Clos de Bellefontaine

Rooms

The double-bedded ‘Elégance’, is the room to go for. It's on its own private 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. This is a B&B so don’t expect telephones, hair driers or other gadgetry.

The 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:

• Central heating
• Cots Available
• Extra beds
• Fireplace
• 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 to the coast to the Michelin-starred L’Ecailler in Port en Bessin, 10 minutes’ drive north. 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 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
  
• In the first week of June the town stages a D-Day commemoration week; during the first weekend of July, locals don medieval costume for the Medieval Festival
  
• Stock up on local cheeses and ciders at the town’s huge market on a Saturday morning
  
• Swim or hike along the many beaches near Bayeux: Colleville sur Mer, 15km, is the nicest one, 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

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.

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