Cidre, Crêpes et Cottages: foodie gîte breaks in Normandy and Brittany
Sawday's Expert
5 min read
From Normandy to Brittany, across the stretch of France’s north-western edge, there’s a menu that has been savoured for centuries – crêpes and galettes, cidre and calvados, and shellfish. We’ve spoken to our community of gîte owners about the best markets to find the sweetest oysters, the ports with the freshest langoustine for your barbeques, and the villages with the crispest cider. We’ve also picked out five of our favourite gîtes in Normandy and Brittany for a holiday to indulge in the region’s foodie delights. Read on for our community’s recommendations.
Le Sémaphore de Lervily, Finistère, Brittany
This former lighthouse keeper’s cottage is a lovely retreat, with a kitchen fit for chefs and a panorama from every window. Bring back croissants from nearby Esquibien or head to the seaside port of Audierne for its twice weekly market. In the evening, rest up after exploring miles of rugged coastline and dunes on the sofa beneath the great glass roof and raise a glass of cider to the stars.
Owner’s tip from Jean-Yves Huitric:
Audierne is a working fishing harbour with amazing seafood. It is famous in France for its seabass caught by line in the treacherous waters. Local fishermen also catch plenty of crabs, lobsters and langoustines which you can buy at the Saturday market.
La Brocanterie, Manche, Normandy
Would-be chefs will be delighted on finding the kitchen at this old farmhouse fully equipped with everything the modern cook could want. During summer, you can head down to the open-air market at Gouville-sur-Mer, which is held on Monday and Friday mornings in the village square, and select your oysters and mussels. Return to your gîte for a leisurely lunch of local specialities by the pool or head to Les Dunes, a restaurant unsurprisingly set in the sand dunes, for their excellent fresh seafood suppers.
Owner’s tip from James Mayhew:
Gouville-sur-Mer is known for its oysters. Buy the freshest oysters, mussels and crabs directly from the growers in Gouville. We’ve got all the seafood utensils you’ll need for cooking your lobster, opening shells & cracking your crab claws!
Penty de Lantecoste, Finistère, Brittany
This traditional Breton stone cottage is an enviable two minutes from the beach. Wake to the scent of sea air drifting across the gardens before pottering to the local bakery on your bicycle or driving up the road to Fouesnant to explore its organic Sunday and Tuesday markets. Fill your basket with local supplies and watch the sun set over the sea from your garden.
Owner’s tip from Arnaud Polaillon:
Sample local cuisine from Chez Hubert in Beg Meil, the seaside terrace of Café du Port in La Foret Fouesnant, or the oyster bench Chez Fabienne. La Cornouaille, like its namesake Cornwall, is cider paradise, fruity, complex and slightly acidic!
Kergudon Gîtes, Finistère, Brittany
These gîtes in the grounds of a priory have been beautifully renovated. The light and spacious kitchens open on to the gardens and are ideal for sociable cooking. You will find a couple of ciders along with eggs from their chickens in the owners’ welcome hamper, perfect if you are feeling inspired by the local crêperies and fancy making your own.
Owner’s tip from Ben Dickins:
If food’s your motivation we’re within easy reach of many excellent restaurants, traditional Breton creperies and weekly markets to buy fabulous produce to create your own meals.
La Binellerie Gites, Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany
These elegantly restored 17th-century farmhouses are an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding Breton seaside. Rugged coastal paths to the north take you along shimmering bays to the idyllic fishing port of Cancale. There are fantastic restaurants here, including Restaurant L’Atelier de l’Huitre, serving not only local seafood inside, but also produce to take back to prepare at your gîte.
Owner’s tip from Sue Davidson:
If you enjoy seafood then Cancale is the place to go, famous for its oyster beds. Here you can sit on the sea wall in the sun and eat a plate of freshly opened oysters with a glass of cold Muscadet!
Gîte de la Motte Féodale, Eure
Once a shooting lodge, this stand-alone big building was part of a medieval estate and you can still see the grassy mount and dungeon tower. The nearest bakery is 3kms in Acquigny where there is also a beautiful château. The welcome hamper will give you a taste of the surrounding area, with wineries and cider producers all around for a more in-depth tasting or tour.
Owner’s tip from Vincent Depuydt:
Louviers is 6kms for a large street market on Saturdays and a small one on Wednesdays, lots of restaurants and shops.
Vive la France
This article is part of Vive la France, the home of inspiring itineraries and stories from travel writers and our team, to help you plan your next French adventure.
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Ruth Richardson
Sawday's Expert
Ruth loves a good story. Following a decade living in London and working in publishing, her ears are always pricked for a spicy plot twist or unforgettable character. She delights in meeting hosts and discovering the history that brought saffron to her spaghetti, the hiking detours that will lead to temple ruins, and why someone cares so passionately about their special corner of the world. She loves that as a marketer for Sawday’s she can share these stories with others too.
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