The area
History, sweeping beaches and the authentic cuisine of Normandy
A base in the heart of Normandy
Our gîtes are in Lison, in the peaceful Normandy countryside. From the estate you easily explore the best of the region: the D‑Day beaches, medieval towns, fishing harbours and the rolling fields of the Norman countryside.
Everything below is within a 30-minute drive. No long car journeys, then, but a day full of impressions and the silence of the garden in the evening.
Everything within driving distance
Omaha Beach & the 'Les Braves' memorial
One of the five landing beaches of 6 June 1944, and perhaps the most striking. A miles-long stretch of broad sand where the sea pulls far back at low tide.
Standing in the surf is the steel memorial 'Les Braves' by Anilore Banon, in memory of the fallen. Still, vast and moving all at once, a place you won't soon forget.
American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer
High on the cliff above Omaha Beach, almost 9,400 white crosses and Stars of David lie in endless rows, looking out over the sea.
A place of deep calm and reflection. The visitor centre tells the story of D‑Day and the liberation of Normandy, name by name.
Pointe du Hoc
On the cliffs between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach lies Pointe du Hoc, one of the best-known D-Day sites. American troops captured the German positions here under heavy fire. The bunkers and traces of the bombardments are still visible today, making this a particularly impressive place.
Bayeux, tapestry & cathedral
The first town in France to be liberated, spared during the war. World-famous for its almost thousand-year-old, 70-metre tapestry telling the conquest of England in 1066.
Alongside it, an imposing Gothic cathedral and a medieval centre full of terraces, artisan shops and a charming market.
Cliffs & fishing harbours
Rugged cliffs, small harbours and miles of beach at low tide. Port-en-Bessin and Grandcamp-Maisy are lively fishing ports where the boats come in each morning.
Fresh fish, mussels and oysters straight from the sea, and beautiful walks along the coastline overlooking the Channel.
Markets, cider, calvados & oysters
At the local farmers' markets you taste the best of Normandy: raw-milk cheese, butter, cider, the famous calvados and fresh oysters.
Much of it straight from the producer. Take a full basket back to the estate for a long evening at the table.
Travelling from Lison
Lison has a train station on the Paris–Cherbourg line, handy for a day trip without a car. By car, the ferry ports of Caen (Ouistreham) or Cherbourg bring you smoothly to the estate. A sat-nav to Lison takes you to the dead-end lane; we are glad to guide you the last few metres.
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