FOOD AND DRINK
Apple orchards are a picturesque feature in Normandy’s landscape, so it’s no surprise that many of its specialities feature apples, from the classic tarte aux pommes to local ciders. Similarly, the 640km coastline brings fresh seafood within easy
reach – including locally farmed oysters and scallops – and the vast stretches of pasture mean that dairy produce and local beef are highly prized. One thing you might be surprised by is the pré-salé lamb, which is not pre-salted but is reared on the salt marshes, giving it a particular flavour. And, of course, it’s almost obligatory to try Camembert and Pont-l’Evêque cheeses while you’re here.
and €300,000. If your budget stretches to €1.77m, you could own a stunning 13-bedroom château complete with Versailles-style interiors and 74 acres of grounds, and still be under two hours from Paris. For a year-round family
home, a budget of €300,000 will give you choices in most areas of Normandy, and if you want to be close to the Channel, you might be surprised to find that the department of Manche offers move-in-ready family homes for less than €150,000. If you have always longed
to live in a half-timbered house with period features, Normandy can make your dream come true for less than €200,000. At the moment, there are several period homes available within this budget, across the different departments, each with ceiling beams and original details. For building plots, a €50,000 budget will go furthest in
Eure, as you’re likely to get more land here, but you could afford a 2,900m2
“If you long to live in a half-timbered house with period features, Normandy can make your dream come true for under €200,000”
plot in
Heugleville or Bellencombre in Seine-Maritime, or a modest 200m2
plot near Rouen. As for
renovation projects, there is no shortage in Normandy, but should you find a property for under €30,000, it is likely to require a serious investment to make it habitable. There are some gems to be found though: large stone buildings that are structurally sound and often come with plenty of land, or smaller habitable homes for around €50,000.
TRANSPORT Accessibility is without doubt one of Normandy’s selling points, particularly for British visitors. The Eurotunnel terminus is only 90 minutes from Le Tréport, and ferries run regularly from Portsmouth to Le Havre, Caen and Cherbourg, with additional routes from Poole
Deauville is a Belle Epoque seaside resort located on Normandy’s Côte Fleurie
HORSES AT HEART Normandy is France’s top spot for horse-raising, horse-racing and horse-riding. Countless champion race horses have been trained here, and many equestrian specialists come to study and train here. It is home to the world-famous Haras-du-Pin national stud, a stunning property nicknamed ‘Horse Versailles’, renowned for its races, experts and displays, and even open to curious visitors.
WHY WE MOVED HERE
that I didn’t want to go back to Britain, so at the very start of 2020 I relocated to France. “For me, the move was
Briony-Molly Basterfield, aged 29, moved to Normandy aſter university four years ago. “I grew up in the lush Chiltern Hills, but we spent summer holidays in France, and my parents bought a house in Normandy in 2014, permanently relocating in 2017. Meanwhile, aſter finishing university in the UK and studying in Canada, I knew
St-Céneri-le-Gérei is a Plus Beaux Village situated near Alençon 26 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: March/April 2024
about the lifestyle: the culture, language, food, slower pace of life and all the little things. At first I was looking at Burgundy or Bordeaux, but due to Covid I came to Manche, which turned out pretty great. Accessibility from the UK is good, and Normandy really is horse country, which is great for me as I own three horses. The rate of livery is unthinkably cheap compared to UK prices. “There’s an English-speaking
community, but we’ve all learned French and the local people are amazing. Moving here stands as one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
©
© SHUTTERSTOCK
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148
