are surrounded by large beautifully landscaped gardens with adjoining tennis court in the heart of the lush Normandy countryside. Its rooms are equally impressive; comfortable, clean and very beautifully decorated in a rustic, antique style. Each comes with an en-suite bathroom, as well as satellite TV and WiFi. And, last but not least, the highly rated restaurant at Ferme de la Rançonnière et Manoir de Mathan offers the best regional French cuisine, including every morning a generous buffet breakfast. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The facilities are housed in a wonderful old 15th century monastery that has been beautifully restored. The grounds and building are lovely….” “The property was lovely, full of character, and the staff were very helpful. We had a wonderful dinner at the hotel, the food was excellent!….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT MANOIR DE MATHAN:     READ MORE