Calm and charm are the keynotes of this lovely 19th-century maison de maitre, 10 minutes walk from Bayeux’ famous tapestry. The guest wing has 3 antique-furnished bedrooms: a sumptuous double in stylish white, a cosier double next door, and a pretty twin snuggling under the eaves. Spacious and elegant common rooms include a large chocolate and white sitting room with fine carved fireplaces, a grand entrance hall, and an elegant dining room where owner Carole Mallet serves her celebrated breakfasts.
In summer you can sit out on the south-facing terrace overlooking the vast and verdant garden. Having regaled yourself with home-made apple tart, fresh fruits, local cheeses and a host of other goodies, it’s an easy stroll into the centre of this historic stone town, made famous by William the Conqueror’s half brother Odo who commissioned the tapestry to decorate his newly built cathedral.
Highs
- Carole's homemade breakfasts are magnificent, and she and Jerome will do anything to make you feel comfy - lighting a fire in the evening, or booking restaurants
- We love the huge and tranquil enclosed garden, with its ancient trees and sunny spots to sit
- The guests' part of the house is separate, and has its own entrance
- There's secure parking inside electronically controlled gates
- Beautiful Bayeux is everyone’s favourite Norman town, and you are within easy reach of the D-Day landing beaches too
Lows
- With only three rooms you need to book well in advance if you want to stay at this wonderful place
- The top-floor twin, with its sloping ceilings, is not great for tall guests (but perfect for children)
- This is a homely, historic B&B so don’t expect TVs, hairdryers or other gadgets
- If you really don’t like children you might think again, as Carole and Jerome have four - but you won’t hear a thing as their part of the house is totally separate
Best time to go
Its at its best between March and November. Avoid August if you don’t want to be disturbed by children playing. Come in the winter for blazing fires and lovely walks; come in summer if you fancy some serious lazing in the sun.
Our top tips
In the first week of June the town stages a D-Day commemoration week; while during the first weekend of July, locals don medieval costume for the Medieval Festival. If you can conincide with either of these, do.
- Boutique B&B
- 3 rooms
- Breakfast only
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Double-bedded Elégance, is the room to go for. It's on the first floor, with lots of space and light. Colours are calming white and beiges, offset by dark antiques and a stunning oak parquet floor. As throughout the house, Carole has inserted little touches, like fish-shaped door handles or local toffees on crisp linen pillows. You wake up to soothing views over the garden. The bathroom, in blue and white, is compact but still manages to fit a bath.
On the same floor is a smaller double, Normandy, with a calming grey palette brightened by pops of artwork and colourful cushions. Expect parquet floors, a simple bathroom with tub, and views of the garden from the tall window.
Twin-bedded Charme, up a spiral staircase, has a cosier feel, with 2 single white iron beds nestling under exposed roof beams. The separate, spacious bathroom has a tub and an easy chair for relaxing in.
Features include:
- WiFi
Eating
Carole’s breakfasts will be the highlight of your stay. She varies the menu according to what’s in season, but when we visited we feasted on a home-made tarte aux pommes, fresh strawberries and other fruit, a selection of local cheeses, orange juice, dried fruits, cereals, natural yoghurts, a great range of breads and pastries, all washed down with coffee or a choice of six types of tea.
After all that, you may not have space for much lunch. For something light, try the Moulin de la Galette which enjoys a lovely setting on the river, or the atmospheric Le Petit Bordelais, which does a yummy and affordable plat du jour .
For a seafood splurge at dinner time, head 10 mins north to the coast at Port en Bessin, which boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants. If you don't want to drive, Le Petit Bistrot opposite Bayeux cathedral serves imaginative dishes at very reasonable prices, while La Rapière, just off the Rue St Jean (Bayeux’ main street), offers trad Norman cuisine in an atmospheric setting. Try the timbale du pecheur, a fish stew whose ingredients vary according to what fish has been caught that day.
Features include:
- Breakfast
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- The Bayeux Tapestry, the longest and most famous comic strip in the world, is a must-see. Look out for the kebabs served at William’s pre-invasion feast, and the dodgy goings-on in the tapestry’s borders
- Don't overlook the town's impressive cathedral, its tranquil stone streets and mercifully tat-free shops
- If you’re a military history fan, Bayeux is the best departure point for tours of the D-Day beaches and museums. It also houses its own newly-revamped Musée-Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie, and a British war cemetery
- Stock up on local cheeses and ciders at the town’s huge market on a Saturday morning
- Swim or stroll along the many beaches near Bayeux: Colleville sur Mer, 15km, is the nicest, and you can hire canoes and chars à voile here, or sailing boats at Courseulles-sur-Mer
- Golf is available at Port-en-Bessin, 10 minutes’ drive north; tennis, cycle hire and swimming pools in Bayeux (ask Carole)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Museums / galleries
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Traditional cultures
- Windsurfing
Kids
Children are welcome, cots are free, an extra bed is available.
Having four of her own, Carole knows how to deal with young guests and makes them thoroughly welcome. For older children the twin room is perfect.
Best for:
All ages
Family friendly accommodation:
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Babysitting:
Babysitting available by arrangement
Baby equipment:
Baby cots available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Le Clos de Bellefontaine is in central Bayeux, in Normandy.
By Air:
Caen (30km) is the closest airport, or you can fly into Paris (250km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports, but do bear in mind that from southern England it is no quicker to fly, and much more carbon-intensive than the ferry.
By ferry from the UK/Ireland:
Bayeux is easy to reach from southern England, and Caen is just 40 minutes away by car (half of that on motorway). Portsmouth-Caen is a popular route. Otherwise Cherbourg is 1.5 hours’ drive away (30 minutes on motorway), with regular sailings from Portsmouth or Poole.
By Train:
If you'd prefer to travel overland from the UK, take 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
Airports:
- Caen 30.0 km CFR
- Paris Charles de Gaulle 250.0 km CDG
Other:
- Beach 10.0 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 1.0 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 2 independent reviews from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape