The gravel splashes high and our girls are screaming with pleasure. When we spot them, we see that they are together on a cool and sturdy pedal scooter. Or rather: one daughter paddles and steers while the other is standing on the back of the racing monster and clinging anxiously to her sister. Again, and again they make a tour of the site.
And that site is not exactly an amusement park as you might think, no, it is a majestic retreat in the Calvados region of Normandy in France. As we have the pleasure to be guests at Château d'Audrieu for three nights. Where many hotel castles mainly focus on couples, we are here in a place where families are welcomed with open arms. And that while Château d'Audrieu at the same time exudes a beautiful grandeur by which we are immediately impressed when we steer our car onto the long driveway: “Wow, are we going to sleep there? That is cool!”, it sounds enthusiastically from the backseat.
Art at arrival!
The history of this place goes back centuries. Originally, the lands belonged to the family of Percy. One of them, Guillaume de Percy was the personal cook of William the Conqueror and of whom it is said, knocked out some Saxons with skimmers during the battle of Hastings. The current Château was built in 1715 by the Séran family. While we absorb these centuries of heritage we are warmly welcomed by the staff. Before we check in, they offer us a delicious welcome drink: a local, non-alcoholic cider. While we recover from our car ride, we are enchanted by the beautiful surroundings. The Château d'Audrieu rejoices in a 50 acres park and 12 acres of gardens. They include a Jardin à la Française (French formal garden), “the white garden” (English garden), “the rose garden” and a vegetable garden. It all offers more than enough space for active children to romp around. One of the things that is immediately spotted and tried out is the ping pong table. Only after quite a few games we are ready to view our temporary accommodation. Here too our expectations are exceeded.
Father-Daughter challenge at the ping pong table
Our two rooms are in a separate annex just 10 meters from the main building. It turns out to be the gardener's old house. The layout is very convenient as the bedrooms are spread over two floors, each with its own bathroom and access via an outside staircase. Perhaps not very handy with small children, but our daughters love the feel of being ‘independent’. In total, the Chateau has 29 rooms and (junior) suites. They bear the names of people who have been important in the history of this stunning place.
As we explore the grounds further, our gaze soon falls on a huge tree house in an enormous tree. For those who really want to go all the way, this is the ultimate family hideaway. With a total surface area of 70 m², including a terrace, a bathroom with a bathtub, this treehouse offers an exceptional panorama of the Château and its grounds. An experience that combines luxury and unusual.
Another jump
Hidden in the extensive gardens is an outdoor pool heated at 26 ° C. The girls get a second wind and soon we are lying on wonderfully comfortable loungers, enjoying the sun while we take a refreshing dip every now and then. Special towels are available in the changing room as well as pool slippers that you can acquire at the reception. It is always wonderful to be able to cool down in a nice pool after a long day filled with activities.
In the culinary field, too, we must praise the Château d'Audrieu. To start with: as said, it has its own vegetable garden. On prior arrangement the Chef will take kids out here to sample ingredients for the evening meal. While doing so, they can meet and greet the donkeys ‘in residents’ Nono & Marguerite. We find ourselves incredibly lucky to enjoy a delicious dinner at Le Séran Restaurant. This restaurant contains three dining rooms on the ground floor. In the first dining room, a generous wine cellar with 600 bottles covers an entire wall between two doors. Chef Olivier Barbarin is a real genius and provides us with elegant and above all tasty dishes that even prompts our eldest daughter to ignore the children's menu. The desserts round out the feast and we are seriously considering ordering a second round of these sweet treats.
Candle light diner :-)
More than satisfied, we retire to our own little ‘villa’. The surroundings are so peaceful and quiet that we sleep like babies. In the morning we must even hurry to be in time for breakfast, while the timesot for that, is quite generous. When the weather is good, breakfast is served outside on the terrace. Delicious croissants with fresh Cappuccinos, local jams, eggs cooked to your liking, salmon, hot or cold chocolate milk for the girls, nothing is too much. For an aperitif or afternoon tea, we recommend visiting Bar «Le 1715» on the first floor. It is housed in a historical decor, with original oak paneling from the Abbaye de Juaye-Mondaye where in the blue and gold rooms, wines, champagnes, cocktails and aperitifs are served.
History all around us
Even though there is a lot to do on the extensive grounds of the Chateau, we also want to explore the wider area. For many people Normandy is synonymous with D day also known under its former code name: Operation Overlord. It was the Allied operation that launched the successful invasion of German-occupied Western Europe during World War II. The operation was launched on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings. A 1,200-plane airborne assault preceded an amphibious assault involving more than 5,000 vessels. Nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel on 6 June, and more than two million Allied troops were in France by the end of August.
There are multiple museums dedicated to this historical. The concierge pointed us to the Normandy Victory Museum in the town of La Fourchette as being the most interesting for kids. And he was rights as we had a wonderful afternoon. The museums strength is the number of exhibits and the detail that has gone into creating the atmosphere of June 1944 from both sides. And it is not just the military aspect they cover, but also the plight of the civilians. Visitors can interact with a small number of exhibits which especially children will enjoy. For example, sitting in a jeep of the period, or trying on helmets or handling authentic weapon. All the texts are translated in English which makes it a welcoming place for non-French speaking tourists. You can as well have a ride in an old English tank or becoming a true Plane or helicopter pilot with the Flight Simulator. The museum is based at what during the end of the war used to be a temporarily airbase for A10 attack planes. There is still one parked to be admired.
History buffs might also be attracted to the beautiful historical town of Bayeux which is close to the Chateau. Bayeux is best known for the Bayeux Tapestry. This amazing work depicts the story of William the Conqueror's invasion of England and the ensuing battle at Hastings. The “tapestry” is seventy meters long and fifty centimeters high. It is not a tapestry, but an embroidery.
Also, rather close by are two highly recommend zoos that certainly will enlighten animal loving kids. At the Zoo de Jurques you can get close to the animals as there are many viewpoints where you can peek into the enclosures which is great. There is also a wide variety of animals including white lions, white tigers, lynx, red pandas, monkeys and more. It all is very impressive and well worth the money. The Zoo of Cerza plays another triumph card as it allows for visitors to discover the job of a zookeeper. During the morning you will let animals go out of their houses, prepare food, feed them, etc. A memorable experience!
If you are more of a sporty type of family the Audrieu region is ideal for body boarding like our kids do. Or opt for horseback riding on the beaches of Normandy, kitesurfing, sand yachting and water sports, all are available for sea lovers. Upon request, the Château organizes a hot air balloon ride or a round of golf. They can even arrange for a cool helicopter ride. During a 40-minute flight you will make a low altitude flight over the D day beaches. With somewhat older children you could go out on an e-biking foodie tour. An idyllic bike tour around local specialties and tastings from a selection of local artisans such as a biscuit maker, oyster and snail farm, local ice-cream maker. This is the only food tour guaranteed 0 calories, as you pedal between each visit!
More low-key family-oriented activities on offer for example consist of a visit to a local cheese maker. A unique concept allowing visitors to discover cheese workshops through a corridor of glass protected galleries, from where visitors may understand all the different stages of cheese production from the time the milk arrives until the cheese is packaged. During a private visit you can sample different Norman cheeses with French baguette and a glass of cider.
WOW
# The staff are truly excellent — hardworking and dedicated to doing whatever it takes. We were impressed: the property is lovely, both inside and out.
# We love the feeling being in a fairy tale with knights and princesses. Walking in the park or in the gardens, playing pétanque or ping-pong, enjoy a tour on the property in a pedal scooter, swimming in the outdoor pool: you will never get bored at the Château d’Audrieu.
# The restaurant, Le Seran, offers a highly creative delicious menu for dinner and easily mixes something up for children.
# If you travel with a baby, the Chateau provides a “first necessity” service by arranging for things like a crib, changing table, bottle warmer and sterilizer, highchair, diapers, etc. And that of course saves a lot of dragging especially for the guests who travel to France by plane.
