Just a short cycle ride from a magnificent sandy beach on the Cotentin Peninsula, this elegant yet authentic maison is set in a picturesque region where you can experience Normandy at its very best. Exquisite renovations and admirable attention to detail by the enthusiastic owners has led to a unique and very beautiful home which has been furnished with style and flair, after all this is their home as well. The chesterfield sofa, antique furnishings and a woodburning stove create a warm ambience whilst exposed stone and wood beams give the room immense character. The open-plan kitchen adds a touch of contemporary luxury and is brilliantly equipped for creating feasts with the local produce you will find at nearby markets. The romantic master bedroom upstairs has an antique bed and its own luxurious en suite with a classic roll-top bath whilst at the top of the maison, under the traditional wood beams, is an unusual but impressive open mezzanine with a double bed and lounge area. A pretty twin on the first floor completes the sleeping quarters of this delightful house. Catch the morning sun as you sip your coffee under the lilac tree by the rear courtyard, then spend summery afternoons relaxing in the south-facing courtyard by the BBQ, before heading for a glass of pommeau in the outdoor bar with its pizza oven and charming village view. Help yourself to herbs and vegetables in season, pick figs from the fruit orchard and admire the summer wildflowers. A large barn has been partially made into a games room where youll find all sorts of outdoor games, bikes and rackets for the village tennis court. Set in a rural village, you can cycle to the coast in about 10 minutes where you will find a wonderful sandy beach which is often deserted. There are some excellent restaurants and lovely shops in the two local towns, La Haye-du-Puits and Portbail, both of which also have atmospheric weekly markets. Barneville-Carteret is also a great place to visit with its Blue-Flag beaches, charming cafes, Michelin starred restaurant and a wealth of activities such as sailing, golf and horse-riding. As well as discovering some of the peninsulas charming villages and magnificent beaches, further afield the Normandy region is waiting to be explored. Mont Saint-Michel and Bayeux are just two of the many highlights within driving distance or guided trips can be arranged. Many of the D-Day landing beaches can also be reached within an hour, as well as cemeteries and museums commemorating an incredibly moving time in Normandys history. Perfect for a rural getaway near stunning beaches, traditional towns and villages with a fascinating history, as well as amazing cuisine, Maison Bertiniere offers character, style and a touch of luxury in this idyllic part of beautiful Normandy. #### Features Maison Interiors Ground Floor - Open-plan living and dining room with sofa-bed and wood-burner - Open-plan kitchen, well-equipped - Utility room - Bathroom with large power-shower and WC First Floor (via open-sided steep stairs) - Landing with lounge area with sofa-bed, small library and desk - Double bedroom with en suite bathroom with rolltop bath and WC - Twin bedroom Top Floor (open mezzanine level via steep steps) - Double bedroom with lounge area Outside Grounds - South-facing courtyard - Rear courtyard - BBQ - Pizza oven - Outdoor bar - Al-fresco seating area - Vegetable and herb garden - Fruit orchard - Wild flower meadow - Rear garden with pond - Barn with bikes, games, tennis rackets etc - Boules - Parking on site Facilities - Underfloor heating (ground floor) - Wi-Fi - DVD player - Games console - Table tennis - Boules - Snooker table - Darts - Beach and outdoor games - Bikes - Washing machine #### Location On the western coast of the Cotentin Peninsula, only an hour south of Cherbourg, Maison Bertiniere is set in a rural Normandy village very near the sea. You can cycle to the gloriously long sandy beach in about 10 minutes, using the bikes provided by the maison, or take a leisurely stroll in about half an hour (or five minutes by car). The village itself also has a communal tennis court which are free for guests to use when available (tennis rackets and balls are in the barn). The nearest places to eat, shops and supermarkets are a short drive/cycle ride away in La Haye-du-Puits (8km), a traditional and picturesque town with some excellent restaurants and charming bars, a tourism office and a weekly market on a Wednesday morning where you can pick up all sorts of local produce. Occasionally in the summer this expands into an atmospheric brocante (flea market). The port town of Portbail (11km) is also a great place to visit with beautiful historic buildings, good restaurants (especially for seafood lovers) and a Tuesday morning market which includes a particularly good artisan bakery stall. There are various festivals or events taking place in the summer; if youre staying in July look out for the festival of Normandy with fireworks whilst in late June there is usually a large brocante with food and live music. Heading north, the seaside resort of Barneville-Carteret (19km) is much loved by Parisians in the summer due to its cafes, restaurants (including one with a Michelin star) and brilliant sandy beaches which have been awarded a ‘Blue-Flag for cleanliness. For a picturesque day out, take the 1930s Contenin tourist train from Barneville to Portbail, following the coastline with views of the Channel Islands. Just further north, the dunes at Hatainville are especially beautiful. This area offers wonderful walking and hiking trails both along the coast and inland. Horse-riding is also incredibly popular here with centres near Barneville-Carteret offering rides along the beach for all abilities. You could just spend your days exploring the delightful Cotentin Peninsula with its vast, long stretches of sandy beaches, rural villages and amazing cuisine. Food and drink tours can be arranged via the owners allowing you to sample some of the local soft cheeses, seafood, chocolate, Calvados brandy, apple cider and pommeau. Yet there is also so much to explore further afield in Normandy, such as the outstanding Mont Saint-Michel (115km) and the historic town of Bayeux (80km) with the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry. The D-Day landing beaches are also nearby, for example Omaha (70km) and Arromanches-les-Bains (87km) as well as significant WWII villages such as Sainte-Mere-Eglise (33km); D-Day tours can also be arranged with the owners, tailored to your own particular interests.