A gîte near Orbec for discovering the villages
of the Pays d’Auge
Orbec is best discovered on foot: timber-framed façades, narrow lanes and all the details of a small old town. Le Hameau des Prés-Verts is about thirty-five minutes’ drive away, at Les Champeaux, in the Orne. You can stay for a few days and set aside an outing for this heritage, just across the border in Calvados.
Our two separate houses welcome up to 6 people at Reinette Grise and up to 4 at the Chalet Normand. Both have a fitted kitchen and accept pets.
Taking the time to wander through Orbec
The rue Grande and its old façades
A stroll through Orbec lets you take in the timber frames, the varied building materials and the small details of each house. Leave time for the side streets and the viewpoints in the centre. A walk around town fills half a day nicely, perhaps followed by lunch or another stop nearby.
The Vieux Manoir and the heritage of the centre
The Vieux Manoir museum and the church of Notre-Dame can round off your visit, depending on their opening arrangements. Before setting off, check with the tourist office to see which places are open on your dates and which route suits the time you have.
The old houses are also people’s homes: enjoy the heritage from the streets and public spaces, and respect private property as you walk.
Discovering Orbec on a Wednesday morning
The market is held on Wednesday mornings in the rue Grande. It lets you combine a little shopping with your walk. You can take some produce back to the gîte, then spend the afternoon at the house or out walking in the bocage (hedged farmland).
If you would like to go on somewhere else, choose a route that makes sense and check the driving times. Being close on the map is no substitute for the time you need to enjoy each stop.
Coming home to a house with character
At Reinette Grise, the half-timbering and the beams let you live with this architecture throughout your stay. The house has two bedrooms, including a master suite, as well as a large private garden.
The Chalet Normand has a more contemporary feel, with an open-plan living space and two bedrooms, one leading into the other. Its heated pool is reserved for its guests during the season. Solo travellers and couples can book either house, whichever appeals most.
Arranging your accommodation near Orbec
The Hameau is at 1258 chemin des Manis, 61120 Les Champeaux. Orbec is reached by road; plan on having a car for visits and shopping. Free parking is available on site.
To vary your days, you might also plan a trip to Lisieux, a visit to the cheese dairies or a walk around Les Champeaux. Check availability to choose the length of your stay.