Explore the area: Your Inspiration

Having Le Gîte des Violettes as your holiday home gives you the perfect base for exploring this part of magnificent France. Tucked away in the Deep South of Normandie, right on the edge of national park is this lovely holiday rental. We have put some photos of our favourite places to visit and details of things to do with children. Look at our blog for what to do with the dog!

Fosse Arthour

8km away is the most lovely network of rock formations, lake, rivers and forest to wonder through with children and dogs alike. The perfect place in the heat of the summer. It has some of the most beautiful views in the area.

Mont St Michel

The very famous landmark is just an hour's drive away through beautiful countryside. Well worth a visit. We went on a March day and were simply blown away.

(dogs aren't allowed in the Abbey)

Grand and Petit Cascades in Mortain

The sound of water roaring over rock. 15 minutes from the gite are two lovely cascades and accompanying landscape. Just to sit and listen is phenomenal. The large one is a 25m drop. Check out the Petite Chapelle whilst you're at Mortain.

The Enchanted Village

In Bellafontaine, 15 minutes from our holiday home is an enchanted village. You have to see it to believe it! Zip wires zig-zagging, inflatables floating.. The entry price is really fair and it's a great day out for families.

Theme parks:

There are some well known theme parks nearby.

Ange Michel (40 mins) has swimming and power boats, loads of rides, pony rides, trampolines, animals and much more.

Festyland is an hour away. With everything from gentle rides to the thrilling ones. Prepare to get wet as plenty of water rides, and the new dinosaur element is fantastic.

For the serious thrillers: Viaduct de la Souleuvre.

Boungy jumping from a viaduct, swinging on a giant swing and a 100km/h zipwire across the valley.

Bayeux Adventure Park

Including inflatable bubbles, zorbing, aquatic area and multisports.

Heritage:

Château Ducal in Caen was built by William the Conqueror. An impressive building, it is now home to the Normandie museum and fine art museum. Free entry is an added perk.

Château de Falaise is a grand castle, marking the birth place of William the Conqueror. During August there is a medieval festival which makes it even better to visit.

Domfront is a fortified and medieval town where you can walk amongst the ruins and see how houses have sprung up since. There is a cycle path from Domfront to Mont St Michel on a disused railway line.

Zoos:

Jurques Zoo is amazing and well worth a visit, 25km north of Vire.

Champrepus Zoo is also worth a visit.

Family fun:

Vire (20 minutes from les Violettes) has bowling, swimming, cinema, Lac de la Dathée- for walking, pedaloes, canoes and lying on a beach. Music every Wednesday in summer.

Le Neufbourg, near Mortain (15 minutes from les Violettes) has outdoor go Karting.

Flers (20 minutes from les Violettes) boasts an indoor karting track and mini golf.

Clécy is a lovely village (45 minutes from les Violettes) where you can Kayak, canoe, pedal, archery, walks and picnics. Right on the edge of the famous Suisse Normandie.

Brécey (30 minutes from les Violettes) has a lovely open air swimming pool which comes highly recommended! There is a lake to walk around and horse riding also.

Near Caen are the underground caves of Souterroscope. A spectacular experience.