Normandy's Chateau de Monfreville
Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
Sleep under canvas and wake up to the sound of birds trilling, donkeys braying, all by a natural pond ideal for swimming for only 15 Euros per night!
I went there last week taking the overnight Brittany Ferries floating palace from Portsmouth to Caen, drove west on the N13, taking La Cambe exit, to be in time for lunch laid on by the refreshing Paul & Zoe McKinley whose guests feasted on a giant paella.
At the head of three generations in situ, is charming June Lewis, Sussex farmer, who bought the chateau 21 years ago in 1989; When June says, ‘My home is my castle' she really means it; she has now recruited her daughter Zoe, who, with husband Paul, won the Evening Standard's Best-Run Pub in London Award, to help manage the business; with their children, Jake and Molly, all have taken to French life with gusto.Great hospitality is their byword, and the ambiance is pure fun with weekly moules frites nights and full English Breakfasts or dinner by arrangement. The chateau, set above protected Marais wetlands, is home to plant and animal life, and migratory birds en route to Africa. The chateau, first owned by the Duke d'Isigny, an ally of William the Conqueror, d'Isigny's (Disney) descendants include Walt, whose cousin, Colonel Paul Disney, landed on nearby Omaha Beach in 1945, liberating the former family home 1,000 years later. Zoe & Paul - be en garde for a new invasion!
BRITTANY FERRIES:
(Reservations/Information 0871 244 1400
www.brittanyferries.com
CHATEAU DE MONFREVILLE:
Paul & Zoe McKinley, Isigny-sur-Mer 14230, France (Tel & Fax: 00 33 (0)2 31 21 35 42;
info@ chateaumonfreville.com
Camping under canvas (May-September); in addition, colourful gypsy caravans sleeping 4 can be rented.
The Chateau has attractive self-service gites (e.g. the lavishly-equipped Pond Cottage, housing up to 8 people) available all year round from 350 Euros p/w. On sale is organically-grown food, freshly-laid eggs & home-made jam produced on the property. Local village butcher and store just minutes away.
