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