Le Calipel

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Gite |1 bedroom |Sleeps 3

St Vigor Des Monts in Villedieu les Poeles

from £42 / night

£288–£630 / weekBookable online

This property can be booked securely online within a few minutes. Just click on the ‘Check availability and book’ button.

1 night minimum stay

Changeover flexible

5 out of 5

3 reviews | Write a review

Key info  Car essential, private garden, pets welcome

Check availability and book

About the home

A building full of character that has been sympathetically restored yet retaining original and historic features whilst providing modern day comforts. Furnished with a mixture of quality antique and modern furniture, Le Calipel offers you a comfortable base to explore whatever the time of year.

In the summer, open the windows and watch the swallows swoop over the pond which is home to a diverse fauna; or in the winter, light the traditional French woodburner after a day exploring and snuggle down to enjoy the beautiful local produce bought at a market. On summer evenings, relax in your private garden with a bottle of wine whilst cooking on the barbecue.

After a busy day, whatever the time of year, have a long soak in the antique French double ended bath, perhaps à deux? A refreshing shower will wake you up in the morning after a good night's sleep in your kingsize antique bed ready to explore some more!

Facilities

Further details indoors:
The open plan living area means you can cook and enjoy the the atmosphere with space to be creative in the kitchen then eat at the Art Deco table or al fresco. The kitchen is well equipped and now includes a toaster for those of you who prefer toast for breakfast. Although all the equipment is present to cook any meal, anything extra you might require, baking tins, cookie cutters and hand mixer for example, can be borrowed from the owners.

There is a Godin Colonial woodburner surrounded by an enormous granite fireplace with historic motifs carved into the stone.

Massive original timbers support the ceiling with traditionally preserved artifacts.

The large bedroom is furnished with good antique furniture and beautiful old rugs underfoot leads to the well appointed bathroom with its antique, rare model double ended roll top bath and modern hydromassage shower.

Further details outdoors:
Easy parking is available directly at the bottom of the steps leading up to the massive old door to the gite. The steps are not steep and there is a sturdy rope on the wall for aid. A short path from the steps leads to the private garden behind the gite.

Of modest proportion, the pond is available for fishing. The pond is a miniature wild life reserve, providing habitat and breeding grounds for frogs, newts, dragonflies, damselflies, moorhens and muskrats. At the end of the pond, there is a small copse where long eared owls, tree creepers, goldfinches and many other bird species have been seen. At dusk, bats swoop over the pond and garden hunting for insects and return to their roosts under the barn roof.

A large private garden behind the building is available for your exclusive use with a barbecue and stunning granite garden furniture. The barn owls which live in the roof can be seen swooping across the garden and kestrels make a nest every year in the roof space of the barn, as do the barn owls. Kestrels are regularly seen entering the barn with food in the beak for the young. On a hot day, lizards can be seen scaling the walls of the barn and fire salamanders are regularly spotted in the garden.

The garden is being developed to attract and provide a habitat for insects-swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs on the abundance of bronze fennel throughout the garden and the lavender and buddleia positively buzz when in flower with many species of bee, humming bird hawk moths and butterfies.

The garden is secluded, private and is not overlooked.

Further details

There is a comprehensive welcome pack for your arrival which includes a basket of logs for that first log fire of your holiday.

The price is inclusive of electricity and central heating costs.

The owners live nearby and are available for advice and assistance if needed.

Conditions

Short breaks and longer breaks are available with flexible start days.

Photos

 

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The trees are still bare but there are primroses in the hedgerows....

 

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......so Spring is on its way!

 

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Nestled in the Vallée de la Vire, Le Calipel offers you tranquillity, peace and places to walk.

 

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When you walk into the room the ancient timbers will amaze you....

The Normandy / Manche region

Normandy is a beautiful area of France with a comfortable temperate climate. Steeped in history from the arrival of the Vikings through the medieval times, the Second World War to the present, there is something to interest everybody. The Normandy landing beaches are within easy reach as is Mont St Michel and the castles of William the Conqueror. Bayeux, with its tapestry and beautiful architecture makes an interesting day out.

if you are need of something less war-like to enjoy, the Musée de Christian Dior at Granville or the Souterroscope at Caumont L'Evente are a must. Villedieu les Pôeles, 20 minutes away, is a centre of copper making and the Fonderie des Cloches (bell foundry) gives tours illustrating bell making.

For lovers of the outdoors, the Foret Dominiale at St Sever Calvados or our local wood on the hill provide wonderful areas for walking and enjoying nature. The Gorges de La Vire are nearby and canoeing is available at Pont Farcy. There are many beautiful quiet beaches within easy reach where it is possible to find lovely seafood restaurants.

Trotting races are held at the hippodromes near Vire and Villedieu les Pôeles and if you fancy a ride yourself, there are stables at different localities such the bay of Mont St Michel and in the countryside.

The Villedieu les Poeles / St Vigor Des Monts area

Liberated by the allies at the beginning of August 1944, St Vigor des Monts is a sleepy village which wakes up a couple of times a year for its Fêtes; the Fete du Pain held in May celebrates bread and an artisan boulanger bakes in the restored village bread house. The Fete patronale is held in August and the whole village gathers and makes merry.

There are plenty of markets within easy reach of Le Calipel, the Tuesday market at Villedieu les Poeles is a lovely market with plenty of choice and variety. Granville, on the coast , has a fabulous market on Saturday morning which is a must for seafood lovers-the choice of mussels means you need to choose which bay and area you want them from.

The hilltop is covered with natural woodland where war time shell holes are still evident and it provides a lovely place to walk and enjoy the nature and peace of Normandy and enjoy the view across the Vire valley from the table d'orientation.

The nearest bars are in Montbray (4km) and Pont Farcy (4km) as are boulangeries. Tessy Sur Vire, 10km away offers a variety of shops including a small supermarket, boulangeries, boucheries and a newsagents. There are also a number of bars.

Not far, is the Chapeau Rouge, a lovely traditional restaurant hosted by Madame who provides service in only the way the French can - graciously and with style.

How to get there

Le Calipel What's nearby: Attractions Restaurants Click map icons for more information

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Le Calipel is situated within easy reach of the ferryports at Caen ( 1 hour), Cherbourg (1 hour 15) and St Malo (1 hour 20) and 10% discount can be offered with Brittany Ferries for these crossings. The northern channel crossings to Calais, etc are about 3.5 hours away by car. It is 10 minutes from junction 39 of the A84 so although very rural, is not too far from major routes. Comprehensive instructions will be provided from junction 39 to Le Calipel.

The nearest airports are at Carpiquet (Caen) but the most flights go to Dinard and Rennes, both about 90 minutes away. The Paris airports are about 3 hours away. Car hire offices are situated at all these airports.

GPS coordinates 48°54'31.77"N 1°03'41.16" W

Activities near Villedieu les Poeles

Reviews

Review: 1 to 3 of 3

16 Sep 2012

“Fabulous!” We had a fabulous week at Le Calipel. Donna was very welcoming and it was a delight to find all the extras she had left; the fresh croissants and baguette, homemade chutney, jam and honey, wine, cheese, eggs -the list goes on! The gite is large but cosy, the bed very comfortable and the bathroom luxurious. The kitchen is well equipped and the private garden a bonus. Lovely secluded location with a laid back atmosphere - thank you Donna for your advice on places to visit - although we slept in so late most mornings we only visited half the places we planned - oh well - just means we will have to return! If you need to re-charge your batteries, love the countryside and animals, then this is the place for you. Response: I'm so glad you enjoyed your time at Le Calipel-we do everything we can to make our guests feel welcome & happy. If you want a natter, I'm here but if you want to be left alone, I can do that too!

08 Aug 2012

“Close enough to a motorway to get places but quiet enough to hear the bird song in the morning” It was a great location: in the middle of the countryside, down a no through road, but only 10 mins away from the motorway, so great if you need to get to Mt St Michel / Bayeaux / Caen etc. The nearest village is a 5 mins drive and has a bakery so croissants and baguette were fresh daily, but the supermarket was slightly further away and also had a petrol station. We had a very cheery welcome from Donna and the "welcome pack" of baguette, milk, eggs, croissants etc to get us past the first morning was incredibly thoughtful. Being English I normally have a slice of toast in the morning. However there's no toaster so I had to make do with a warm croissant every morning - it was a tough week. ;-) There are a number of steps to the front door so anyone who has trouble walking might find it difficult. And the bath - wow! - it was massive - definitely a 2 person bath!! Response: I'm glad you enjoyed your stay at Le Calipel and thank you for your review. French bread, lovely though it is, doesn't toast very well so I decided to force you to have croissants!! Look forward to seeing you again!

16 Jul 2012

“Superb, Superb, Superb, Superb” This was our second trip to Le Calipel, after our first visit went pear shaped after our vehicle broke down and had to spend the week in a French garage being fixed, but we couldn't resist the allure of both the property, but especially mine hosts Donna and Ed - they are true, genuine people who made both our visits a truly exceptional time and nothing was to much trouble for them and I feel they are new friends and have kept in touch since (they make you feel like that). The property itself is truly amazing and is wonderfuly equipped for 2/3 people and is set in the most peaceful surrounds - somewhere to lose yourself for as long as you want - being an animal lover would be advantageous, as you have the choice of dogs, chickens, geese and bees, all of which Donna or Ed will be more than happy to show off if asked - it's the little welcoming touches that are wonderful as well and were greatly appreciated - I recommend at least a weeks stay and have no hesitation in saying that you will have a truly relaxing and wonderful time, truly wonderful. Thank you Donna and Ed, very much, what marvellous memories we have. Response: Thank you for your kind words-we strive to be helpful! Look forward to seeing you again soon!

Review: 1 to 3 of 3

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Rental prices

Prices for group size 3
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Summer	7 Jul 12	1 Sep 12	368£ 368	-	-	1 Week
Late Summer	1 Sep 12	28 Sep 12	305£ 305	105£ 105	105£ 105	1 Night
Autumn	9 Nov 12	22 Dec 12	305£ 305	55£ 55	55£ 55	3 Nights
Christmas & New Year	22 Dec 12	5 Jan 13	368£ 368	-	-	1 Week
Winter	5 Jan 13	23 Mar 13	305£ 305	48£ 48	48£ 48	3 Nights
Spring	23 Mar 13	27 Apr 13	305£ 305	48£ 48	48£ 48	4 Nights
Late Spring	27 Apr 13	11 May 13	342£ 342	48£ 48	48£ 48	4 Nights
Early Summer	11 May 13	15 Jun 13	368£ 368	53£ 53	53£ 53	4 Nights
June	15 Jun 13	29 Jun 13	473£ 473	69£ 69	69£ 69	4 Nights
July	29 Jun 13	27 Jul 13	578£ 578	79£ 79	79£ 79	4 Nights
August	27 Jul 13	7 Sep 13	630£ 630	-	-	1 Week
Autumn	7 Sep 13	21 Dec 13	289£ 289	45£ 45	45£ 45	4 Nights
Festive	21 Dec 13	4 Jan 14	368£ 368	-	-	1 Week

The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

Weekend and daily rates are available, please contact for details as these can vary from the rates stated.

The rates include the cost of central heating (oil fired) & electricity throughout the year. A complimentary basket of logs is available on your arrival and the woodburner will be alight during those chilly months.

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here