Christian Holiday Farmhouse, Normandy

Christian Holiday Farmhouse, Normandy — A Retreat Near Villedieu-les-Poêles

St. Martin Farmhouse is a genuine Christian holiday farmhouse, Normandy, break: a rustic farmhouse deep in the Manche countryside, run at cost as a place of retreat and refreshment specifically for clergy and church workers, with no profit taken on the property at all. Comfortably sleeping nine across five bedrooms and three bathrooms, with a large garden, playroom and barn play area, it’s an easy, unfussy base for exploring the wider Christian holidays in France, close to the market town of Villedieu-les-Poêles and within reach of Mont St Michel and St Malo. The charm here is simplicity: birdsong, rustling trees, and a good book on the terrace with a glass of something French.

Villedieu-les-Poêles, ten minutes away, has one of Normandy’s more unusual histories. Its name literally means “God’s Town of the Pans”: founded in the 12th century by the Knights Hospitaller, better known as the Knights of Malta, the town enjoyed almost 500 years of independence from any king, lord or bishop, answerable only to the Pope. That freedom let its coppersmiths flourish undisturbed, and the trade still defines the town today; the Cornille-Havard foundry, in operation since 1865, has cast bells for churches across France, including Notre-Dame in Paris. Locals are still nicknamed “Sourdins,” after generations of coppersmiths deafened by the hammering.

Avranches, a little further on, holds two very different treasures. In the Basilica of Saint-Gervais lies a relic venerated for centuries as the skull of Saint Aubert, the 8th-century bishop said to have founded Mont St Michel after the Archangel Michael appeared to him in a dream, pressing a finger into his head to make his point; the skull still bears the mark. Nearby, the Scriptorial museum houses the medieval manuscripts rescued from Mont St Michel’s abbey during the Revolution, their calligraphy and illumination dating from the 8th to the 15th centuries, offering a quieter, more contemplative counterpart to the Mont itself.

Avranches has more recent history too. In late July and early August 1944, the town gave its name to the “Avranches Gap,” the breakthrough that let General Patton’s Third Army pour out of the Normandy bocage and begin the sweep that would liberate France; a memorial to Patton still stands in the town today. Between the Normandy landing beaches an hour away and this quieter breakout site closer to home, the area rewards those wanting to understand the fuller story of the Battle of Normandy, not just its beaches.

Closer to the farmhouse, Brecey and Villedieu both have outdoor and indoor pools, with a pleasant lake walk at Brecey, and Cherence le Héron covers day-to-day essentials just three minutes away. Villedieu itself has a good market, tourist information and car charging for those bringing an electric vehicle, and Avranches offers a fuller range of shops for a bigger provisions run. The farmhouse itself asks only for a contribution towards running costs, with reductions available for clergy and church workers, in keeping with its purpose as a genuinely restful, affordable retreat for fellow ministers and their families.

Perfect for:

Clergy and church workers, run at cost as a genuine place of retreat
Large or extended families, sleeping nine across five bedrooms
History lovers, with Villedieu’s Knights of Malta past and Avranches’ relics nearby
Those interested in the fuller story of the Battle of Normandy, beyond the beaches
Families with young children, thanks to a playroom, stair gate and barn play area
Quiet, unhurried breaks, with birdsong and rustling trees the loudest sound around
Dog owners, with well-behaved dogs (and their owners) welcome
Anyone drawn to genuinely affordable retreat accommodation run entirely with no profit margin

Location

St. Martin Farmhouse, La Trainiere, St Martin Le Bouillant, Villedieu les Poeles 50800, France.

How to get here: Fly to Dinard and rent a car. Or Ferry to St Malo / Cherbourg / Caen (45 mins/75 mins/60mins drive). Ferry to Dieppe then 3 hrs drive. Or to Eurotunnel / Calais then 4 hour drive.

Nearest Town: Villedieu Les Poeles, Brecey, Avranches, St Malo

Facilities

St. Martin Farmhouse is a beautiful rustic farmhouse in the middle of the Normandy countryside, it is ideal for young and extended families. Comfortably sleeps 9 adults.

It has five bedrooms (2 king, I double, 1 twin, 1 single) and easily accommodates 9 people plus 2 travel cots. 3 bathrooms one of which is an ensuite.

It has everything a young family could need including a stair gate, high chairs, travel cots, bed guards, playroom, large garden with play area in barn.

The charm of the property is its tranquil location; while sitting reading your novel and sipping a glass of Chablis all you can hear is the birds singing and the trees gently rustling in the wind.

We hope you will come and stay here and enjoy the peacefulness of the rural setting and the charm of the house and its grounds. We ask you to bring your linen – we can give you bed dimensions to aid this! Please also bring your own towels.

TV (Sky UK Freesat), DVD player and many DVDs, BBQ, Big farmhouse kitchen, 1 acre of grounds.

Additional Photos

Click to enlarge

A rustic Normandy kitchen with stone walls, wooden table and chairs, white cupboards, a cooker, sink, and open shelves evokes the charm of a classic Christian holiday farmhouse. Warm lighting and a tiled floor add to the cosy atmosphere.

Cosy living room with teal walls, wood-burning stove in a corner alcove, old-fashioned television on a wooden stand, sofa with beige cushions, large mirror, and wooden coffee table—evoking the charm of a Normandy Christian holiday farmhouse.

Cosy bedroom in a Normandy Christian holiday farmhouse with a wooden bed, green bedding, white chair, green bedside table, and a stone fireplace. A mirror and artwork decorate the white walls. Warm lighting creates a homely ambience.

A bathroom inspired by a Christian holiday farmhouse in Normandy, featuring a toilet, glass shower, wooden floor, blue walls, seashell decor, a white lantern, and a slanted ceiling with a skylight.

Two single beds with striped bedding are placed against white walls, separated by a small wooden bedside table with a lamp. Framed artwork hangs above each bed, evoking the charm of a Normandy Christian holiday farmhouse. A ceiling light fitting is partially visible.

A cosy living room with teal walls evokes the charm of a Normandy Christian holiday farmhouse, featuring a wood-burning stove, black corner sofa, wooden coffee table, television on a stand, round mirror, and exposed wooden beams on the ceiling. Warm lighting creates a comfortable atmosphere.

A rustic kitchen in a Normandy farmhouse, with a stone wall, wooden table and chairs, a pale cupboard with crockery and glasses, a bench, a clock on the wall, and a basket in an alcove. A cooker and fire extinguisher are also visible—creating the perfect setting for gathering during a Christian holiday.

Colourful playroom with a jungle-themed wall mural, various toys, a rocking horse, toy storage bins, and shelves. The floor has green carpet resembling grass, evoking the fresh countryside of Normandy, while the cheerful and playful atmosphere hints at the warmth of a Christian holiday farmhouse.

A cosy bedroom with a white metal bed, pink bedding, and pillows evokes the charm of a Normandy farmhouse. There’s a small blue bedside table with books and a lamp, light curtains on a window, white walls, and a rustic wooden floor—perfect for relaxing after celebrating a Christian holiday.

A rustic Normandy kitchen with a stone wall, a gas cooker, shelves holding pots and pans, and a cupboard with crockery, glasses, and a kettle evokes the charm of a Christian holiday farmhouse. A fire extinguisher is mounted on the wall.

Cosy attic bedroom with a black metal bed, stone feature wall, vintage chair, and two rooflight windows. Red patterned rug and wooden beams complete the rustic decor, evoking the charm of a Normandy Christian holiday farmhouse.

A cosy bedroom in a Normandy Christian holiday farmhouse with two single beds, striped bedding, a wooden ceiling, a green chair by a window seat, a framed picture on the wall, and sunlight brightening the space through a window.

Small blue bathroom with a toilet, white sink cupboard, shower with frosted glass, skylight window, and wooden floor—evoking the inviting charm of a Normandy farmhouse perfect for a Christian holiday retreat. A blue rug and waste bin are on the floor, while toiletries rest neatly on shelves and inside the shower.

Costs

£750 p/w June – mid July & September
£950 p/w End July & August.

We offer reductions for clergy and church workers – please enquire.

We minimise our charges to cover running costs – insurance, utilities, taxes, repairs and cleaning – we make no profit on the property and seek to make it available to fellow clergy and church workers as a place of retreat and refreshment.

Energy Provision: All inclusive! (But please no car charging – we can give you information about locations for charging).

Availability

Available June – September.

Arrival and Departure times: Arrival from 4, departure by 11

Booking arrangements: Usually Saturday to Saturday but open to negotiation.

Pets: well behaved dogs (and owners!).

Contact the Owner

If you are interested in making a booking, or you would like further information, please get in touch using the following details:

Name: Matthew Buchan

Phone Number: 07411 405138

Email Address: frstag@hotmail.co.uk

St. Martin Farmhouse, St Martin Le Bouillant, Villedieu les Poeles, France