small-scale, child-friendly and full of character in Normandy? On to the gites of lieu thomain!
We've said it here before and we'll say it again: Normandy in Northern France it's beautiful! The rugged coast, the unspoiled nature, the authentic rural life and the picturesque villages and towns... And you'll be there in no time, with your own car!
Where are we going to sleep? Good question. Okay, we may be a bit biased, but hey, can we have one? Because the three very cozy Gîtes that Yvonne, Rick and their four Dutch-French children, originally from Brabant, have in the beautiful northern French Normandy are a small holiday dream. Their place is called Lieu Thomain, remember that name. Better yet: from the summer of 2021, a house in the adjacent village will also be added! Really (but really) a lot of fun, especially for those who are on holiday with the small stuff.
Biased you say? Yes, Yvonne & Rick, that's family. But that doesn't give them preferential treatment: mothers had to visit us about three times before we wrote our jubilant story here. That said, Lieu Thomain should definitely not be missing from this site (anymore): Rick and Yvonne's French farm life is holiday fun just a stone's throw from the best that Normandy has to offer. Ha!
First the holiday farm itself: three gites were set up there: La Grange, Le Verger, Les 3 Soeurs. The first one, La Grange (attic), is the 'high' gîte and is ideal for families with children, thanks to the high ceiling and the nice sleeping and play attic. It is high, and therefore nice and light. Nice to know: this gîte was originally a calf stable that Yvonne and Rick renovated themselves. Many old details have been preserved and we also want the kitchen with a concrete worktop and a large old sink at home. Anyway: the style of the past with the conveniences of today. You want it. And those kids too.
Gîte Le Verger (orchard) owes its name to the apple cider orchard that you overlook from the terrace at the picnic table. Blossoms in the spring, calves in the summer and apples in the autumn. Here too, as many old details as possible were preserved: for example, the feeding trough now serves as a bookshelf. The gîte is located in the farmyard and is linked to la Grange - extra nice if you are staying with a larger club.
Number three, Lesson 3 Soeurs, is not on its own property but on the edge of the cozy village of Bonnebosq. Everything you need within walking distance: bakery here, butcher there - handy for the barbecue in the garden. The house is completely detached and, thanks to the fence with hedge, gate and wall, becomes your own private domain in France for a while. You can sit outside and the kids can play safely.
Definitely not that we like staying indoors while on vacation. and that's a good thing: Rick & Yvonne know the area like the back of their hand and recommend the best spots in Trouville or one of the other beautiful coastal towns in the area (tip: go there immediately and get fresh mussels to prepare at home!).
To come back to that 'fun with the little ones': that is really fun, especially if, like us, you want entertainment for the little ones but also want to celebrate a holiday yourself. Yvonne and Rick have four children and therefore know exactly what fun is. Moreover, there is something to do for every age and they can help on the farm. Watching the cows or calves (even when they are being milked) and in the summer they can even take the cows out of the meadow (exciting!), the chickens have to be fed and eggs collected. There are dogs and when the season is there the apples have to be picked. At the front of the farm is the garden with trampoline, swing, slide and lots of grass and a swimming pool in the summer. And there is a picnic table, some sunbeds and relaxing chairs. Child can do the laundry.
Tips in the area? You can contact Yvonne for that, but there is more than enough to do!
