Closerie du Vivier — Hotel in Bayeux

We had needed a base to explore Normandy and after a short contemplation of places in renowned locations (Caen, St. Mere Eglise...) we have found this propriety of a totally different type. This was the best choice we have ever done, becouse it was as taken out from our dreams. It is actually an old farm house, modified as if a crew of architects and designers from "Art et decorations" had worked hardly to make it as their next number main story. We had a Family Room with Lake View, that in reality is a hole section of the house, on 3 levels: a livingroom and kitchen at the ground floor, a large room with a double bed and a bathroom on the first floor and a children room with 2 single beds on the second floor. The ground floor has direct acces to a delightful terrace with view on a lake that is home of no less than 7 otters! There are also 4 very proud geese that have a regular scheedule of parading to and from the field each morning and evening. There is also Socrates, a young and bold parrot belonging to the owners, very friendly, as well as 2 dogs and a cat. the propriety has also a pool, perfectly blended in the ambiance of the place. If you are a fan of atmosphere like in "A good year movie" with Russel Crowe, of course without the irreplaceable scent of the south, this is the place for you. Staying on that terrace in the late evening sun, watching the otters in the lake, the geese coming home, tasting some French wine... you...

Despite arriving at 7pm (right in the middle of the 'arrival window' of 5-9pm stated on the website) the host was out so we phoned her and had to wait 20 minutes for her to turn up. She said she didn't know when we were arriving - that's why you have an arrival window you tell people to turn up in! While we were waiting two more people turned up, soaking wet as they had cycled from Caen in the rain, so they waited with us. We were there for 3 nights, but the room was not serviced at all. I don't mind having the same towel for 3 nights and making my own bed, but if you advertise a hospitality tray then it should be replenished and there is no excuse for leaving two small ends of toilet roll for a 3 night stay if you aren't going to service the room. The toilet roll ran out so we had to go and ask for more. I had asked if there was a key and the host said there was only one key, so we didn't lock the door to make sure they could get in for servicing. The wooden bathroom floor was very dusty on arrival and clearly not regularly cleaned. Just croissants and French bread for breakfast. The host's husband at least warmed the croissants but when he wasn't there they were cold. Avoid the 2.4% charge to pay by credit card by bringing enough cash. It's a quiet location in an old farmhouse which is very scenic, but overall just not good enough for...

We visited Normandy to view the beaches etc. And found this B andB . We particularly liked the fact it had a pool as our daughters enjoy swimming. We had a warm welcome and a beautifully home cooked meal on our arrival overlooking the lake. The family room was spacious and had everything you needed, but I would say a few things need replacing/ updating such as the kitchen and shower and the stairs to the upper room for the children could do with reinforcing with another rail. The beds were very comfortable, but the floors did need more of a clean. The dogs were a particular highlight for my youngest daughter and I felt that whatever we needed or wanted we just needed to ask. I do think there could be a little more information in the rooms about what is on offer, especially a menu with prices. Breakfast was lovely to chat with other guests from different countries, although breakfast was much less than I have experienced in other b and bs but what we had was very tasty. Overall, we had a wonderful, rustic French stay with friendly hosts that made us feel very welcome. Isabelle had some wonderful stories to tell us about the house! Thank you Isabelle...