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LATE AVAILABILITY -
Now taking bookings for 2012
Three gites in the grounds of a Normandy chateau - Voici, Voila & Votre
Voici , Voila and Votre are three cottages in the grounds of Le Castel. They have been created from a row of pretty 18 th century stone cottages and stables.
They are 50 metres from the Napoleon III chateau and have views of Le Castel's twin turrets.
The cottages are set in three acres of parkland just outside of the cathedral city of Coutances.
The cottages (gites) blend old world charm with 21 st century comfort. Original beams and exposed stone work collide harmoniously with innovative touches and styling from today. The cottages have TVs with UK channels (including children's channels) and a DVD player.
Votre is our newest cottage and is more contemporary than the others, which have a more rustic feel.
At Le Castel you are not just hiring a gite - you get full access to the salon in the chateau plus the terrace. Often you can book meals in the chateau or just pop up for a drink from the bar. Self catering guests can enjoy free tea, coffee and soft drinks in the salon plus free ice cream and lollies for the kids in the play marquee. Children's playtime can also be booked at additional cost - subject to availability.
There is also 65 square metres of soft play area in the Camelot marquee, a woodland den area, several huge lawns for games plus an above ground swimming pool (not heated). The toys in the marquee are aimed at 0 - 8 year olds but there are also bats, balls, rackets, frisbees, goal posts etc for older children. We also have four adults sized bikes (please bring your own helmets) and an array of smaller bikes and scooters for toddlers.
We can often deliver fully prepared or part prepared meals to your cottage.
With notice, we can arrange a professional baby sitter.
Voici
Voici is a two bedroomed gite with two bathrooms (one ensuite), a large lounge and a large dining kitchen. The ensuite bedroom has a double bed (140cm) and the other room has oversized twin sleigh beds (110cm and 120cm wide).
The cottage sleeps four people plus the odd child in a cot or put-u-up bed. Many families put a fold up bed in the twin room, although it does leave it a little on the cosy side (not that kids seem to mind!).
There is family bathroom on the ground floor, so the kids can be popped straight in the bath after playtime.
Being an old cottage, the staircase is steeper than you might be used to. There is a stairguard at the top, but not at the bottom.
There is a wood burner for use in winter.
Right outside is a picnic and BBQ area plus parking.
Voila
Voici not big enough for your party? Well, at certain times of the year you can also hire Voila, which is right next door. Please note that Voila is not available to rent on its own.
Voila has a large bedroom with a 140cm wide double bed. There is also a large ensuite shower room, study area , lounge and a small kitchenette with a sink and microwave.
Voila is like a little hotel suite and is ideal if your party includes grandparents or another couple, who want to be near to you but have a little extra privacy.
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Votre
A two bedroom gite with a large open plan reception area with four sets of double French doors.
There is a well fitted kitchen, dining area and lounge
Downstairs is a bathroom with a shower over the bath.
Upstairs is a good sized double bedroom and a small twin/triple room plus a toilet with wash basin .
Bed time is great fun for the kids as one of the beds is in the shape of a wooden fort with a rope ladder to climb into it. There is also a secret play area. A mattress can also be put underneath and there is a more traditional bed.
Votre has a sprial staircase which some children may find difficult to use. There is a stair guard at the top and a hand rail but no stair guard at the bottom.
Votre has a more contempory look than Voici
Need more space?
Often you can hire two or three of the gites together.
Combine Voici and Voila or Votre and Voila - you then have a gite that can sleep up to eight people.
Combine all three and you can sleep up to 12
Voila (the one bedroomed cottage) is not available in June, July or August as it is used by live in staff.
Kids stuff
Users of the gites get to enjoy the three acres of parkland that the gites and Le Castel are set in.
There is a huge play marquee filled with toys aimed at up to 8 year olds. It has a soft flooring with loads of Fisher Price an Tomy toys plus sand pit, bikes, scooters etc.
Search out the woodland den area where older children can let their imagination run riot with lots of planks and braches to create their own special places.
There are two large trampolines - one is 10ft in diametre and has a safety net. The other is 12ft diametre and does not have a net.
Also, check out swings, the 5.5 metre diametre swimming pool (above ground and not heated) and picnic areas.
Opposite Le Castel is a farm.
Laundry
The three gites have use of a well equipped laundry room with washing machine and dryer. There is also a clothes line.
The kitchens have a number of stock cupboard items, including herbs, spices, salt, pepper and flour. There will also be a bottle of Le Castel house wine to get you in the holiday mood (week long bookings only).
Meals at the Chateau
Give mum a break from cooking and have a meal at Le Castel. Gites users can enjoy beautiful table d'hote meals at the chateau every Friday night – £41/45 euro for five courses and coffee. Two course suppers at €25 (includes house wines, beers and soft drinks) are served most other nights during summer (not Thursdays). Reservations are required and the number of places is limited.
Shopping, Sightseeing & Beaches
Le Castel gites are in a beautiful rural setting, but the village of Montpinchon is just a few minutes away while a huge hypermarket is ten minutes away.
The cathedral city of Coutances is 15 minutes away.
Lovely sandy beaches are twenty minutes away.
Top tourist sights like Bayeux and the D Day beaches are 45 minutes away, while Mont St Michel is around an hour away.
The ferry ports of Caen and Cherbourg are both just over an hour away. Ask about discounts with Brittany Ferries. Eurotunnel is around 4 hours away on very good roads - break your journey at the pretty port of Honfleur or the glitzy seaside resort of Deauville.
