Property description

Unique rural situation, with stunning sea views, and 17th century towers, set in delightful countryside. Courtyard entrance to the main buildings, garden, orchard. Perfect for barbeque. Viewing terrace. Annexe building with large family room and games room. Close to picturesque harbour of Barfleur and St. Vaast-la-Hougue marina with fishing port and oyster beds. Sandy beaches, good for children + watersports (sailing, windsurfing, kayaking). Tennis. 2 golf courses nearby, riding, country walks. Sights include Normandy Landing beaches and museums, Bayeux Tapestry (1 hour), Mont Saint Michel, medieval towns, Norman churches and cathedrals, etc. 5 mins to supermarket and local markets most days. La Pernelle is 15 miles from Cherbourg port, 70 minutes from Caen and 6 autoroute hours from the Channel Tunnel.

Rates

Notes on prices
Off Peak Pricing:£500 per week for two people. £50 per extra person.

Changeover day
Changeover day is negotiable. Mid-week is usually preferred. Arrival time is usually 4pm and departure is usually 10am to allow for cleaning.

Accommodation description

Location

About the Owner

Anthony and Jill Saxton and their two young daughters fell in love with the area (the Val de Saire corner of the Cotentin/Cherbourg Peninsula) on their first visit way back in 1985. They liked it so much that they had a time share for ten years and then bought what has become "Hibou Blanc".

Anthony was a doyen of the international head hunting scene - he still works for some old clients - and Jill was creative director of Mary Quant cosmetics before becoming a mother and mature student of English Literature.

When Anthony was bought out of his old firm they commissioned a remarkable local architect and even more remarkable builder to restore the ruins of an old farm overlooking the sea.

Year property purchased: 1998

Why this location?

The views over the sea and port of Saint Vaast are exceptional - as are the views inland of the "bocage". We love the way you have the whole day - never unbearably hot, even in a heatwave -and rarely very cold. Our days used to consist of windsurfing at the Pointe de Saire, lunch in Saint Vaast and tennis on the Hougue. Now we are older we play golf near Quineville before lunch (moules) in beautiful Barfleur. When the weather is right we take out our boat for fishing or water skiing. And playing on the beaches (with or without grandchildren) has never lost its charm. Even in winter we love long walks by the sea or in the lanes, followed by a leisurely lunch with visiting friends. The standard of cooking (especially at Hibou Blanc) is high - particularly of fish.

What are the unique benefits of the property?

Getting there from UK is normally a doddle - particularly via Cherbourg in season from Poole or Portsmouth. Or via Portsmouth-Caen. Or cross the Channel from Kent and drive down - lovely roads all the way. Meanwhile there is an impeccable train service from Paris St Lazare to Valognes. Hibou Blanc is literally private and tranquil. But the first-rate supermarket is only five minutes' drive - and a restaurant (with more views) and bistro is ten minutes' walk. The layout of the house is imaginatively user friendly. For example it's a joy to be cooking whilst still socialising. And the beautiful (heated) slate floors and 3 bathrooms mean you never worry about bringing in sand or mud. The separate laundry room is a boon with wet sandy people (of all ages). And there's an ice machine!