Some highlights of your stay at Chateau Le Mont Epinguet:

• Swimming and sunbathing on the beautiful sandy west coast beaches at Cartaret, where the gulf stream produces a little-known sunny microclimate.
• Country and coastal rambling - this region was the most affluent in France in the 18th Century and has a wealth of grand houses, gardens and culture. There is a labyrinth of beautiful ancient walkways, for which we have detailed maps.
• Shopping at the daily regional markets - particularly the one in medieval Bricquebec on Monday (9am to 12.30pm)
• A trip across the oyster beds by amphibious craft to Tatihou island - an ancient penal colony and bird sanctury off St. Vaast la Hougue.
• An evening at the village butcher's bar - a brilliant, informal 4 course meal usually cooked over a fire - for €10 including wine and cider. Children are welcome, and at half price!
• Incomparable moules frites at a quayside bar in Cartaret, opposite the Channel Islands.
• An omelette aux lardons avec frites at the end of your coastal walk Omonville la Rougue at the harbour bar.
• A visit to some local chateaux and their gardens - Toulaville, Vauville, Urville-Nacqueville, Crosville, and Martinvast.
• Bayeux tapestry - a great exhibition 45 minutes away.
• A round of golf at Cherbourg's picturesque, quite demanding (an underused!) golf course at Glacerie.
• The landing beaches - Pegasus Bridge and new museum, Arromanches Mulberry harbour and its 360 degrees cinema - 18 minutes of drama. Point du Hoc. Bayeux war museum. American war cemetary at Ste. Mare Eglise (John Steel).
• The Memorial Peace Museum at Caen.
• Wine tasting in the Normandy Wine Warehouse in Cherbourg, and browsing the boutiques in centre ville.
• A fun few hours at the indoor pool, with the snaking slides at La Piscine de Collignon in Tourlaville (east Cherbourg).
• An afternoon in the charming animal park at Montague La Brisette.
• Surfing (or watching them!) at Sciotot bay. Paragliding at Cartaret. Windsurfing at Nacqueville.
• A flutter at Cherbourg casino, rounding off the night in the local nightclub.
• A tour of the region's junk shops.
• Tea or aperatifs on the quayside at Barfleur, after climbing the 365 steps of Gatteville lighthouse.
• Succumbing to the many temptations at Auchan - the best of the three hypermarkets in the region.
• A boat trip round the Napoleonic harbour in Cherbourg.
• An evening without the children at a top restaurant like Mesnil Grand or Les Fuschias at Saint Vaast (English babysitter available!)
• A visit to the Cite de la Mer Aquarium, nuclear submarine and superb brasserie, in Cherbourg.
• A day at the stunning Mont Saint Michel - a wonder of the world.

Outside the chateau