Hippocampe
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Overview
Once the stables of a 17th century manoir, Hippocampe is a wonderful holiday home on the Cotentin peninsula just a short cycle ride from the beach and close to several important WWII sites in Normandy.
Step into the warm and cosy living space with traditionally tiled flooring, comfortable seating, a rustic dining table and an open-plan modern kitchen. There is an authentically charming ambience throughout with many nods to the past with its horse themed décor. French windows open out to a pretty terrace area for al-fresco meals accompanied by the sounds of church bells and bleating sheep.
Follow the sensitively designed staircase to the upper floor for three lovely bedrooms including an especially romantic double with a canopied bed, lofty ceilings and a bath tub alongside two further en suite bedrooms (one double, one double or twin). With elegant interiors, Hippocampe comfortably sleeps up to 6 guests.
This inviting home is located in the south-wing of Manoir Cotentin and also part of the same beautiful estate as neighbouring La Marine and the old pigeonnier, Le Cormoran. Whilst the former stables has its own terrace area, the vast grounds are otherwise shared between all four dwellings – stroll around the old château ruins, admire summer lavender and roses, seek solitude by the pond and relax across the English and French-style gardens.
The old church regularly chimes its bells next door and just a little further there is a small village. Make the most of the estate’s bikes and cycle to the beach, just 3.5km away, to paddle or swim in the waves of the English channel at high tide. It’s a lovely spot with colourful beach houses facing the sea.
Across this stretch of coastline, discover summer horse-riding on the beach, sand-yachting in Utah, golf with a sea view and a wealth of WWII memorials and sites. Utah Beach and its Landing Museum is only 10km by car whilst Plage de Quinéville’s World War II Museum is also within a short drive. Slightly inland, Sainte-Mère-Église, the first village to be liberated by Allied forces, is just over 7km away.
Enjoy a wealth of Normandy experiences. Try local oysters overlooking the marina in Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue or freshly harvested mussels in Barfleur, both picturesque coastal villages nearby. A little further afield, soak up the summer ambience of Barneville-Carteret, take a boat trip from Granville or even venture as far as Mont Saint-Michel, one of the most visited destinations in France.
Photography by Pascal Othlinghaus & Eric Sanders
What you should know…
- Hippocampe is the former stables of Manoir Cotentin (the home is located in the south-wing of the manoir).
- Neighbouring La Marine (8 guests) and Le Cormoran (2 guests) are also part of the historic estate - all four dwellings share the beautiful gardens/grounds.
- The full estate can also be rented exclusively - please see Domaine de l’Église.
- As is often traditional in France, the village church bells next to the estate ring at 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. (and every half hour in between for a shorter period).
- Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking.
- Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager.
Property Features
House Interiors (120m2)
Ground Floor
- Open-plan lounge and dining area with doors opening out to terrace area with table and chairs
- Open-plan kitchen
Upstairs (some sloping ceilings)
- Bedroom with queen-size double bed (160x200cm) and open en suite bathroom
- Bedroom with queen-size double bed (160x200cm) and en suite bathroom
- Bedroom with twin beds (80x200cm each, can be joined as a double) and en suite bathroom
Outside Grounds
- Terrace area with table and chairs
- Barbecue
- Bikes
- Shared access to parkland/estate with stone ruins, gardens, pond/canal (with rowing boat)
- Parking (near entrance of estate, a short walk)
Location
About the surrounding area of HippocampePart of a historic estate, Hippocampe is located on the Cotentin peninsula around a 40-minute drive from Cherbourg ferry terminal. This domaine is also home to Manoir Cotentin, Le Cormoran and La Marine – all four dwellings share the beautiful grounds.
There is a village a short walk away with a restaurant, shop and another restaurant on the other side of the village (as always, seasonal opening dates of local restaurants can vary). Even closer, right next to the estate, is a traditional church with bells ringing from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. (and every half hour in between for a shorter time).
Make the most of the estate’s bikes or drive to the beach, only 3.5km away passing farmland and waterways en route. In the summer look out for a kiosk that is sometimes set up selling fresh oysters overlooking the sea and there is a French restaurant. The coast seems endless, especially at low tide, but when the tide comes in it’s fun to paddle or even swim in the waves of the English channel. There’s a little playground by the beach and colourful beach houses, adding to the overall charm.
This area is home to many war memorials and important WWII sites across the coast and countryside. Plage de Quinéville and the World War II Museum is just 9km away whilst Utah Beach and its fascinating museum is around a 10-minute drive heading south. The village of Sainte-Mère-Église (6.5km) is also nearby, one of the first villages to be liberated in 1944. Sainte-Mère-Église hosts a pretty market on a Thursday morning – food-lovers would also appreciate a trip to the Biscuiterie de Sainte-Mère-Église.
Drive to Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (20km) for fresh oysters in one of the restaurants overlooking the marina. There’s two Vauban Towers near here, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, one on the mainland just south of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and one on Tatihou Island reached via an amphibious boat which travels across the oyster beds at low tide. Barfleur (27km) is another picture-perfect spot for lunch, famed for its moules-frites using freshly harvested mussels from the English channel (when in season).
The maritime city of Cherbourg (48km) is an interesting day out or venture to the western side of the peninsula to spend time in Barneville-Carteret (44km) or Granville (85km). Historic Bayeux (62km) could perhaps be combined with other iconic D-Day Landing beaches such as Omaha (52km) and Arromanches-les-Bains (71km) or travel further afield to Mont Saint-Michel (141km), a remarkable sight and one of France’s most visited loved destinations.
Local Amenities | |||
---|---|---|---|
Nearest Ferry Port |
Cherbourg
(48km) |
||
Nearest Train Station |
Carentant
(20km) |
||
Nearest Airport |
Rennes Bretagne Airport/Paris CDG Airport
(210km/344km) |
||
Nearest Village |
Small village
(Short walk ) |
||
Nearest Restaurant |
In the village - seasonal opening
(Within 1km) |
||
Nearest Beach |
(3.5km) |
||
Nearest Supermarket |
Just outside Sainte-Mère-Église
(7.5km) |
||
Nearest Town |
Valognes
(18km) |
||
Nearest Golf |
Golf Utah Beach
(7km) |
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 AgesChildren are welcomed at the estate and a cot and highchair are available. The Cotentin peninsula is a fantastic area for a family holiday with long stretches of coastline, pretty villages and a wealth of important WWII sites.
The vast sandy beach is 3.5km away and backed by a little playground and colourful beach houses. Even closer, the local village has a tennis court, small play area and mini-golf.
This region offers a variety of activities such as sand-yachting, horse-riding, pony rides, tennis and a range of interesting WWII museums including Utah Beach Landing Museum, World War II Museum and the D-Day Experience war museum.
Families will enjoy a trip on the amphibious boat from Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue that crosses the oyster beds in low tide to reach the wonderful Tatihou Island, a protected site with its Vauban Tower, maritime museum, bird reserve and botanical gardens.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Kid-friendly museum
- Kid-friendly excursions
- Water excursions/Boat trips
- Beach Nearby
- Walk to Village
- Watersports
- Tennis Nearby
- Cycling
- Horse Riding
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Bicycles Provided
Services Available
- Breakfast Available
- Maid Service Available
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Breakfast Available
- Maid Service Available
- Meal Ordering Service Available
- Massage Services Available
- Yoga Services Available
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
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
- Maid service
- Breakfast delivery
- Meal ordering
- Yoga
- Massage services
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!
Security deposit | €1500 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
Departure time | 11.00 a.m. Later check-out may be possible on a Sunday - please enquire. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
Security deposit | €1500 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
Departure time | 11.00 a.m. Later check-out may be possible on a Sunday - please enquire. |
Energy costs included? | Yes. |
Linen & towels included? | Yes. |
End of stay cleaning included? | Yes, standard changeover clean included. 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. |
Minimum stay | 2 nights. |
Changeover day | Any day except Sunday. |
Insurance | Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for cancellations, loss of personal belongings, personal liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay. |
Tax | French Visitors Tax included. |
Pets welcome? | Dogs welcome on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, a pet supplement of €20 per pet per stay will apply (payable locally). |
Smoking Allowed? | Not allowed. |
Other Ts and Cs | Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking. |
Other Ts and Cs | Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager. |
Other Ts and Cs | A cot and highchair are available on request. |
Other Ts and Cs | Weddings are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges - the estate would usually have to be rented exclusively (see Domaine de l’Église). Stag/hen parties are not allowed. |
Other Ts and Cs | When staying at Hippocampe you share the beautiful grounds with guests from the three neighbouring rentals, Manoir Cotentin (8 guests), Le Cormoran (2 guests) and La Marine (8 guests). Please see 'What You Should Know' for links to each property. |
Beach towels included? | No, please bring your own. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 6 people:
Rental period | 2 Nights | 3 Nights | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov 27th 2024 - Dec 20th 2024 | £902 | £1,195 | £1,488 | £1,781 | £2,367 |
Dec 20th 2024 - Dec 21st 2024 | £1,171 | £1,580 | £1,989 | £2,399 | £3,218 |
Dec 21st 2024 - Dec 26th 2024 | £1,413 | £1,905 | £2,396 | £2,887 | £3,861 |
Dec 26th 2024 - Dec 28th 2024 | £1,171 | £1,580 | £1,989 | £2,399 | £3,218 |
Dec 28th 2024 - Jan 6th 2025 | £1,413 | £1,905 | £2,396 | £2,887 | £3,861 |
Jan 6th 2025 - Mar 28th 2025 | £902 | £1,195 | £1,488 | £1,781 | £2,367 |
Mar 28th 2025 - Mar 31st 2025 | £1,083 | £1,434 | £1,786 | £2,137 | £2,841 |
Mar 31st 2025 - Apr 29th 2025 | £902 | £1,312 | £1,721 | £2,130 | £3,218 |
Apr 29th 2025 - Apr 30th 2025 | £1,405 | £1,896 | £2,387 | £2,878 | £3,861 |
Apr 30th 2025 - May 2nd 2025 | £1,171 | £1,580 | £1,989 | £2,399 | £3,218 |
May 2nd 2025 - May 12th 2025 | £1,405 | £1,896 | £2,387 | £2,878 | £3,861 |
May 12th 2025 - May 16th 2025 | £1,171 | £1,580 | £1,989 | £2,399 | £3,218 |
May 16th 2025 - May 19th 2025 | £1,405 | £1,896 | £2,387 | £2,878 | £3,861 |
May 19th 2025 - Jul 11th 2025 | £1,171 | £1,580 | £1,989 | £2,399 | £3,218 |
Jul 11th 2025 - Jul 14th 2025 | £1,405 | £1,896 | £2,387 | £2,878 | £3,861 |
Jul 14th 2025 - Aug 13th 2025 | £1,171 | £1,580 | £1,989 | £2,399 | £3,218 |
Aug 13th 2025 - Aug 17th 2025 | £1,405 | £1,896 | £2,387 | £2,878 | £3,218 |
Aug 17th 2025 - Sep 30th 2025 | £1,171 | £1,580 | £1,989 | £2,399 | £3,218 |
Sep 30th 2025 - Oct 30th 2025 | £902 | £1,195 | £1,488 | £1,781 | £2,367 |
Oct 30th 2025 - Nov 2nd 2025 | £1,083 | £1,434 | £1,786 | £2,137 | £2,841 |
Nov 2nd 2025 - Nov 7th 2025 | £902 | £1,195 | £1,488 | £1,781 | £2,367 |
Nov 7th 2025 - Nov 11th 2025 | £1,083 | £1,434 | £1,786 | £2,137 | £2,841 |
Nov 11th 2025 - Dec 19th 2025 | £902 | £1,195 | £1,488 | £1,781 | £2,367 |
Dec 19th 2025 - Dec 20th 2025 | £1,171 | £1,580 | £1,989 | £2,399 | £3,218 |
Dec 20th 2025 - Dec 25th 2025 | £1,413 | £1,905 | £2,396 | £2,887 | £3,861 |
Dec 25th 2025 - Dec 27th 2025 | £1,171 | £1,580 | £1,989 | £2,399 | £3,218 |
Dec 27th 2025 - May 31st 2026 | £1,413 | £1,905 | £2,396 | £2,887 | £3,861 |
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.
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