Auxais Private Mansion

Rooms

The mansion has three gorgeous bedrooms, all with ensuites. They all share a refined modern elegance but differ in colour scheme, from which they take their names (Pink, Blue and Green). 

Pink is the master double and occupies the entire lower floor. There's a fabulous bench seat set in the old fireplace, built-in wardrobes, kingsize bed and a cavernous freestanding tub and twin basins in the ensuite. Touches of mauve and rich burgundy add to the indulgent feel. 

The other two bedrooms are on the top floor, so expect a cosy attic-feel and lovely views. Blue is the second double and, though smaller than Pink, you still get a sumptuous kingsize bed and shower bathroom. Green is laid out dormitory-style with three single beds in a row separated by clever storage. Colourful art adorns the walls and shelves are filled with a few books and funky toys so it's perfect for kids. That said, these details are subtle enough that teens and adults won't feel out of place. 

Down the stately stone staircase there's a swanky kitchen and an achingly chic lounge/dining room. Modern, curvaceous furnishings and dramatic light shades pair timelessly with parquet de Versailles flooring and ornate ceiling moulds. With a smart TV, soundsystem and coffee table books to flick through, you might find yourself wishing for a rainy day or two.  

Features include:

• Bluetooth sound system
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Hairdryer
• Iron
• Satellite TV
• Toiletries
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

You'll be thrilled to self-cater once you see this kitchen. It boasts sleek surfaces, top of the range appliances, and enough crockery to host a royal banquet. You've got every utensil, pot, pan and piece of tech you could possibly need, including a double oven, American-style fridge-freezer, Nespresso machine and - crucially - a dishwasher. 

There's enough space for the whole gang to cook, chat and sip wine without feeling on top of each other, so making dinner can quickly turn into a kitchen gathering. On sunny evenings, take the party outside: there's a barbecue and alfresco dining area in the garden. If cooking really isn't on your agenda, a private chef or professional meal services can be arranged. 

A short stroll down the road will take you to gourmet grocers and supermarkets. If you're going out to eat, Bayeux has a good selection of restaurants and cafes, all within walking distance of the house. Franck can steer you towards the very best and help with reservations.  

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Chef on request
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

• Myriad pathways lead from the house and wind through the Normandy countryside, great for long walks and bike rides. Your hosts can help arrange bike hire, or bring your own if driving/ferrying here
• Military history buffs will be in their element: the largest Commonwealth WWII cemetery in France and the Museum of the Battle of Normandy are both in Bayeux
• D-Day beaches like Omaha and Utah are only a 20-30 minute drive away, and there are various forts and monuments in the surrounding areas
• There are a clutch of cideries in the local area that run tours and cider tastings
• For a fun family day trip, the iconic tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel is a 1hr30min drive away
• Wander around Bayeux's historic streets, admiring the many private mansions, churches (Bayeux Cathedral is magnificent) and quaint shopfronts  

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cider tasting
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Walking

Kids

Auxais Private Mansion is a great choice for families. Kids will love the large private garden and there's lots of space inside and out for everyone to relax. Teens and tweens learning about WWII will enjoy the history and monuments in the area.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

The triple room works well for all ages and comes stocked with children's books and toys.

Distances:

• Airport: 1hr 20m
• Hospital: 5 minutes
• Shops: 2 minutes

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Auxais Private Mansion is in the centre of Bayeux, a historic city in the Normandy region. 

By Air:
Deauville - Normandie (80km) is the closest international airport, or fly into Paris (250km) for more airline options. Bear in mind that from southern England it's not much quicker to fly, and much more carbon-intensive than the ferry or train.

By ferry from the UK/Ireland:
Bayeux is easy to reach from southern England, and the popular Portsmouth-Caen route docks in Ouistreham which is 30-40 minutes away by car. Otherwise Cherbourg is 1.5 hours’ drive away, with regular sailings from Portsmouth or Poole.

By Train:
Travelling by train from the UK is easy. Catch the Eurostar from London to Paris, then the train from Paris St Lazare to Bayeux (approx 2 hours).

By Car:
If you want to hire a car, please see our car rental recommendations.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to France and getting around