Home-pagina-eng | Le Vert Buisson

In rural Calvados, not far from the Normandy coast, is a handsome old farmhouse. Le Vert Buisson stands with its back to the wind on a six acre property and has a beautiful cour facing south. There are stables and a large open barn, a vegetable garden and a small orchard. It was the first house we saw. And it was perfect for what we wanted: a B&B in the Normandy countryside.

Prices 2020

We have settled in nicely and feel completely at home in Normandy. And ‘we’ are:

Martijn (1964) – Knows how to plan and execute building projects | Keeps an eye on the financial and administrative side of things | Enjoys exploring the backroads of Normandy on his Harley.
Anna (1967) – Loves being outdoors more than anything else | Writes, blogs and translates for work and fun | Enjoys cooking and is remarkably keen on boeuf bourguignon for someone who isn’t too keen on meat.

B&B

There are four spacious rooms on the first and second floor of the house. Each has a private bathroom, a comfortable seating area and plenty of closet space (in it you will find extra covers/duvets and a blow dryer). There also is an electric kettle, a nespresso coffee machine and a small fridge. WiFi is free of charge. We serve breakfast and dinner in our kitchen, the heart and soul of the house. There is a lovely seating area in front of the house, great for eating outside if the weather allows. But this is Normandy. One does not make promises about the weather here.

Table d’hôtes
We enjoy cooking and entertaining, and would love you to join us at our dinner table. On Tuesdays and Thursdays we prepare a three or four course meal with all the trimmings. On Saturdays we keep it simple: honest pub food with no frills. Local products only! That is, eggs from our chickens, vegetables and fruit from the garden. And cheese, meat and fish from village markets in the area.

Room 177 – second floor – 2 people – 24 m2
Prices 2020
Reservations

The smallest room we have is not actually that small, but it is the cutest. Everything fits, including two comfy chairs. It is possible to turn the double bed (boxspring 160 x 200) into two singles, but we do not recommend it, unless you don’t mind sleeping in a narrow bed.

Room 181 – second floor – 2 to 4 people – 40 m2
Prices 2020
Reservations

When we were busy renovating the house we used to call this room our ‘the bridal suite’. The bedroom looked very romantic even then, in spite of the dust and the cobwebs and the lack of insulation… There is a double bed (boxspring 180 x 200) that can be separated into two single beds. The sofa in the living room is easily converted to a comfortable double bed (140×200).

Room 106 – first floor – 2 people – 28 m2
Prices 2020
Reservations

We are quite pleased with the calm and relaxed atmosphere in the room. It’s very pleasant. There is more than enough room for two people to retreat and relax with a book or a glass of wine. Or, beter yet, both. There is a double bed (boxspring 180 x 200) or two single beds, whichever you prefer.

Room 129 – first floor – 2 to 4 people – 50 m2
Prices 2020
Reservations

Our presidential suite, we like to call it, for the sheer size of it. Our first apartment together in Amsterdam was about the same size, but it certainily wasn’t as grand. There is a double bed (boxspring 180 x 200) or two singles in the bedroom. The sofa in de living room is easily converted to a comfortable double bed (140×200).

Icoon. Lijntekening van een kaart met gebouw.

The house

Le Vert Buisson is an old farmhouse built in 1764, with outbuildings. Owners before us have taken good care of it, but the house needed some serious modernization. (And insulation. Our first winter here was a bit of a challenge.) That is all sorted now, but we have made sure to keep to the rugged charm of the house intact.

Le Vert Buisson stands with its back to the wind on a six acre property. We have all sorts of plans for the grounds, but we are not in a hurry. So far we have created a small vegetable garden and a large enclosure for our six chickens, as well as a small greenhouse in the back of the garden. Everything that is produced there ends up in the kitchen. Except the chickens themselves.

The ‘cour’ in front of the house faces south. It is mostly shielded from the wind and an ideal place for breakfast, drinks or dinner on sunny summer days.

In the area

Le Vert Buisson is located exactly right for people who want to explore Calvados and Manche. Friendly villages with a weekly market, several restaurants and a supermarket are just an easy 15-minute drive away. Le Molay-Littry, Isigny-sur-Mer and Trévières, to name a few. Within half an hour you could be in Bayeux, Sainte-Mère-Église or on one of the D-Day landing beaches. And it will take about an hour to drive to the old centre of Avranches, the west coast of Manche or Chateau de Falaise, once the home of William the Conqueror. Just to give you a few ideas. Click on the photos for more.

Active

Normandy is a great part of the world for many reasons. Two of those reasons we find particularly attractive. And people who enjoy being active outside will no doubt agree.

Rugged terrain, rolling hills and endless coastal stretches. Even at peak season there are many ways to avoid the crowds.
Summers are benign and warm – rather than scorchingly hot. Ideal for exploring the area on your bike or hiking.

Cyclists, hikers and golfers will find what they are looking for in Calvados and Manche. Take your family for a pleasant stroll in nature or do some serious endurance training. Or whatever takes your fancy.

Looking for ways to be active outside? Click on the photos for some ideas.