One of the large chateaux nearby La Fromentale
A donkey cart from years gone by at the agricultural fair
The very distinctive dairy breed seen widely around the region.
One of the large chateaux nearby La Fromentale
BASSE-NORMANDIE
The Basse Normandie region (as the area where La Fromentale is located is commonly known) is primarily an agricultural region where you will see corn, wheat and barley growing in the paddocks, apple and pear trees used for cider and its derivatives and a huge dairy cow population based on the distinctive Normandy cow breed. It is famous for it’s sustainably farmed seafood, importantly oysters and mussels, rich dairy products including the famous camembert cheese and a variety of cream and butter products. Add to this endless historical monuments and numerous impressive chateaux, weekly festivals such as the Jazz Sous Les Pommiers festival at Coutances, the tulip festival at Chateau Vendeuvre and the recent D-Day festival along the channel coast, Basse Normandie has something for everybody.
CULTURAL SITES
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Landmarks close by to La Fromentale include Mont St Michel (40-minute drive), the landing beaches of the Normandy Coast (50 minutes), the town of Granville (40 minutes) with ferries to the Guernsey and Jersey Islands, the city of Caen and the town of Falaise (60 minutes) both historical locations for William the Conqueror. The historic towns of Domfront and Fougeres which date back to the 14th century are also within 60 minutes’ drive of La Fromentale as is Bayeux - famous for it’s tapestry record of William the Conqueror and the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
There's a chance to walk around on the ramparts and through the keeps at this fortress
Public parterre gardens with the fortress at Fougeres in the background
There's a chance to walk around on the ramparts and through the keeps at this fortress
THINGS TO DO
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~ Visit a ciderie ~
Normandie is the home of cider. You won't find any wineries here although you will find plenty of wine for sale in supermarches from other appellations. A visit to a local ciderie to taste apple and pear cider, pommeau and calvados can be arranged by your host.
~ Visit markets & the prettiest villages ~
The historic town of Villedieu les Poeles, an (Arts and Metiers village) is legendary for the manufacture of copper saucepans for centuries, is less than ten-minute drive away. Every Tuesday the town square hosts farmers, fishermen and food artisans who sell amazingly fresh produce to the locals. Artisans include cheesemakers, butchers, bakers, charcutiers and traiteurs. At times there is even a horse meat butcher who attends the market. Other towns and villages nearby host markets on other days of the week.
~ Visit St Sever ~
La Fromentale is walking or cycling distance from St Sever which has a good supermarket with 24 hour petrol station , patisserie, traiteur and other various shops. There are a couple of bars with outdoor seating areas and a small Saturday market is held in the main thoroughfare. Guests can also discover the 14th century church attached to the Marie and local school which were all part of the historical abbey located on the pilgrim route to Mont St Michel and ultimately Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The whole area is safe to walk and cycle in.