Set in beautiful gardens of about 1.5 acres (0.5 hectare), this gite is in a peaceful, rural location surrounded by farmland. It is about 2.5 miles from Lonlay L'Abbaye - close enough to drive for your croissants and bread in the morning but far enough away to give a quiet, tranquil location. It is about 9 kms (5 miles) from the nearest large supermarkets in Domfront. The house is centuries old and is built of stone with thick walls and oak beams - cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The rooms are spacious and airy. The house faces south so it catches the sun's rays for most of the day. You can sit outside and bask in the sunshine as it reflects off the stone walls. (When the sun shines that is!) Birds flutter around in the trees in the garden and around the property; blue tits, sparrows, woodpeckers, buzzards circle overhead and owls hoot in the early morning. It's an idyllic base for touring around Normandy and Brittany - whether to the beaches, to go horse-riding, cycling, motorcycling, fishing or visiting the medieval villages in the area. The roads around here are lovely for motorcycling and we can offer secure, indoor parking for your motorbike or cycle.

I moved to France because I have always had an affinity with the country and the people - and it's such a big country with lots of space. I learned to speak French at school and have tried to maintain it over the years. La Longere is ideal for me; I enjoy the countryside and the garden and like having the space to grow my own vegetables and flowers, although it's a challenge keeping the grass cut! The locally produced food here in Normandy is well known - dairy products especially and the fresh food and vegetables in the local shops and supermarkets seem to taste so much better for some reason. The house and garden keep me fairly busy all day and sitting in the garden with a glass of wine in the evening seems a good way to end the day.

What does the neighbourhood have to offer? Lots of rural pursuits : horseriding, cycling, hiking, touring, fishing. A little further off towards Caen is Swiss Normandy where there are activities like bungy jumping at the Viaduc de Souleuvre, rock climbing, canoeing, etc. You don't have to go mad if you want a more relaxing holiday. The beaches are about an hour and a half away by car and of course there are the Normandy Beaches with the Memorial and military cemetaries to visit. As already mentioned, the roads are ideal for motorcycling and cycling with lovely views. There are picturesque walks and there are historical buildings, villages, and sites to visit. Lonlay L'Abbaye has an 11th Century abbey with its cider press nearby and Domfront is a medieval town built on a hill with a ruined castle built by the ancesters of William the Conqueror. Mont St Michel, Honfleur, Bagnols sur Orne, St Malo are only a short drive away. At La Ferte Macy - a town about 45 minutes away by car, there is a lake with a beach. History, scenery, country pursuits, fairly close to the beaches - lots of things to do if you want to do them or just sit and relax and listen to the bird song.