Le Cormoran
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Stay in a historic bolthole in Normandy, part of a beautiful estate just a short cycle ride from the vast sandy coastline between Utah Beach and Quinéville.
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Overview
Stay in a historic bolthole in Normandy, part of a beautiful estate just a short cycle ride from the vast sandy coastline between Utah Beach and Quinéville.
This unique and wonderful hexagonal tower was once a pigeonnier – it’s incredible that over 2000 nesting holes have been cleaned, preserved and restored, to be admired from the top-floor master bedroom with its king-size double bed and copper round bath.
Le Cormoran dates back to the early 17th century and has undergone a remarkable restoration in recent years. Every care was taken to preserve as much original character as possible with exposed stone walls, intricate brickwork and traditional wood beams.
As you approach Le Cormoran, appreciate its aesthetic beauty within the estate – it has its own terrace area with table and chairs overlooking the vast gardens. Stairs lead up to the main entrance – step through the heavy wooden doors to an inviting living space with a large fireplace, dining area and open-plan side kitchen. Cleverly designed stairs curve up to the tower’s master bedroom on the very top floor with its distinctive charm and round bath tub standing to the side of the room.
Listen to the bells ring from the neighbouring church as you enjoy breakfast which can be delivered to your door. Relax on your table and chairs outside and soak up the beauty of the estate, also home to three separate rental homes (Manoir Cotentin, La Marine and Hippocampe). All four dwellings share the vast grounds with gardens, herbs, summer roses, stone ruins of an old château and a pond.
Make the most of the estate’s bikes and cycle to the beach for paddling in the English channel, swimming in the waves at high tide and admiring the colourful beach houses facing the sea. There’s also a restaurant serving good French food (look out for the kiosk often set up selling freshly harvested oysters too).
This coastline played an important role in WWII with memorials, bunkers and museums, especially around Utah Beach and Quinéville, both within a 10-minute drive. Sainte-Mère-Église is also nearby – as well as learning about its wartime role, pick up some delicious treats from the biscuit shop and enjoy the Thursday morning market.
Savour oysters or mussels in Barfleur, visit the Vauban Towers of Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue and Tatihou Island or venture further afield for days out at Mont Saint-Michel, Bayeux or even Deauville.
Return to your Normandy abode for an al-fresco feast of regional delicacies, accompanied by good local cider or calvados, as you embrace the rich heritage of this wonderful estate on the Cotentin peninsula.
Photography by Pascal Othlinghaus & Eric Sanders
What you should know…
- Guests need to be able safely manage the steep steps/stairs in this unique holiday home.
- Whilst a cot and highchair can be requested, the property is not suitable for crawling/toddling babies.
- When staying at Le Cormoran, you share the beautiful gardens/grounds with guests from the three neighbouring rentals, Manoir Cotentin (8 guests), La Marine (8 guests) and Hippocampe (6 guests).
- 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 pigeonnier ring at 7.00 a.m. and 10.00 p.m. (and every half hour inbetween 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
Property Interiors
Main Level (via steps)
- Entrance
- Open-plan seating and dining area with fireplace
- Open-plan kitchen
Upstairs (via curved, open-tread stairs)
- Open-plan bedroom with king-size double bed (180x200cm)
- Open-plan bathroom with round copper bath tub, overhead shower, sink and WC
There is also a lower floor/basement (via narrow spiral staircase) with a bedroom, however this is not available to guests.
Outside Grounds
- Terrace area with table and chairs
- Barbecue
- Bikes
- Shared access to parkland/estate with stone ruins, gardens, pond and canal
- Parking (near entrance of estate, a short walk)
Le Cormoran is a beautifully restored pigeonnier set within a large estate (also home to Manoir Cote...
| Nearest Ferry Port |
Cherbourg
(48km) |
| Nearest Train Station |
Carentant
(20km) |
| Nearest Airport |
Rennes Bretagne Airport/Paris CDG Airport
(210km/344km) |
Location
About the surrounding area of Le CormoranLe Cormoran is a beautifully restored pigeonnier set within a large estate (also home to Manoir Cotentin, La Marine and Hippocampe).
The estate is located on the Cotentin peninsula, part of La Manche department in Normandy, around 48km from the ferry terminal in Cherbourg and only 3.5km from the coast.
There is a tiny village around a 5-minute walk away with a French restaurant, tennis court, mini-golf and small shop (as always, seasonal restaurant opening dates can vary). The church right next to the estate atmospherically rings its bells from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. (and every half hour in between for a shorter time).
Cycle or drive along the country road and within 3.5km you will reach the sea, passing marshes, little canals and farmland en route. Take long walks and look out for the summer kiosk which is sometimes set up selling oysters overlooking the English channel. Within a short drive there is seasonal horse-riding along the beach, sand-yachting and golf.
The vast sandy beach, which played an important role in WWII, is backed by the coastal road that leads to Plage de Quinéville (9km) and its World War II Museum or south to Utah Beach (10km) and the Utah Beach Landing Museum. Across this stretch of coastline there are several WWII sites and memorials.
Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue (20km) is another picturesque gem of this coastline, so loved for its pretty marina, old houses and fish restaurants by the port. There are two Vauban Towers, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, one reached via walking around 2km south of the village, the other on Tatihou Island accessed via a boat with wheels which transports you across the oyster beds in low tide. Try more fresh oysters or seasonal mussels in Barfleur (27km), a charming seaside town with granite houses.
Back to WWII history, nearby Sainte-Mère-Église (6.5km) is one of the first villages to be liberated by Allied forces. Visit on a Thursday morning to experience its lovely market and pick up Normandy biscuits and other sweet treats at the Biscuiterie de Sainte-Mère-Église. Food lover also note that historic Valognes (18km) hosts a vibrant market on a Friday morning.
If exploring further afield, head north to the interesting maritime city of Cherbourg (48km) or venture south towards Bayeux (62km) and other iconic D-Day Landing Beaches including Arromanches-les-Bains (71km) and Omaha Beach (52km).
For more fantastic days out, you could even drive as far as La Côte Fleurie with its famous Belle Époque seaside resorts of Cabourg (124km) and Deauville (136km) or soak up the historic charm of Honfleur (155km). Not forgetting one of France’s most visited destinations, Mont Saint-Michel (141km), around a 90-minute drive from your Normandy holiday home.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Ferry Port |
Cherbourg
(48km) |
||
| Nearest Train Station |
Carentant
(20km) |
||
| Nearest Airport |
Rennes Bretagne Airport/Paris CDG Airport
(210km/344km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
In the village - seasonal opening
(Within 1km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Small village
(Within 500m) |
||
| 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 AgesLe Cormoran is not suitable for children due to its unique and many steps, historic features and overall quirky layout. A cot and highchair can be requested for a non-crawling baby if required.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- 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 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. |
| Changeover day | Any day except Sunday. |
| Minimum stay | 2 nights. |
| 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 is 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 - usually the estate would have to be rented exclusively (see Domaine de l’Église). Stag/hen parties are not allowed. |
| Other Ts and Cs | When staying at Le Cormoran you share the beautiful grounds with guests from the three neighbouring rentals, Manoir Cotentin (8 guests), La Marine (8 guests) and Hippocampe (6 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 2 people:
| Rental period | 2 Nights | 3 Nights | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 27th 2024 - Dec 20th 2024 | £602 | £798 | £993 | £1,188 | £1,579 |
| Dec 20th 2024 - Dec 21st 2024 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| Dec 21st 2024 - Dec 26th 2024 | £938 | £1,266 | £1,594 | £1,922 | £2,578 |
| Dec 26th 2024 - Dec 28th 2024 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| Dec 28th 2024 - Jan 6th 2025 | £938 | £1,266 | £1,594 | £1,922 | £2,578 |
| Jan 6th 2025 - Mar 28th 2025 | £602 | £798 | £993 | £1,188 | £1,579 |
| Mar 28th 2025 - Mar 31st 2025 | £723 | £957 | £1,191 | £1,426 | £1,895 |
| Mar 31st 2025 - Apr 29th 2025 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| Apr 29th 2025 - Apr 30th 2025 | £938 | £1,266 | £1,594 | £1,922 | £2,578 |
| Apr 30th 2025 - May 2nd 2025 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| May 2nd 2025 - May 12th 2025 | £938 | £1,266 | £1,594 | £1,922 | £2,578 |
| May 12th 2025 - May 16th 2025 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| May 16th 2025 - May 19th 2025 | £938 | £1,266 | £1,594 | £1,922 | £2,578 |
| May 19th 2025 - Jul 11th 2025 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| Jul 11th 2025 - Jul 14th 2025 | £938 | £1,266 | £1,594 | £1,922 | £2,578 |
| Jul 14th 2025 - Aug 13th 2025 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| Aug 13th 2025 - Aug 17th 2025 | £938 | £1,266 | £1,594 | £1,922 | £2,578 |
| Aug 17th 2025 - Sep 30th 2025 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| Sep 30th 2025 - Oct 30th 2025 | £602 | £798 | £993 | £1,188 | £1,579 |
| Oct 30th 2025 - Nov 2nd 2025 | £723 | £957 | £1,191 | £1,426 | £1,895 |
| Nov 2nd 2025 - Nov 7th 2025 | £602 | £798 | £993 | £1,188 | £1,579 |
| Nov 7th 2025 - Nov 11th 2025 | £723 | £957 | £1,191 | £1,426 | £1,895 |
| Nov 11th 2025 - Dec 19th 2025 | £602 | £798 | £993 | £1,188 | £1,579 |
| Dec 19th 2025 - Dec 20th 2025 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| Dec 20th 2025 - Dec 25th 2025 | £938 | £1,266 | £1,594 | £1,922 | £2,578 |
| Dec 25th 2025 - Dec 27th 2025 | £782 | £1,055 | £1,328 | £1,602 | £2,148 |
| Dec 27th 2025 - May 31st 2026 | £938 | £1,266 | £1,594 | £1,922 | £2,578 |
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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