La Martinière

Guest Information

Welcome to our lovely family-friendly farmhouse. We hope you will enjoy the sunny rooms, relaxing garden, bluebell wood & pretty stream as much as we do. The house is close to Lake Dathee, the St. Sever forest, and the bustling market town of Vire, in Calvados, Normandy. There is plenty to do on the doorstep and the Normandy attractions of this region are all within about an hour's drive.

The land surrounding La Martinière extends to 10 acres, including the hill ‘Le Rocher’ (‘The Rock’) and the wildlife area with stream ‘Pre de la fontaine’ (‘The Meadow of the Fountain or Spring’). Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds, and frequently say that the freedom to walk and play undisturbed in such a peaceful spot is one of their favourite things about La Martinière.

There is much to see and do in the grounds, from spotting the local wildlife - hares, deer, lizards, buzzards, many types of bird, and even our resident owl! Adults and children will enjoy identifying all the different kinds of trees - from the beech woodlands, to oaks on top of Le Rocher, Cherry, Hazel, Apple and much more! It's a paradise for children, many of whom have never been able to enjoy this sense of freedom and to be able to get much closer to wildlife than in the UK.

The beech woodlands on 'Le Rocher' make a particularly lovely spot for a peaceful and secluded picnic. There are plenty of quiet, secluded and shady spots to sit and read a book and enjoy the birdsong. The map shows the extent of our grounds within the yellow line.

Both neighbouring properties are owned by lovely French families who are friendly, and will always return a smile, friendly wave and a ‘Bonjour!

The Beech Woodlands on 'Le Rocher' (right and left)

LOCATION & THINGS TO DO

St Germain de Tallevende is our local village, just a mile or so away from the house. The village has a bar, pharmacy, bakery, small grocery store, church and auberge. Another village, Maisoncelles-la-Jourdan is also nearby, and has a bakery.

St Germain de Tallevende is also the location of our favourite local eaterie, the Auberge Saint-Germain**. The Auberge has a fixed price menu from just 22 euros and is very welcoming to everyone, from couples who want a quiet night out, to families with children. It’s very French, and whilst a little English is spoken, the owners are always pleased if you make an effort to try your French, however basic it may be! There is a large private room, ideal for parties of around 8 or more. It is best to book in advance. 02 31 68 24 13 http://www.auberge-saintgermain.com/

The large supermarket at Vire (on the Vaudry road, see map provided) is normally open every day (although we have known it to close on bank holidays and at other times), and sells petrol and diesel. (NB. You can’t always get petrol with a UK credit card out of hours, you need a French card, so make sure your fuel tank is full if you are driving at night.) There is also a small grocery store on the right just before you get into Vire when traveling from the house, which is handy.

The town of Vire has some super shops, two of our favourites are on the road leading out of Vire in the direction of La Martinière. About 2/3 of the way down the hill on the right is a wonderful delicatessen and at the bottom of the hill is the prettiest little shop on the corner selling antique lace & china, etc. Just off the central roundabout in Vire, near the clock tower is our all-time favourite patisserie (the pink one), the owner is wonderful and speaks extremely good English, although she’s always very charmed if you speak French first!

There is an internet café in Vire, on the large square near the tourist office.

Guests renting La Martiniere can also pre-order mountain bikes for hire, these can be delivered to the house upon arrival with helmets and local maps, at 25 euros each per week.

LA LANDE VAUMONT

The Dolmen at Mont-Savarin (Mount Savarin)

La Lande Vaumont 14500 St-Germain-de-Tallevende. This table-shaped megalith made from Vire granite is interesting as it rests on only three of its four supports. A fifth stone just in front indicates that a vestibule would have been to the side. Within the Bocage, megalithic monuments were surrounded by myth and suspicion: supernatural visions, ghost-stories, sorcery ... The dolmen’s location is highlighted on our ‘directions’ map. The photo on the right was taken by Adrian in March 07.

MAISONCELLES – LA – JOURDAN

"Pont-es-Retour" Waterfalls

At Roullours / Maisoncelles-la-Jourdan. Classed as an "Area of Natural Ecological Interest, Flora and Fauna" in 1988. Here, the River Vire falls over an area characterised by a disorder of granite in which fauna develops in excellent conditions. This is a great spot for a picnic, and there are picnic tables, etc. The location of the waterfall is highlighted on our ‘directions’ map, it’s within a few minutes drive of the house.

Parc des bisons

Le Vey 14500 Maisoncelles la Jourdan - Contact : Maud et Serge Pinel. Tél : 02 31 67 72 80

WALKING & CYCLE TRACK

Just a short distance from the house is a disused railway line which provides really pleasant walks & cycle rides. Travelling North, the track runs close to Lake Dathee, and running South it reaches towards the National Park & Mortain.

LAKE LE GAST NATURE RESERVE

Ornithological reserve.

Predominantly a reservoir dam for drinking water of 65ha. It was filled with water in 1987 in order to steady the flow of the River Seine. Some species of birds, bound to damp areas, regularly nest here. Great-crested grebe, mallards, moor-hens, coots ... The reserves serves equally as a migration stop. This ornithological reserve is run by the "Groupe Ornithologique Normand" (GON). Contact : Groupe Ornithologique Normand Tel : 02.31.43.52.56

VIRE

Capital of the "Bocage Normand"

The town was constructed on a rocky buttress, outlined by the River Vire. From this strategic position, the town held an advantage point.

At the beginning of the XII century the town became fortified by the order of Henry I (King of England and Duke of Normandy). During this era, Vire was a small prospering town, developing in commerce. The workshops of furriers and tanners were superseded in the XIV century by wool and cloth production. We cannot forget Olivier Basselin - the fuller of his time and celebrated poet - for his ballad of the "Vaux-de-Vire" (The Dales of the Vire) being the origins of "Vaudeville" (a form of light stage comedy)..

Belfry "Porte-Horloge" (Clock Tower)

Place du 6 Juin, Vire. Main entrance to the town during the XIIIth Century: fortified, flanked with 2 towers and topped with a XVth Century belfry and bell-turret. Exhibitions July - mid September.

The Vire Dales and Lock Gate

The River Vire has carved out deep valleys between steep and rugged slopes: the Dales. The Flood Gate (Lock): walk around the area at water level (see the genuine "Bocage farm" reconstructed in the garden, Augustine Monks' cemetery).

Castle-KeepPlace du Château 14500 Vire. Excellent example of a square Norman keep. There are only two side sections remaining of Vire's XIIth Century feudal castle-keep, which tower majestically over the Vire. The castle played a first-rate role during the "Guerre de Cent ans" (the hundred years war) but was razed in 1630 by Richelieu (Armand Jean of Plessis, Duke of Richelieu - Cardinal and chief minister to Louis XIII).

"Notre-Dame" Church

Place Notre-Dame - 14500 Vire. Constructed during the XIIIth Century, based on an XIIth Century Romanesque chapel of early gothic style, it was extended in different styles until the XVIth Century: which saw the raising of the flamboyant gothic chancel, the workmanship of Merveille of Mont-Saint-Michel. It was restored in 1948 after the bombings of the 6th June 1944.

VIRE MARKET

Vire has a large, busy market on Friday mornings with lots of wonderful food stalls, fruit and vegetables, spices, etc. There is a smaller market on Tuesdays.

AQUA VIRE

Vire swimming pool and water fun centre: Parc de l'Europe - Tél : 02 31 66 30 60 - http://www.recrea.fr/vire/index.html- Tobogan, bassin ludique, bassin sportif, sauna, Hammam, Jacuzzi et nombreuses activités.

Theatre du Préau

- Place Castel, 14500 Vire. Tél : 02 31 66 16 00 - www.theatredupreau.fr

LAKE DATHEE & GOLF COURSE

The area of Lake Dathee measures 43ha. It is a very short drive from La Martiniere, at St-Manvieu-Bocage / St-Germain-de-Tallevende

Ornithological reserve.

The reserve takes up 10ha and was established in 1987. In total, 86 species of birds have been observed: ducks, coots, grebes, snipes etc ... This reserve is run by the "Groupe Ornithologique Normand" [GON]'. Bird watching is organised throughout the year.
Contact : Groupe Ornithologique Normand Tel : 02.31.43.52.56

The Dathee Dam (right) was constructed in 1977. Its main objective is to increase the resource of drinking water to the built-up areas of the Vire locality and to regulate the flow of the River Vire.

Dathee Lake

Open every day, from June to September.

Tel: 02 31 66 35 10 or 02 31 66 01 58

Different options: leisure club, competitions club, owners club, beginners and confirmed sailing courses, multisport courses.

Hire: catamarans, windsurfs, rowing boats, kayaks, center-board, sailing dinghies, pedaloes, mountain bikes.

Golf de Vire (9 hole)

Green-fees, daily, annually, membre club Ligue Normandie. Contact Golf de la Dathée : Ferme de la Basse Haye,
14380 Saint-Manvieu-Bocage - Tél-Fax : 02 31 67 71 01

ST SEVER FOREST

During the VIth Century, Sever was looking after the mares of a Pagan named Corbenecus. He converted to Christianity and by his virtues, gained his freedom from Corbenecus.

Sever became a hermit in the forest and consecrated himself to a life of prayer and Gospel preaching. His reputation earned him the name of "Evêque d'Avranches" (Bishop of Avranches). Unfortunately, he died in the forest amongst his companions, where his grave remains the site of pilgrimage. Today, Saint-Sever is listed as a "Station Verte de Vacances" (A Green Holiday Resort).

Saint Sever's Crown Forest

The Crown Forest of Saint Sever is managed by the ONF (Office National des Forêts) and measures 1,552 ha. Two-Thirds of its sub-soil is made up of granite. The forest is essentially resinous; beech and oaks, together with comb-shaped firs and Douglas pines. Above all, the forest is a wood producing area.

Outings throughout the year by the ONF. Contact : ONF - Tel : 02.31.68.81.27

Also of interest in the forest is an Arboretum (nice for picnics) with an exercise trail, and a Wildlife park (with stags, does, fawns).

Motte castrale

14380 Saint-Sever. XIth century Feudal "clod" in the heart of the Crown Forest, near to the Old Castle pond.

Saint-Sever Abbey

Built during the XIIIth Century in granite and remodelled during the XIXth Century, the Abbey looks quite dumpy. The interior is very beautiful, despite the irregular layout of the nave (during the XVIth century the nave was split into two; a parish church and an abbatial church). Also to be seen: the lantern-light tower, its dome mounted on a cupola (smaller dome) with an entasis 100m high: a separate belfry remains in the old parish church.

Hermits Chapel

The chapel was built during the XVIth century in the heart of the forest where a XIIth century orator preached. It was reconstructed during the XVIIIth century. Today it is open to everyone and is a place of prayer for the Carmelite Sisters who have inhabited the chapel since 1984. Also to be seen : the funeral paving stones under which the monks, who lived in the hermitage before the Révolution, were buried. In the grove surrounding the chapel is a cross, said to be the oldest in the region (1214, a date to be taken with some prudence!).

Horse-riding at La Renarderie Esquestrian Centre

Riding lessons, rides, training, livery, pony-club. 30 horses, 12 ponies.
Contact : Roland Gosselin 14380 Mesnil Clinchamps - Tél : 02 31 67 62 96 - www.renarderie.com

JULOUVILLE BEACH

Jullouville : With Carolles and Saint-Michel-des-Loups, a delightful seaside resort set against a background of pines. Great for children and families.
• Sand yachting along the beach.
• Mild climate.

LE MONT ST MICHEL

A superb example of ancient architecture, and France's premier tourist attraction. The abbey of Mont Saint Michel, otherwise known as the Marvel is famous worldwide. There are many things to see and to do; the main street with its shops, the museums, the walk around the ramparts with views out over the sands of the bay, as well as the spectacle of the sea rushing in to surround the Mont at each high tide.
Grévin museum, Archeoscope (multimedia show), Tiphaine lodge, Night visits to abbey. Not to be missed.

GRANVILLE

Sailing and fishing harbour. Seaside health resort.
Strongest tides in Europe.
The "Haute Ville" is a picturesque fortified old town with its church of Notre-Dame and 15-18th century houses. Museum of Granville's history, Richard Anacreon museum of modern art,
Roc aquarium. Granville wax museum.
Regional water sports centre. Golf .
Regular ferry services to Jersey and Chausey.
Winter carnival, Grand Pardon religious festival in summer.

BAYEUX

A city proud of its ancient religious heritage and its many old houses and mansions, built between the 15th and 18th centuries Cathedral of Notre-Dame;
The famous Bayeux tapestry masterpiece, embroidered by Queen Matilda in the 11th century. Fine Arts museum, Museum of the Battle of Normandy in 1944.
Château of Balleroy nearby.
Château of Vaulaville at Tour-en-Bessin.

http://www.bayeux-tourism.com/eng/

VILLEDIEU-LES-POELES

Founded in the 11th century by the Order of the Hospitallers of Saint-John of Jerusalem, Villedieu became known as the "City of Copper", because of the fine copper working of its inhabitants. Coppersmiths can still be seen at work in the town.
• Copper and lace museums,
• bell foundry, copper workshop and pewter museum.
• Fine 15th century church

CANOE-KAYAK THROUGH THE GORGES DE LA VIRE

Base de plein-air de Pont-Farcy. Tél : 02 31 68 24 91 ou 06 61 99 10 84
http://www.base-loisirs-normandie.com

JURQUES ZOO

La Cabosse - 14260 Jurques
Contact : 02 31 77 94 12 - www.zoodejurques.fr

MARKETS

Monday - Torigni-sur-Vire, Tinchebray
Tuesday - Ducey, Hambye, Caen, Sourdeval, Alencon
Wednesday - Conde-sure-Vire, Tessy-sur-Vire, Lisieux
Thursday - Beny-Bocage, Conde-sure-Noireau, Alencon
Friday – Vire (all over by 12.00!), Brecey, Falaise, Domfront
Saturday - St. Lo, Avranches, Bayeux, Domfront, Lisieux
Sun – Barenton
Days correct at time of writing, if important please check on tourist web sites

USEFUL LINKS

If you want to research the area before your holiday, here are a few useful links:

VIRE WEB SITE http://www.tourisme.fr/office-de-tourisme/vire.htm
VIRE WEB SITE http://www.vire-tourisme.com
CALVADOS WEB SITE http://www.calvados-tourisme.com/
NORMANDY WEB SITE http://www.normandy-tourism.org/
FRANCE WEB SITE http://uk.franceguide.com/

ANTIQUITIES / BROCANTES / DEPOT VENTES

http://www.euroantic.com/entree.php?lg=uk
http://vide-greniers.org/

There are brocante / depot ventes at Vire (mostly modern furniture), Sourdeval (huge place, packed with all sorts of things) St Sever (again, pretty vast and full of all sorts of furniture). On the road into Villedieu there’s another, mostly selling smaller items.

SECOND WORLD WAR SITES

The Landing Beaches - Mother of Pearl and Bessin Coasts

Beyond the Orne stretch steep cliffs shadowing beaches of fine golden sand. The British beaches (Sword, Juno, Gold Beaches), and the American beaches (Omaha Beach, Utah Beach) were names given in the war and have remained, the original ones never to be reverted to.

Arromanches with it's artificial port, military cemeteries, la Pointe du Hoc, monuments, milestones and military relics continue to serve as reminders of the battles.

In addition to visiting the Normandy Landing Beaches, which are well worth the hour or so drive, there are many places locally where you can still see evidence of the war. Vire, in particular, occupies a very strategic position in Lower Normandy and was severely damaged in the war. The clock tower adjacent to the main roundabout in the centre of Vire has a small historical display which offers a moving tribute to the many people who lost their lives in this area.

British Military Cemetery

14350 St Charles de Percy
A stage along "l'espace historique de la Bataille de Normandie" (the battle of Normandy Historical Route) on the "affrontement’ circuit" (The Confrontation) : the penetration crossed through the Bocage. Approximately 800 graves of British soldiers.

Memorial Monument

Place du village, 14350 Montchamp
60 names representing the 27 communities that witnessed the sacrifice given by the "Bocains" in regaining the freedom of France. On the 4 June 1953, the monument was inaugurated by "General de Gaulle" the then President of the Republique.

Other places of interest :

Pont du Taureau (Bulls Bridge)

14350 Carville / La Ferriere-Harang
Symbolic to the "breakthrough of the Bocage" in 1944. The bridge is decorated with the emblem of the 11th British Armoured Division : a bull.

"Hill 309" Memorial (renamed "Coldstream Hill" in 1994)

14350 St Martin des Besaces
Linked to an episode of the "breakthrough of the Bocage" in 1944 : the victory of the 4th Coldstream Guards.

Chènedollé (known as "bas Périer")

Memorial to the Battle of Périer (2-9 August 1944)

CONTACTING US

Contact us on 01761 463356.