A Weekend Break in Normandy
Thinking about a weekend break in Normandy?
Maybe you’ve only got a couple of days holiday left to squeeze in and you want to make the most of it!
You don’t need a week to experience the charm and beauty of South Normandy. From Medieval towns and stunning châteaux to country lanes, Brocantes, local produce and the famous pear orchards of the Domfrontais, there’s plenty to discover in just a couple of days.
Here’s how we’d spend 48 hours in our little corner of Normandy…
The weekend starts at Le Tertre!
FRIDAY - Arrive and Slow Down
The rushing stops here.
Check-in, unpack (if you want to!) and take a little time to breathe in the peace and quiet.
Pour yourself a glass of something, have a little wander around Le Tertre and slowly settle into the setting for your weekend.
When you’re ready, jump in the car and head to Domfront…
First stop - Domfront-en-Poiraie
Just a 15 minute drive from Le Tertre, medieval Domfront-en-Poiraie is the perfect place to start your weekend.
The town sits high above the surrounding countryside, with quaint historic streets, half-timber buildings and of course the remains of Château de Domfront where you can take in some spectacular panoramic views.
From there, wander down into the town, grab a drink at the lovely Au Bar Normand on the way (who also do fantastic Charcuterie and Camembert!) or head to Le Bistrot St Julien for a delicious meal before heading back to your cosy gîte to finish the evening in the peaceful countryside.
That’s Friday sorted.
SATURDAY - Châteaux, Brocantes and Local Flavours
After breakfast, head to lovely Lassay-les-Châteaux, just 15 minutes from Le Tertre and our absolute favourite local little town!
This is your quintessential French town straight out of a storybook.
Take a leisurely wander round the cobbled streets, pick up some delicious pastries at the patisserie Aux Délices de Lassay (stock up on croissants too for Sunday breakfast!) or fabulous cheeses at La Fromagerie and head to the impressive Château for a wander around. Once you’ve taken in all of the history, walk down to the lake and take a seat to enjoy your fabulously French lunch with a pretty special view.
Last stop is the pretty rose gardens 🌹
Our favourite lunch spot in Lassay!
After lunch: Brocantes and The Bocage!
No visit to Normandy is complete without a stop at a couple of Brocantes (shops or stalls selling vintage and antique items, traditional all over France!).
Luckily, Lassay has a couple perfect for your next stop…Brocante Lassay is right opposite the lake so you may have spotted its many treasures spilling onto the pavement whilst you had lunch! A bit bigger is The Cider Barn Brocante, ideally located half-way between Lassay and Le Tertre and currently open 2-5 every Saturday so you can plan your afternoon around this.
The rest of the day is yours… take a slow drive back to Le Tertre, stop off at anything that takes your fancy. You might want to take a walk to burn off those pastries! There’s lovely La Fosse Arthour about 20 minutes away, our very own lake at Ceaucé or nearby pretty Saint-Fraimbault, all ideal for a leisurely afternoon stroll and great for the dog if he’s tagged along!
If you’ve over-bought on the cheese, stop at one of the many local Poiré producers in the local area to sample and buy our famous local Normandy Pear Cider (or apple if you prefer!) which will make the perfect accompaniment for tea. Pacory-Ferme des Grimaux is just 10 minutes from Le Tertre.
After a busy day exploring take your pick… book a meal at L’Echauguette in Domfront for some delicious pizza or pasta, OR head back to Le Tertre for a cosy evening in your cottage armed with your cheese, pastries and Poiré!
If it’s warm enough to do so, take your light dinner and a glass of something special outdoors and just enjoy the quiet and each others company.
Drinks on the decking at The Farmhouse is the best end to a day exploring!
SUNDAY - Time for one last adventure?
Depending on your travel times, today can be whatever you choose.
Coffee! - What’s Sunday morning without coffee!? Drive to Bagnoles de l’Orne (about 25 minutes) and visit one of the many coffee shops in the famous spa town. Try Bella’s Tea Room or Le Café de Paris.
One more Château?- Take a drive to Mayenne around 25 minutes away and visit the Musée du Château de Mayenne.
Is it the dogs turn for a treat? - Take your bestie for a walk in the endless local country lanes or head into Ceaucé and pick up one of the ‘sunken-lane’ walks to really take in the beauty of the Bocage countryside on our doorstep.
48 Hours Later
You might not have seen everything that South Normandy has to offer but you’ve seen a lot!
You’ve had a taste of medieval towns, stunning châteaux, busy brocantes, delicious local food and most importantly you’ve sampled the slower pace of French rural life, all in one weekend!
Ready to book your own South Normandy Escape?
At Le Tertre, we have one traditional farmhouse and three characterful cottages tucked away in the Normandy countryside near Ceaucé.
Whether it’s a romantic escape, a peaceful dog-friendly break, or simply somewhere to switch off and slow down for a few days, we’d love to welcome you 🌿
Take a look at our accommodation or enquire about availability and prices here…