Location description from owner

The Haute-Normandie region

Normandy is very picyuresque and is traditionally famous for its apple orchards, cider and calvados, its lovely brown and white cows and typical timber framed long houses; the reality certainly lives up to the image and its lush countryside has been called the larder of Paris. Magnificent white cliffs edge the coast; many of the peeble beaches have large expanses of sand for several hours either side of low tide.The dramatic events of the second world war continue to resonnate particularly along the coast where the beaches used for allied landings are much visited. Locally the eeire V1 rocket site at Ardouval is well worth a visit.

Saint-Vaast-d'Equiqueville

The village of St Vaast is located between Dieppe and the market town of Neufchatel, famous for its cheese. The village has 2 bakeries, a village shop and bar for groceries and fresh fruit & vegetables, plus a church, village hall, petanque pitch and football pitch. The small, sparkling Bethune river runs through the centre of the village.

Cycling is a national sport in France and Normandy is no exception, the majority of roads are a delight, uncrowded and well maintained. However roads are not the only place to cycle and the area is blessed with the Avenue Verte - a purpose made track that runs along the disused Dieppe to Paris railway and currently links Dieppe to Forges-les-Eaux. It passes through St Vaast and as well as being open to walkers is used for cycling, roller skating and horse riding. It is the perfect safe environment for all the family to take a cycle ride together. A recent development is that the village shop is now hiring out peddle go- karts for 1,2 or 4 people, to ride on the Avenue Verte; its great fun and very useful for little ones who don't ride a bike.

Nearby Dieppe is the closest port to Paris.It has a Chateau Museum, many restaurants, boutiques, antique shops and hypermarkets along with its bustling Saturday market held in the pedestrianised Grande Rue - a great place to buy local produce. Quai Henri IV bordering the marina is lined with a mouth watering array of restaurants specializing in sea food and the famous moules-frites dish.
The new Thalasotherapy complex, on the sea-front opposite the Casino is great for adults and children. It has both indoor and outdoor heated salt-water pools and offers a full range of swimming (counter current and slide) and treatment options.
Dieppe has a long promenade by the sea front with a large, pebbly beach, nearby are numerous smaller beaches, many with large expanses of sand, such as St Martin en Compagne.

Golfers are well served in the area with the excellent St Saens 18 hole course with its chateau clubhouse also offering an excellent restaurant and bar. Dieppe has a challenging 18 hole course.

The local produce of the area includes the heart shaped Neufchatel cheese along with cider, calvados, honey, and of course the wonderfully fresh seafood.
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There are many beautiful gardens to visit locally such as Les parcs de Moutiers at Varengeville, designed by Gertrude Jeykell and the house was designed by Lutchens. At Giverny, which is about a two hour drive away, you can visit Monet's home and studio as well as his famous garden. There are some interesting chateaux to visit such as Mesniers and Miromesnille, both about 12 km away.

Other family attractions are Parc des Cleres (gardens and animals), about 1/2 hours drive away, Parc Asterix about 1 hours drive south and of course Euro Disney, about 2 hours drive.