If you love gardens as much as rural settings, choose a “gîte au jardin” for that country weekend (or longer!), only a couple of hours away from Paris, deep in the Normandy countryside.

The Gîtes de France special booklet gives details of 46 self-catering cottages and B&Bs, every one noted particularly as a “gîte au jardin” according to very strict criteria. Guests staying in a “gardeners’ B&B” can expect high quality accommodation overlooking a dream garden, where ornamental trees and flowers mix happily with fruit trees and vegetables, perhaps even some free range hens and animals. And, if you like, you can enjoy a personal tour of the garden – perhaps exchange gardening tips with the enthusiastic owner! - and get recommendations on local parks and gardens not to be missed. Don’t wait for the summer! Whether just for a night, a weekend or even a week, come and experience the warm welcome and the gardening flair of these amazing hosts.

3 types of accommodation

A “gîte rural” – a self-catering, furnished country cottage, that can usually be rented for a week, a mid-week period, a weekend or even several weeks.

A “chambre d’hôtes” - a luxurious B&B. In some cases, the hosts also offer “table d’hôtes” – dinner with the family: the best way to discover French home cooking!

A “gîte de groupes” – accommodation with the capacity to take a group of, say, ramblers or horse-riders.

For more information, contact Gîtes de France at
www.gites-de-france-normandie.com