Out and About . . .

Les Quatre Vents is very close to the border of the Manche and Calvados departments and provides a good central touring base for exploring this part of Normandy so rich in history and heritage, art and culture, nature and gastronomy. It is within easy reach of miles of beautiful sandy beaches, the medieval cathedral city of Bayeux with its world-famous Tapestry, the D-Day Sites and Museums, the Mont St Michel . . . and Paris is only 2 hours away by train.

You will find plenty of Tourist Information and maps in the gîte, also a list of local events occurring during your stay, including vide-greniers (boot sales) and weekly markets where you can buy fresh local produce.

There's so much to see and do – for all ages and interests . . .

Click on the underlined text for website links.

On your doorstep . . .

Lovely countryside. The lane which ends at the property becomes a track, giving access to a network of footpaths and bridleways – great for walks, cycle rides and pony treks. Walking and cycling circuits and maps are available in the gîte.

There is a pony club just a short walk away where outings can be arranged to discover the surrounding countryside, the nearby Forest of Cerisy, and even the coast!

The river Elle is about 300 metres away and is a premier category river for trout fishing.
A daily or holiday fishing permit can be obtained from the village bar during the season (March to September).

In the local area . . .

The 5,000 acre Forest of Cerisy is nearby, with its tourist information centre, arboretum and nature trails for walkers, horse-riders and cyclists.

Cerisy la Forêt –
Bakery, bar/restaurant, convenience store, delicatessen, butcher, bank & cash machine, post office, doctor, pharmacy, tennis courts.
Beautiful 11th Century Romanesque Abbey with museum, lake and Sculpture Park.
Annual International Sculpture Festival in June.
Village Day in July with various festivities including a Fireworks Extravaganza with Son et Lumière around the Abbey and lake.

Balleroy –
Château and Gardens. Hot Air Balloon Museum.
Botanical Gardens at Castillion.

Le Molay Littry –
Market town with most facilities including two supermarkets.
Musée de la Mine (Coal Mining Museum).
Moulin de Marcy (Working Water Mill and Farm Museum).

Noron la Poterie –
Tours of pottery workshops. Poterie Turgis.

Parc des Sources d'Elle –
100 acres of beautiful gardens with woodland trails and picnic areas.
Eight lakes for Trout Fishing.
Fishing tackle is provided free, just buy what you catch – great fun for all the family!

St Lô –
Main town with shops, restaurants and all facilities.
The Haras National (National Stud), with regular Equestrian Events and Festivals.
Bocage Museum of farming history and animal husbandry.
Fine Arts Museum with a large collection of tapestries, 19th century paintings, drawings and engravings.
Chapelle de la Madeleine dedicated to the 29th and 35th U.S. Army Divisions, liberators of St Lô in July 1944.
Gourmet walks during July and August.
Ramparts and public gardens.
Boat rides and pedalo hire on the river Vire.
New Swimming Centre, new squash courts, new Compact Golf 6-hole golf course. Ten-pin bowling.

Bayeux –
Medieval Cathedral City with exceptional architectural heritage.
A fabulous Medieval Festival held on the first weekend of July.
Gothic Cathedral.
Bayeux Tapestry Museum.
British World War Two Cemetery.
Battle of Normandy Museum.
General De Gaulle Memorial Museum.
Baron Gérard Museum of Art, Lace and Porcelain.
Chocolate Museum.
Benedictine Monastery.
Botanical Gardens.

About 30 minutes away . . .

Sandy Beaches –
Miles of very clean, gently shelving fine golden sand.
Supervised bathing areas.
Plenty of free parking.

D-Day Landing Beaches and Sites –
American World War Two Cemetery at Colleville sur Mer.
Vestiges of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches.
German Gun Batteries at Longues sur Mer.
Pointe du Hoc.

D-Day Museums –
Arromanches – 6th June D-Day Museum and Cinema 360°.
St Laurent sur Mer – D-Day Memorial Museum.
Vierville sur Mer – D-Day Omaha Museum.
Colleville sur Mer – Big Red One Assault Museum.
Grandcamp-Maisy – Rangers Museum and Maisy Battery.

La Cambe –
German World War Two Cemetery.

Isigny-Sur-Mer –
Tours of Isigny Sainte-Mère production facilities. Award-winning butter, cream and cheese.

Caumont-l'Éventé –
Le Souterroscope – Tours of the cathedral-like caverns of the former slate mine.

About 45 minutes away . . .

Caen –
Vibrant Capital City of Lower Normandy.
William the Conquerer’s Castle.
Abbaye des Hommes and Abbaye des Femmes.
Mémorial de Caen (museum of contemporary history and for world peace).
The History of Normandy Museum (archaeology and culture).
Festyland (Fun Activity Park).
Girafou (Children's Indoor Playcentre).
Ouga Park (Indoor Activities for All Ages).

Ouistreham –
Grand Bunker – German WW2 Fortification.
No. 4 Commando Museum.

Colleville-Montgomery –
Hillman Bunkers – German WW2 Fortifications and Suffolk Regiment Museum.

Bénouville –
Pegasus Bridge Museum – British Airbourne Museum.

Courseulles-sur-Mer –
Canadian World War Two Cemetery.
Juno Centre – Canadian Museum on the D-Day Beaches.

Douvres-la-Délivrande –
German WW2 Radar Museum.

Ste Marie du Mont –
Utah Beach Museum.
Museum of the Liberation.

St Côme du Mont –
Dead Man's Corner Museum.
National Marshlands Park.

Ste Mère Église –
U.S. Airbourne Museum.
Cotentin Farming Museum.
Crisbecq Battery.
Azeville Battery.

Coutances –
13th century gothic cathedral city.
Beautiful public gardens.

Villedieu-les-Poêles –
Bell Foundry.
Copper, Pewter and Lace-making centres.
Zoo at nearby Champrepus.
Enchanted Village at nearby Bellefontaine.

Granville –
Boat trips to the Channel Islands.
Christian Dior House and Gardens.
Museum of Modern Art.
Maritime Museum.
Aquarium, displays of butterflies, insects, minerals and shells.
Cider-Making Farm and Museum.

Avranches –
Scriptorial – Discover the ancient manuscripts of the Mont St Michel and the skull of St Aubert, the founder of the Abbey.
Public gardens.

St James –
American World War Two Cemetery.

Just over 1 hour away . . .

Le Mont St Michel –
11th Century Abbey.
France's second most visited tourist site after the Eiffel Tower!
Alligator Bay – Reptile Park.

Cherbourg –
Cité de la Mer – Europe's deepest aquarium. Visit the nuclear submarine.
Ludiver – Planetarium and Observatory.

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