From Deauville to Etretat via Audrieu, Normandy is the perfect destination for a rejuvenating weekend away from the city. Local architecture, local gastronomy and country charm are at the heart of these five hotels.
Château d’Audrieu
Set in a large 25-hectare park in Audrieu, Calvados, this eighteenth-century property, listed as a Historic Monument, has 29 rooms. These keys reveal the classic spirit of the place, oscillating with the atmosphere of a family home. This Normandy hotel also offers a suite perched in the trees with its own terrace overlooking the gardens. It’s a great place to take a stroll with the family, before heading to the heated swimming pool nestling in the greenery. Chef Samuel Gaspar’s restaurant, Le Séran, uses produce picked on the estate or sourced locally, to revisit French flavours with a contemporary twist. 200 wines accompany the gastronomic menu. In a former outbuilding, the Sisley spa is the perfect place to recharge your batteries after a day of sightseeing in this beautiful region.
Château La Chenevière
In Port-en-Bessin, right by the sea, this 18th-century manor house is the ideal place for a romantic weekend away. Château La Chenevière, a five-star hotel, offers 29 rooms and suites decorated with old-world charm and modern comforts. Some even have a private garden that extends onto the 12-hectare green setting. The hotel has two restaurants: Le Botaniste, a gourmet restaurant serving dinner and buffet breakfast, and Le Petit Jardin, a bistronomic restaurant open for lunch and dinner and overlooking the pool. All with a timeless French elegance that is much to be appreciated.
Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy
Direction Deauville, where one hotel in particular stands out. It’s the Barrière Le Normandy, an imposing manor house with green half-timbering, turrets and a traditional roof. Step into one of the 271 rooms, including 48 suites, and you’ll discover Toile de Jouy wallpaper, crystal chandeliers, impeccable beds and a lovely harmony of colours. For lunch or dinner, head to the Belle Epoque restaurant for truffle and ham coquillettes and the iconic sole meunière. To round off your stay? The Diane Barrière spa and its 18-metre swimming pool under a glass roof, bathed in soft Norman light.
Le Donjon Etretat
On the heights of Etretat, with the sea as a backdrop, the hotel Le Donjon – Domaine Saint Clair offers 25 rooms with a unique, delicately hushed decor. Spread over three buildings, these keys bear the names of illustrious characters such as Guy de Maupassant and Mademoiselle Baker. You can leave your accommodation to take a break at the Canapé, the hotel’s rooftop with an open-air jacuzzi, in the sauna that seems to plunge into the forest, on the massage tables overlooking the environment and in the heated swimming pool. If it’s hard to leave this bubble of relaxation, the Racines restaurant and its Michelin-starred table are well worth a visit. As is Le Masdac, the Arabic word for spring, a conceptual bar with Mediterranean influences boosted by a fine blend of cultures and Norman specialities.
Manoirs de Tourgéville
Not far from Deauville, in Tourgéville, this four-star hotel lives like a Norman country house. Nestling in a green setting, the half-timbered property is an ode to local architecture, originally built for a Claude Lelouch project (never released). It’s easy to understand why the private cinema is so large (50 seats). The hotel is built around a main building and four manor houses scattered around the grounds. Hence the name, Les Manoirs de Tourgéville. With references to the 7th art, the 57 rooms are named after famous actors and actresses. In terms of gastronomy, the recently renovated 1899 restaurant features Norman cuisine, under the leadership of chef Emmanuel Andrieu. An indoor swimming pool and wellness area complete the hotel experience.
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Featured photo : © Le Donjon Etretat
