You're almost there - in an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty!
Chez Norris

Our holiday cottage, or gite is near the village of Maisonscelles la Jourdan, close to Vire. Vire is in Calvados in Normandy, France. Calvados is famous for its cider and...calvados, and the surrounding area is equally famous for Camembert (and Pont l'Eveque, Livarot and other cheeses), William the Conqueror, the Bayeaux Tapestry, the World War 2 beaches and so much more. Mont St Michel is not far and Caen is 45 minutes away for a superb range of new and old shops. Golden sands at Granville and cascades at Mortain.

Pictures of our house are here - look around!

Buttons and links tell you all about our gite and the area.

FRENCH STYLE will entice you into the world of ... French style.

No, we haven't thought of a better name for our holiday cottage yet! We bought the gite several years ago and were very very lucky. We call it Credit Card Cottage. It has sat for centuries snuggly within a hectare of grass, looking over it's own little valley. Last century it was home to 19 refugees from Vire for a while as the Americans bombed the city flat.

Our part of Calvados, Normandy is near the Suisse Normand. Much of France is boringly flat - but we have it all! To the west of us is fairly flat across to the Channel Islands facing coast. To the south of us are cascades at Mortain, to the north the Vire Gorges, and to the east hills and lakes, rivers and ...

Our self-catering holiday gite or cottage couldn't be more perfect for us. You'll like it too whether for a week, two or more - or just a short break out of season for golf, shopping - or doing nothing!.

For winter, the back of the house is sheltered by hedges, the front of the house all windows are shuttered - and the log fire is blazing. Electric heaters in every room. For summer most rooms face south, large windows opening to the sun and fresh air. Outside is grass, a sort of stream (a bit like cats and the French really - it'll be what it wants to be when it wants to be), and our own tiny valley which we own to the stream near the bottom - and the view. Whatever the weather - the wine, the bread, the cheese, the company of friends is all you need. If self catering isn't for you there are many cafes and restaurants - even takeaways!

Prices at the bottom of each page

Can't wait to see inside? Use the At Gite button and choose 'Pictures' or click here

And where are we? Please click here for a map!

But is it available? Check our bookings calendar.

Our prices are at the bottom of the page and are inclusive of linen, towels, electricity, water, phone - even wood in winter. Imagine a cosy short break for golf, writing that book, learning that language ... Plus you get a little welcome pack to put a smile on your face when you arrive (just in case you're tired, or it's dark or - god forbid - raining!). Stay in our beautiful holiday cottage (or gite if you prefer). I wish I did!

Now explore!