Chateau Les Douves
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Overview
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With style reminiscent of a miniature Versailles, this striking chateau in Normandy conjures the grandeur of the 17th and 18th centuries from the moment you approach it through the tree-lined driveway. The chateau effortlessly combines classic touches (from the stonework in the garden to the Aubusson carpets and even an original c17th backgammon set), with the modern amenities you expect, such as jetted tubs, Nespresso machine, widescreen TV (with Netflix and DVD) and the heated pool, to name just a few.
This is no dark and dreary castle - large windows on both sides of the chateau let light stream in throughout the day. Sportsmen and women can compete on the private tennis court, do some laps in the pool, fish in the moat, and bicycles are also available for anyone wanting to leave the extensive grounds. The beach at Fontenay-Sur-Mer for example is within easy biking distance.
Through the gardens, 100m away from the main chateau, is a separate cottage that’s perfect for a small family who prefers more privacy.
Here, your family chateau holiday includes the best of both worlds: peaceful French countryside, with access to historic sites. Only 15 minutes away WWII history comes to life in the town of Sainte-Mère-Église and Utah Beach, the site of the D-Day landing. Cherbourg & Caen are the nearest port and airport, but it is also convenient to drive from Paris, just 3 hours away.
Please note this property is available for groups of up to 14 guests when renting the chateau and the cottage. For smaller parties of up to 10 guests, the chateau on its own can be rented at a reduced price.
What you should know…
- The cottage is charming and comfortable but is not furnished to the same standard as the chateau (see photos)
- You will share the vast estate with two ponies, two swans, a cat and a dog!
- The guardian lives on site but away from the chateau
- There's a moat about 20m from the house which can be used for carp fishing plus a smaller one near the pool
- When the 10-person rate is booked the cottage is not available for guests to access. The cottage is only available to guests when the 14-person rate is selected
- Please note that the maximum capacity permitted includes infants
Property Features
14-person rate: Chateau and Cottage, 8 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms
10-person rate: Chateau only, 6 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Please note that the maximum capacity permitted includes infants.
Ground Floor
- A large kitchen (50 m²) equipped with two electrical ovens, 3 electric halogens hot plates, an electric plancha, full height refrigerator with freezer compartment, dishwasher and lots of cooking equipment. Sufficient crockery, silverware and glassware for the rental capacity; kitchen table for up to 10 and a bar counter for up to 5.
- A pantry with sink, kitchen table, Nespresso machine & washing machine
- A Boiler room
- A Mud Room with hangers and bench
- A large TV/Playroom (65 m²) with satellite TV, DVD-player, Hi-Fi, bookshelves, Wi-Fi, two Chesterfield sofas, armchairs, games table (some DVDs & English books are available).
First Floor
- A large Louis XIII dining room (50m²) with a maximum capacity of 14/18. Kitchenware is furnished for to cater for the maximum capacity.
- A small dining/breakfast room for up to 8 is equipped with dishwasher, 2 hot plates, sink, microwave, refrigerator,toaster, coffee and Nespresso machine and crockery.
- A large Regency bedroom (30 m²) with a double bed (140x190), shower, toilet and a small hand basin.
- A cloakroom with phone, Wi-Fi printer, umbrellas and cupboard with numerous regional guides.
- A large guest WC with double sinks, cupboard with numerous vases.
- A large blue Louis XV Drawing Room (50 m²) with meridienne, armchairs, game table and Piano forte (not tuned!). A great spot for a gin and tonic pre-dinner!
- A Louis XIII library/drawing room (45 m²) with sofa, armchairs, desk, tapestry, bar, Hi-FI.
Second Floor
- A large double en-suite bedroom (30 m²) with a double bed (140x200) with bathroom with double sinks, separate shower, Jacuzzi bathtub and WC.
- A single bedroom with a 100 x 190cm bed, bidet and hand basin.
- A double bedroom with a shower and hand basin.
- A laundry room with washing machine, dryer, ironing table.
- A large double en-suite bedroom (35m²) with a 140x200 electrical bed and bathroom with bathtub, separate shower, WC, and en-suite dressing room, mini TV (only local channels).
- A twin bedroom (25 m²), with two single beds 90x200 which may be joined on request.
- A child bedroom/den with a small bed 80x150 (not accounted for in the sleeping capacity). This connects with the twin bedrooms so works well for small children.
- A hall bathroom which connects to the twin room but can also be accessed from the corridor, with sink & bathtub.
- A separate WC.
Cottage (100m from chateau)
Ground Floor
- Kitchen/dining room fully equipped with an oven, fridge, dishwasher, microwave, hot plates
- Living room
First Floor
- Bedroom with double bed (140cm x 200cm, can be split into 2 single beds)
- Bedroom with twin beds (90cm x 190cm)
- Bathroom with bathtub and WC
Outside Grounds
- Heated swimming pool (27-29 degrees) with key operated cover
- Outside shower
- Private tennis court
- Moat for carp fishing (2m deep) and one near pool
- Mountain bikes (basic style)
- Vegetable garden with swings
- Table tennis games room
- Croquet
- Gas barbecue (on request)
- Tennis racquets
- Basic fishing rod (carp are available in the lake)
- Various animals live on the premises - two ponies, a dog, cat and two swans
Location
About the surrounding area of Chateau Les DouvesChateau Les Douves lies in the heart of the wild and beautiful Cotentin Peninsula area in Normandy, in Fontenay-sur-Mer, 300km west of Paris. The closest train station is Valognes (12 km).
You can discover and enjoy the local area by walking or biking through the beautiful and peaceful countryside. There are many bikes available at the chateau (free of charge) so we recommend exploring the local area this way as the roads are so quiet.
During your stay you should visit the historic town of Valognes, particularly the Hotel de Beaumont and the famous Cider Museum. Here you will find everything you need during your stay (supermarket, shops, restaurants etc) and it is only ten minutes drive away from the chateau.
The chateau is 3 miles from the beach and an 18 hole golf course created 30 years ago by the father of the current owner of the chateau!
There are also several riding clubs around where lessons or private hire can be organised.
Distances
- 5 mins to sandy beaches
- 15 mins to the D-DAY BEACHES (Utah Beach)
- 15 min to world renowned village Sainte-Mere-Eglise
- 1.5 hours to the Mont St Michel
- 45 mins to The Bayeux Tapestry.
- 2 hours to Honfleur.
- 2 hours to Gardens at Giverny (Monet).
- 2 hours to Rouen.
- 3 hours to Paris by car or train.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Cherbourg & Caen
(31-35 km) |
||
| Nearest Ferry Port |
Cherbourg
(31-35 km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Fontenaysur Mer
(1km) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Montebourg/Quineville
(5km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Quineville
(5 km) |
||
| Nearest Bar/Pub |
Montebourg
(5 km) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Fontenay sur Mer
(5 km) |
||
| Nearest Golf |
Fontenay sur Mer
(5 km) |
||
| Nearest Shop |
Montebourg/Quineville
(5km/5km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
Montebourg/Quineville
(5km/5km) |
||
Region
History and gastronomy go hand-in-hand in Normandy, making it a great choice if culture and fine dining are what you’re looking for in a holiday! There’s still plenty on offer besides the food and tales of yesteryear, however – you can take a tour around some of the beautiful inland towns and villages or head to the coast, where you’ll find a mixture of wide sandy beaches and rugged, romantic cliffs. If you’re not already convinced to head to one of our villas in Normandy (or maybe if you’ve already booked) you’ll find a wealth of great things to do, see and eat in our ultimate Normandy travel guide!
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesBaby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Beach Nearby
- <1hr to Airport
- Horse Riding
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Swings
- Board games
- Boules/Petanque
- Badminton
- Bikes
- Child-Safe Pool
- Heated Pool
- Tennis Court
- Bicycles Provided
- Games Room
- Indoor Games
- Outdoor Games
- Table Tennis
- Table Football
- DVD
Services Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Included
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Included
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
- Babysitting/childcare services
Extras available at this property:
- A daily 3 hour cleaning service of common areas (Monday-Friday) is included in the chateau rental (this does not extend to washing up). Washing up and cleaning of bedrooms and bathrooms can be included on request at additional cost.
- Bed/bath linen change included once a week
- A fantastic local chef is available to cater for breakfast and evening meals Please enquire for more details.
- Additional cleaning, babysitting and shopping service are also available. Please book these services at least a couple of weeks prior to your stay.
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests.
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
Event information
| Security deposit | €3000 paid to the owner by bank transfer or by cheque one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. only (later check-in on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner). |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €3000 paid to the owner by bank transfer or by cheque one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. only (later check-in on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner). |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
| Energy costs included? | Included except central heating (from October to April). |
| Linen & towels included? | All linen included in the rental price. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Extra €350, payable locally. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Changeover day | Saturday. All other changeover days on request. |
| Smoking Allowed? | No smoking. |
| Insurance | Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for cancellations, personal belongings, public liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay. |
| Other Ts and Cs | No groups under 25 allowed. No stag/hen parties allowed. Names and ages of customers must be sent to the owner before arrival. |
| Other Ts and Cs | The owner requires guests to sign a rental agreement prior to their arrival. |
| Tax | French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€4 per adult per night - please enquire if exact amount is required). |
| Other Ts and Cs | Pool heating is available until late-September. If needed in October, there will be an extra cost of 500€, payable locally, and cannot be guaranteed to go over 25 degrees Celsius. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. |
| Pets welcome? | Not allowed. |
| Minimum stay | 7 nights approximately June to end-August and Christmas, 4 nights during all other periods. |
| Other Ts and Cs | When the 10-person rate is booked the cottage is not available for guests to access. The cottage is only available to guests when the 14-person rate is selected. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that the maximum capacity permitted includes infants. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 10 people:
| Rental period | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22nd 2024 - Jan 4th 2025 | - | - | £8,588 |
| Jan 4th 2025 - May 3rd 2025 | £4,731 | £5,406 | £6,758 |
| May 3rd 2025 - Sep 13th 2025 | - | - | £8,760 |
| Sep 13th 2025 - Dec 15th 2025 | £4,731 | £5,406 | £6,758 |
| Dec 15th 2025 - Jun 25th 2026 | - | - | £8,760 |
Prices based on an occupancy of 14 people:
| Rental period | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 22nd 2024 - Jan 4th 2025 | - | - | £8,588 |
| Jan 4th 2025 - May 3rd 2025 | £5,256 | £6,007 | £7,509 |
| May 3rd 2025 - Sep 13th 2025 | - | - | £8,760 |
| Sep 13th 2025 - Dec 15th 2025 | £5,256 | £6,007 | £7,509 |
| Dec 15th 2025 - Jun 25th 2026 | - | - | £8,760 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Property Owner
Jean
How long have you owned the property?
More than 20 years.
What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
The Chateau has ...
Owner Profile
Property Owner
Jean
How long have you owned the property?
More than 20 years.
What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
The Chateau has always been in the family. It is very bright and have beautiful gardens. Between tennis, pool, golf, sailing and water ski the property was like a private club med during my summer holidays while I was growing up.
Are there any interesting stories in its history?
As it is 8 miles from Utah Beach, the house was fortunate not to have been bombed on D'Day during the WWII. It changed hands 9 times in 3 days so neither the Americans or the Germans knew who was inside at any given times.
Have you ever had any famous guests staying?
King James II of England in 1692.
For anyone coming to stay is there anything in the surrounding area they should...
Really do?
Watch the sunrise on the sea.
Really eat?
Oysters, Mussels, Local Lamb and Cream & Apples.
Really see?
Mt St Michel, La Hague, D-day beaches.
Lastly, what insider tip would you pass on about the property or the area?
It can be windy at times.
Reviews
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A wonderful old chateau
This is a wonderful old chateau lovingly maintained, spacious and light. It provided perfect and memorable accommodation for a three generation family holiday. We enjoyed really good weather so the excellent pool was heavily used and croquet and bike riding were popular with our members. The chateau and grounds are so peaceful and are very well located within the peninsula for visiting its attractions.
From the initial 'wow' factor to the last day all the family really enjoyed the memorable experience. -
Loved this historical home
Such a lovely, historical home! This is truly an authentic French stay. A stroll through the gardens is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. Loved this historical home.
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Beautiful
Really extraordinary to stay in a 17th century chateau -- even though many of its quirks were not easy to adjust to. The property is beautiful.
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Magnificent property
Would like to commend Oliver's Travels for my recent vacation in Normandy at Chateau Les Douves in Fontenay-sur-mer. The property was magnificent. The owner was there for arrival and departure and was most informative and helpful. The staff provided assistance as needed. Did I say the property was MAGNIFICENT, and its location was perfect? Well, it certainly was. I'd recommend this property to anyone interested.
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I would highly recommend it!
Château de Cource was lovely, beyond what we expected and we enjoyed a wonderful week there. The property is beautiful, full of antiquities with amazing gardens and a super swimming pool. Jean, the owner, was most helpful.
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Spectacular family holiday!
I really enjoyed this holiday with my children and grandchildren. The chateau was delightful and the availability of Chef to provide a excellent pre leaving meal was an advantage. She gets 5 stars for service and providing a delightful meal for us. Why 4 stars and not 5 overall?? For an older person the many stairs were a bit hard work plus the small bathroom en suite on the 1st floor a bit constricting. But the pool was delightful plus we found the tennis courts also much used by the children Although not a cyclist (at 85yrs old) my children found the cycles available not up to the standard young people demand from their bikes today so were unused. But overall a fabulous holiday- one we must repeat again
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Best Holiday ever!
What a wonderful home to stay in! Family owned, and family loved. We enjoyed our holiday in this beautiful castle very much. You can feel and see history everywhere. For the sports loving people there is a tennis court, a swimming pool, bikes etc. So, you have enough possibilities to change the calories you ate in the superb restaurants nearby into energy! Moreover, many interesting places (landing beaches, museums, charming villages etc. etc.) are just minutes away from the castle. The owner was very helpful and gave us a warm welcome. He even organized a cooked dinner for the first night and put some food in the fridge. We can definitely recommend this castle with its gorgeous garden, where you can even pick flowers for your table, for any history loving people. To cut a long story short: It is not the cheapest way to enjoy holidays but simply one of the best.
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Absolutely Wonderful
We had the pleasure of staying at the Chateau de Cource last year for a family re-union. There were 8 adults and 7 children, of which 6 were under 10 years old. Our stay was absolutely wonderful. The house is beautiful, standing amid expansive and very well maintained gardens, with plenty of spaces for the kids to play as well as a clean and accessible swimming pool. We had full use of the house and grounds and enjoyed learning about the history of the owner's family, the house and all its beautiful furniture from the owner, who met us and ensured that everything was perfect for our stay. There is a caretaker/gardener and family living adjacent to the house, which was very helpful on the few occasions when we lost our keys or needed access to some of the amenities. The kids thoroughly enjoyed roaming the grounds, playing tennis and spent much time in the pool.
The owner, also arranged for us to have the support of a wonderful cook to prepare family friendly and adult pleasing delicious meals every evening, including after dinner clean up and morning cleaning every day.
We spent our days enjoying the property and nearby villages as well as exploring the history and sites of the D-Day landings. The owner was extremely helpful and attentive in ensuring everything was perfect. -
All-time favourite holiday
We enjoyed one of our all-time favourite holidays at Chateau de Cource during the summer of 2016. It was pretty much like spending 14 blissful nights in an extraordinarily comfortable, divinely elegant, charming, characterful and fascinating museum. The property's long history is palpable, as if you can touch and breathe in the centuries. It’s absolutely somewhere you immediately settle in and don’t want to leave, made even more instantly relaxing by owner Jean, as gracious as he is entertaining. It’s also beautifully well-equipped: we spent countless hours in and by the pool, playing tennis at sunset, rowing in the moat, feeding the swans, walking the grounds, engaged in the kitchen preparing delicious local produce, and as much time again unwinding in the enchanting brick-vaulted lounge with a log fire for atmosphere. Locally, it’s fascinating: the Normandy beaches and dunes, alluring farmers’ markets and agricultural shows, museums a plenty, historic towns and quiet countryside that is at all times tranquil, even in the height of the season. Everything is half the price of the Cote D’Azur, yet twice as pleasant, so altogether four times better value. Of course we shall return.
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Understated, relaxed elegance in the Normandy countryside
A handful of close friends and I spent the most enjoyable and relaxing week at Chateau de Cource, a thoroughly charming and idyllic 17th century chateau located in the gorgeous Normandy countryside. Prepare to be transported to another time entirely; it did not take us long to appreciate the chateau's unique qualities and also its idiosyncrasies. If you are looking for a property with 5* amenities across the board, specifically perfectly updated bathrooms and kitchens, this may not meet your expectations. However, the opportunity to experience an historic, centuries owned, "grand family home" is special indeed. All of the rooms are elegant and ooze character and the pool, gardens, tennis court and moat (complete with 2 swans!) are like icing on the cake. The owner, Jean, could not have been more gracious, accessible and warm. He drove from Paris to meet us on arrival, gave us a thorough tour of the home and property and made sure we felt welcomed and comfortable. Jean checked in with us regularly (his english is excellent!) and was very pleased to answer any questions and make recommendations for local restaurants, markets and sightseeing excursions, all of which made the trip feel authentically french. A lovely housekeeper/cook is available to provide as much support as you desire --- she is an excellent cook and extremely pleasant. After long days of walking the coastline, exploring nearby towns, making the trip to Mount St. Michel and the D-Day Beaches, it was wonderful to return to delicious home cooked meals. We were sad when our week came to its end and we all have such fond memories of our time at Chateau de Cource!
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Most incredible time- living in a fairy tail for one week
This chateau is just a dream come true. The photos look nice but it is even more impressive in reality. We were lucky to find an available week and the booking process was very easy. Jean is just wonderful. He came from Paris to greet us on our arrival and explained everything and even introduced us to the local fishmonger.
The property is very well kept- the house and the gardens are always perfect. There are some gardener looking after the wonderful gardens and the Madame, who is looking after the Chateau is also a great cook. We, a group of friends with children, spent lovely hours at the pool and in the gardens and we all felt like little prince and princess. In the evening we enjoyed the delicious dinners, which were prepared for us and the evening ended with a digestive in one of the living rooms. All rooms are furnished with precious antiques and all bathrooms are equipped with high class facilities. Also the kitchen was a dream: Very atmospheric but with first class equipment.
The beach is near by and there are a lot of things to explore in the area.
We will definitely come back! We all felt so lucky to be able to stay in such a wonderful place and also felt very welcome and taken care of. I must admit, that absolutely all expectations were exceeded a lot. Chateau de Cource is definitely the greatest place I have stayed at.
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A beautiful chateau and gardens
We have stayed two years in a row at this idyllic house. It takes 300 years to get a well balanced house and garden. The in house chef made wonderful suppers of Normandy fare. The poll and tennis court allowed good exercise.
We'll placed to visit numerous historical sites and attractions. Would go every year.
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Truly amazing
We thoroughly enjoyed this house. It is beautifully furnished and in great condition. The grounds are spectacular. We have stayed in a number of other large houses in France, and this is by far the nicest. The owner's attention to detail throughout the house and grounds is impressive.
Our kids really enjoyed the pool, the nearby beach and Normandie in general. There is great shopping in a nearby village. And great wi-fi in the house.
This is a very relaxing and refreshing place to stay. -
A wonderful experience
This house and its garden are really a piece of art. It is a beautifully preserved stately country home with well laid out and developed gardens. The furnishings are of equal quality .
We benefited from Laurence who did a wonderful job preparing our suppers and assisting us in any needs we had.. The owner was also very helpful with any questions we had, even organizing typical Normandy cuisine.
We used the tennis courst and pool in the morning and saw the sites in the afternoon.
When renting a home there i some trepidation but this worked out far bettter than my best expectations. -
Authentic and lovely to visit
On reflection, bar the heating or lack of..
It is a chateau in Normandy it was clean, authentic and lovely to visit.
Jean made us very welcome and it was the first time he had leased the property
And a new experience for all
We all get so used to our mod cons,and it was lovely to step back in time.
Kind
regards
Jill
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