Le Castel

Press Reviews

The Guardian, October 2011
"The all-inclusive family holidays feature seven nights in a two-bedroom suite with all meals, organised play sessions – and free ice-lollies in the play tent.... We love the relaxed atmosphere (you don't need to worry about your children staining the carpets) and kids love the woodland den, swings, board games and table football. Adults-only evening meals are the perfect chance to relax once they've gone to bed."

Sunday Times, February 2011
"...You stay in a roomy and stylish two bedroomed suite with toys and children's books supplied. There's childcare on some days so you can send the children down for breakfast while you lie in; in the evenings the little 'uns get a supervised high tea as you relax before having a proper dinner later; and well stocked fridges are yours for snacks any time. There's a pool, of course, but also a huge play marquee with toys and table tennis, a woodland den in the four acres of grounds, a sandpit, swings and more... It is aimed at children aged 3 - 12."

The Independent, October 2008
"Who better to arrange a special celebration than a party animal [like] Jon Barnsley. This former showbiz editor of a British national newspaper... has sipped champers with Posh and Becks, Kylie, Elton and the rest... And he has the perfect pad for a party, although it offers a distinctly different experience to a wild night out at Boujis. These days, Jon hosts celebrations in the more refined setting of Le Castel, a Napoleon III era chateau in four acres of parkland near Coutances in Normandy... Le Castel's growing popularity should come as no surprise; the vast garden with its cathedral of trees and the delightful symmetry of the twin-turreted chateau provide a beautiful backdrop for a special occasion, plus the large, long drawing room is a smart space in which to mingle."

The Best Family Hotels in France, The Daily Telegraph, May 2008
"A stunningly decorated yet child-friendly Napoleon III château. A contradiction? Jon Barnsley and Nicholas Hobbs have achieved it with elegant family accommodation and children’s suppers, leaving parents free to enjoy their house-party dinners."

Guest Reviews

Reviews are only from people who have stayed there and booked through i-escape.

• “Le Castel is a wonderful base for relaxing and exploring the area. The welcome is warm and friendly, and the house is superb.
  We used Brittany ferries from Portsmouth to Caen and were perfectly satisfied. The drive to Le Castel was straightforward and using satnav helped since Le Castel is well off the beaten path. We highly recommend going out of season, when even Mont St Michel is (relatively) quiet. Many people combine a visit to Bayeux with exploration of the Normandy D-Day beaches: if doing that we would advise eating in Bayeux, where the restaurants are better and reasonably priced.”
  Christopher, United Kingdom (09.10.11)

• “We stayed at Le Castel for our 1st wedding anniversary and it was everything we expected it to be and more. The chateau was fantastic and Jon is a great host.”
  Hazel, United Kingdom (23.11.10)