Exploring Swiss Normandy from the Comfort of the Bocage
The Bocage of Normandy
When you book a stay at our Farmhouse or Gîtes in Ceaucé, Normandy, you position yourself at a fascinating geographical crossroads.
To your South and West lies our home region: the rolling, sun-dappled Bocage Domfrontaise. To your North lies Suisse Normande (Swiss Normandy)- a land of dramatic gorges, sheer cliffs, and adrenaline-pumping heights.
If you are planning a trip to Swiss Normandy, the great news is you don’t have to choose between these two worlds.
Read on to discover the reasons you should add these two experiences to your next trip to Normandy…
What is the ‘Bocage’?
Looking out of your window at Le Tertre, you won’t see vast, open prairies. Instead you are looking at the Bocage Domfrontaise - a beautiful, historic landscape unique to Western France.
The Design
An ancient maze of small, rolling pastures enclosed by thick, wild hedgerows, earthen banks and stone walls.
The Purpose
French farmers created these over centuries to protect dairy herds and pear orchards from Atlantic winds and to keep cattle from wandering.
The Secret Trails
The Bocage is famous for its ‘chemins creux’ (sunken lanes). These are ancient walking tracks cut deep into the earth, completely covered by a canopy of trees and they provide miles of shady, traffic free walking directly from our doorstep!
The History
Following the D-Day landings, the Allied advance stalled for weeks in what historians call the ‘Battle of the Hedgerows’.
The Allied tanks and troops were completely unprepared for the bocage! Each tiny field acted as a mini-fortress and the dense foliage provided the perfect camouflage for hidden German defenders turning the Normandy campaign into brutal, field-by-field combat.
The Contrast: What is ‘Swiss Normandy’ (La Suisse Normande)?
Just a short drive from our peaceful bocage escape, the terrain completely transforms as you enter La Suisse Normande. Despite what the name suggests, there are no snow-capped alpine peaks or glacial lakes! Instead, this region earned its moniker because the winding Orne River has spent thousands of years carving deep, dramatic gorges and jagged granite cliffs straight through the ancient hills of the Armorican Massif (the ancient geological region made of hard, crystalline rock as old as 540 million years, that forms the foundation of northwestern France!)
The result is a striking, miniature mountain landscape right here in northern France where flat fields give way to sheer 118 meter rock faces, rapid river loops and sweeping panoramic viewpoints.
Unsurprisingly this is the adventure capital of the region, a thrilling playground for kayaking, rock climbing and hang-gliding.
Staggering Views from La Roche d’Oëtre and its 118 meter drop
The Best of Both Worlds
We’re a little spoilt at Le Tertre! We get the peace and charm of the classic Norman Bocage countryside whilst also serving as a perfect launchpad for day trips into the dramatic, rocky landscape of Swiss Normandy.
Whether it’s a gentle morning stroll through hidden country tunnels or a more challenging trek through rocky cliff gorges, you can plan both from your base at Le Tertre 🌿
Get your Bocage boots on! 🥾
Here’s the best 3 walking loops in the Normandie-Maine Regional Natural Park all within easy reach…
The Secret Sunken Lanes Loop (Easy, 5.8km Circular, Families, casual walkers and dog owners 🐾)
Starting from the Church in the centre of Ceaucé, you’ll immediately find yourself in the network of ancient tree-canopied chemins creux (sunken lanes).
You’ll walk in the shelter of hazel and oak branches, past timber-framed farmsteads, ancient stone walls and the local orchards that produce our famous Poiré (Normandy Pear Cider).
The Mythic Mont Margantin Trail (Moderate difficulty, 10.6km, best for hikers wanting panoramic views)
Starting from the border of Ceaucé, Avrilly and Saint-Brice-en-Passais, this moderate path climbs steadily to the summit of Mont Margantin, one of the highest peaks in the local area at 270 meters altitude.
Your reward at the top is a stunning view over the entire bocage valley! See if you can spot the historic Croix des Prières (Cross of Prayers), a famous stone calvary landmark along an ancient annual pilgrimage route from centuries ago.
The Lancelot du Lac Castle Loop (Easy, 7km, Flat, Family Friendly)
Starting at the town hall in Lassay-les-Châteaux, the route follows a figure-of-eight path through the countryside, taking in the three châteaux that give Lassay its name.
Deep rooted in Authurian legend, local lore claims that Lancelot was raised by the Lady of the Lake in the surrounding bocage forests and that his burial site rests nearby.
When you get back into the town, enjoy a cool-down drink (or delicious hot chocolate!) at Le Brazza in the high street!
Experience Swiss Normandy 🌿
Whilst staying at Le Tertre, don’t miss the opportunity to experience these iconic outdoor ‘must do’s’…
Stand on the Edge at Roche d’Oëtre
One of the oldest and most spectacular natural viewpoints in Europe! You can walk out to the main lookout for views that feel very un-French.
There’s also a great visitors centre, an acrobatic tree-climbing park and several well marked trails ranging from short family strolls to rugged hikes.
Experience Riverside Life in Clécy
Clécy is the vibrant, picture postcard capital village of Swiss Normandy. The village has traditional stone houses and an amazing viaduct spanning the Orne river.
Head down to the riverbanks to hire canoes, kayaks or electric pedal boats from bases like Beau Rivage.
Prefer dry land? Enjoy a local meal on the open-air terraces of the many bustling ‘guinguettes’ (bistros), whilst watching the brave rock climbers tackle the cliffs directly opposite.
Take in the Panoramas on the Route des Crêtes
This dramatic panoramic road runs high above the Orne valley between Saint-Rémy and Pont-d’Ouilly, offering sweeping 360-degree views over the valley and jagged rock formations below.
The undisputed capital of paragliding in Normandy, you can park at the take off points to watch the colourful paragliders take off OR book a tandem flight for yourself!
Canoeing on the Orne River in Clécy
The Perfect Swiss Normandy One-Day Itinerary
Tick off all three Swiss Normandy essentials in one epic day during your stay at Le Tertre…
📍10:00am - 11:30am | Roche d’Oëtre (45 mins drive)
Arrive before midday to avoid the crowds!
Take the Sentier des Granits path
Grab a morning coffee
📍12:00pm - 3:30pm | Riverside lunch and Paddling in Clécy (20 mins drive)
Park by the river at Le Vey
Grab an outdoor table at Au Fil de l’Eau or Le Moulin du Vey for a relaxed lunch by the river
Visit Beau Rivage and rent an electric paddle boat for a gentle 1-hour spent on the Orne river
📍3:45pm - 5:30pm | Leave Clécy and head towards Saint-Rémy-sur-Orne
Join the Route des Crêtes, driving along the spine of the hills
Pull over at the Clécy Paragliding Take-Off Site. Take a seat and watch the paragliders take off. Enjoy the 360-degree valley views
📍5:30pm | Head back to Ceaucé (50 mins)
Stop off at Domfront for an evening drink or pizza at L’Echauguette in the old town
Return to Le Tertre, relax, reflect on your day and plan your next adventure!
Why Choose?
You don’t need to decide between spending your days getting lost in the romantic, apple scented sunken lanes of the Bocage or conquering the wild, rocky peaks of Swiss Normandy, during your stay at Le Tertre you can experience it all!
Nestled in the peaceful countryside, your accommodation is the perfect place to return to after a days exploring. Fire up the BBQ, enjoy a chilled glass or Poiré and watch the sunset over the fields as you plan tomorrows adventure.
If you need any help planning your Normandy escape, we’re here to help and we’d love to host you…