Chateau La Cheneviere

Welcome to Château La Chenevière, a five-star hotel on the Norman coast, between Bayeux and the WWII landing beaches. This 18th century manor house, nestled in a romantic park, will welcome you inside its walls brimming with history.

Fully restored in 1988, it has retained its cachet of yesteryear so you can enjoy an extraordinary stay today, steeped in peace and luxury. Settle into one of its 29 comfortable, spacious rooms and let us treat you to the château life, complete with discreet service, a personalized welcome and deluxe amenities.

At La Chenevière, you will also appreciate the finesse and elegance of our dining experience: visit the Château’s restaurant for a gastronomic voyage.

Château la Chenevière is perfectly located between the medieval town of Bayeux and the DDAY beaches. The luxury hotel in Normandy is walking distance from the seaside and the charming port of Port-en-Bessin, which is famous for scallop fishing.

The hotel’s reception team and concierge will happily assist in organizing activities for guests, such as guided tours of the landing beaches, the American cemetery or the Bayeux tapestry and Cathedral.

A day trip to Le Pays d’Auge to visit the beautiful towns of Deauville, Trouville and Honfleur, is also highly recommended. The region has lots to offer and is particularly famous for its cider, calvados and cheese, of course!

The luxury hotel’s private helipad is available for those who would like to see Normandy from another angle. A favourite among clients is a heli-tour of the famous Mont Saint Michel.

History of la Chenevière
In the 17th century, La Chenevière was an immense property dedicated to the cultivation of hemp which was used to make rope and clothing for fishermen. In the 18th century, the property came into the hands of the Gosset family, who built a large house and gradually made the farm the heart of their vast estate holdings.

Beginning in 1880, Gustave and then Pierre Gosset decided to develop the farm and to undertake a number of improvements to the residential premises: another storey was added, as were wooden balconies and a veranda.

Although the Château today possesses only the memory of those structures, thanks to a number of period photographs, it has however retained the large stables – now converted into guest rooms – which were built in that era to house the estate’s broodmares and foals, that were reared and weaned here before being sent to the Haras de Barbeville, a stud farm owned by the Foy family who prepared them for the famous yearling sales in Deauville.

During the Second World War, the estate was occupied by the Germans. Beginning in 1940, an administrative unit lived on the property whose facilities were able to accommodate 70 to 80 horses.

The soldiers of the Third Reich stayed in the outbuildings although, at times, a few officers would live in the main house. La Chenevière became the headquarters of high-ranking German officers. Telecommunications posts were established there, and many trucks, motorcycles and cars were stored on-site.

During the night of 4 to 5 June 1944 on the Château’s property, Armand Lapierre, a member of the Réseau Alliance network, would participate in the “Grande Coupure”, that aimed to destroy the German lines of communication around La Chenevière before the Allied landing on 6 June 1944.

A commemorative plaque in his honour was unveiled on 4 June 2016 in the Château’s park. By the time of the landing, there were no more Germans in the house, and the Royal Army Service Corps would take over from there.

The village of Port-en-Bessin and La Chenevière became the point of passage for the fuel which was necessary for the continuation of military operations. Pipes were installed, including a half-dozen around the property, that crossed through Port-en-Bessin to the town of Commes where the tanks were located.

Troops transiting through the mulberry harbour at Arromanches could refuel their vehicles at a pumping station behind the house. In 1988, the Château was purchased by Marie-Françoise and Thomas Dicker after 133 years in the Gosset family.

Together, they decided to transform this charming location brimming with history into a prestige hotel which they named La Chenevière (“The Hemp Field”), in homage to the nickname given to the building during its early farming days, “la chenevrotte” (“hemp chaff”).

That same year, the hotel was certified and assigned a four-star ranking. Four years later, in 1992, the manor/restaurant joined the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. In 2014, La Chenevière earned its fifth star. It will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018.

Rooms & Suites
Château la Chenevière is a small luxury hotel near Bayeux with 29 rooms, including suites, junior suites, deluxe rooms and standard rooms. Each room is decorated differently with elegant wallpapers, floral fabrics and designer furnishings.

The chateau’s rooms and suites also offer impeccable modern comfort with AC, free Wi-Fi and flat screen TVs. Bathroom amenities include luxury French brand Dyptique shampoo, conditioner, body soap and body lotion, as well as bathrobes, slippers, and a hairdryer.

The luxurious hotel’s suites have private balconies, courtyards or gardens and all rooms overlook the 2-hectare grounds surrounding the chateau hotel in Normandy. The 5-star hotel’s garden include a tennis court, an outdoor heated swimming pool and a permaculture vegetable garden with beehives.

Bicycles are also available for guests who would like to discover the region on two wheels and the fitness centre is open daily. The luxury hotel in Normandy is pet-friendly should guests wish to travel with their four-legged friends!

Upon check-in, each guest is welcomed with a complimentary homemade iced tea made with herbs from the five-star hotel’s vegetable garden.

Suite

The four suites are the four largest rooms at the Château. In addition to the bedroom and bathroom, each one also has a separate lounge area. Like all the rooms at La Chenevière, they are all decorated individually, in a style in keeping with the rest of the establishment.

You will find lovely hues and subtle harmony here. Endowed with elegance and romanticism, the suites at La Chenevière are like luxurious, warm nests where you will feel perfectly at home.

Junior suite

Treat yourself to an unforgettable stay in one of the six Junior Suites at Château La Chenevière. These large suites offer the refined comfort of the beautiful old country homes of yesteryear. The décor emphasizes elegance, with special attention given to the colours and ambiance.

The marble fireplaces, gorgeous draperies and the carefully selected furniture make each suite a luxurious place of refuge. You can even rent a Junior Suite with a private garden!

Deluxe room

La Chenevière has 16 Deluxe Rooms, which either come with a double king bed or two single beds. Two of them are fitted out for people with reduced mobility. You can also request one of the two Deluxe Rooms which have their own private patios.

The woodwork and the walls bedecked with rustic motifs imbue them with inimitable cachet, that melds with the overall style of the Château. These are ideal for a stay permeated by romanticism.

Classic room

Our Classic Rooms are particularly well-suited to couples and short stays. Decorated in pastel colours, their gentle brightness is further accentuated by tall windows facing the park. They stand apart for their classical style, which recalls the French art of living.

Warm and comfortable, they have all the necessary conveniences to make your stay a pleasant one. In each one, you will find a soothing atmosphere, conducive to rest and relaxation.

Le Botaniste Restaurant

Refined, inventive and seasonal, Chef Didier Robin’s cuisine invites you to a fine dining experience, Normandy style. Creations with subtle flavours to enjoy with one of the wines from our cellar, hand-picked by our sommelier from amongst the best vintages.

At the fine dining restaurant Le Botaniste, Head Chef Didier Robin and his culinary team prepare upscale dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Vegetables, fruits and herbs all come from the hotel’s permaculture vegetable garden.

Fish, seafood and lobster are all sourced from the local port, Port-en-Bessin, located down the road while meats come from Normandy’s best farmers. The hotel’s pastry chef also prepares seasonal yet creative desserts and always makes sure that there is at least one gluten free or vegan option on the menu.

The restaurant is only open for dinner and serves a seasonal set menu with either 3 or 4 dishes. A vegetarian option is always on offer. A private dining-room is available for hire for group bookings and the restaurant can also be privatised for lunch for special events.

Wine-bar
Our Sommelier has more than 300 French wine and Champagne references in his wine cellar but also offers a selection of wine pairings by the glass to accompany your meal while you dine at the restaurant.

At the restaurant’s bar, our mixologist serves creative cocktails with local ingredients, including herbs from the garden and house-made syrups. Cocktails are served with appetizers and can either be enjoyed in our cosy bar or on our terrace, while admiring our garden.

Breakfast
Breakfast is served daily from 7am to 10am in our fine-dining restaurant Le Botaniste. The buffet includes different pastries and breads from our local baker, as well as jams and honey from our very own beehives.

For those who prefer a savoury breakfast, we also serve locally smoked salmon, sausages, bacon and eggs. A self-service automatic machine is also available to prepare freshly squeezed orange juice. Other local juices are also on display.

Le Petit Jardin

In a romantic, rustic setting, Le Petit Jardin awaits you in La Chenevière’s old conservatory. The menu focuses on fresh, high-quality products, all locally sourced or from the château’s permaculture vegetable garden. Le Petit Jardin is open for lunch and dinner.

Le Petit Jardin is the hotel’s casual restaurant which is open for lunch and dinner. The main dining room is located inside the hotel’s old conservatory. Outdoor seating is also available in the garden for some sunny alfresco dining. Head chef, Hugo Genty also uses ingredients sourced in our vegetable garden.

Dinner is à la carte and includes popular dishes like the crab cake or local beef burgers with house made fries. A barbecue lunch is served every Sunday during the summer season.

The restaurant offers a selection of organic wines and delectable cocktails, also served with fresh herbs from the garden. Guests can also enjoy after-dinner herbal teas made with fresh herbs from our garden before going back to their rooms and suites.

If you would like to try any other restaurants in Normandy France – our concierge will be more than happy to recommend some great restaurants. We also offer room service to our guest who prefer to dine in the comfort of their rooms.

Zanzibar

Zanzibar is the hotel hidden bar decorated by the owner’s collection of travel souvenirs. This speakeasy discreetly invites guests to enjoy a drink after their meal. Its Calvados-based cocktail menu guarantees a fun and unique experience.

The Park

La Chenevière is set in a park of 12 hectares of which 2 include the walled garden with a heated outdoor pool (open from mid-May until end of September), a tennis court and bicycles.

The Plants

The rose gardens offer luxurious fragrances and many exotic trees make this place an ideal retreat to enjoy a peaceful rest. Every year in May, La Chenevière invites France’s best artisans and nursery gardeners to its Flower Show. The permaculture vegetable garden and the production of honey

The permaculture vegetable garden of La Chenevière provides fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables to both restaurants. The home-cultivated honey served at the breakfast buffet comes directly from the hives of the chateau and is also available for sale.

The pool
With its deck chairs, parasols, palm trees and more, the Château’s pool area will welcome you in a lush green setting. The outdoor pool is heated from May to September and also has a children’s pool.

A real haven of peace on the Château’s grounds, providing you with privacy and tranquillity, sheltered by its high stone walls. As an added bonus, it adjoins the restaurant, Le Petit Jardin.

Massages
Enjoy moments of pure pleasure and serenity thanks to our range of tailored massages and treatments, provided in a massage room for maximum comfort.
You choose your treatment and we’ll take care of the rest.

Tennis court
The grounds are full of surprises. For example, you will discover a tennis court with open access to guests staying at the Château. After a full day of touring, challenge your friends to a good-natured doubles match in an extraordinary environment.

Biking
Bicycles are available free of charge to guests of La Chenevière. There is no shortage of routes to take around the Château. Set off to tackle the small Norman roads on a quick outing or a longer excursion.

Follow the sea air as you embark on an exploration of the coastline, or instead opt to delve into the green countryside of the Bessin region. Just ask, and we will be happy to advise you.

Accredited helipad
La Chenevière has its own authorized helipad. Not only can newlyweds make a stunning arrival for their wedding reception at the Château, but it is also a stopping or starting point for helicopter tours which fly over the WWII landing beaches, the beaches at Arromanches and Deauville, the town of Honfleur, the city of Le Havre, and Normandy Bridge. An original way to admire the region from above.

Weddings
La Chenevière is a Norman style chateau that has the charm and ambiance of an old manor house. Located in a beautiful park with old trees, La Chenevière offers an exceptional setting for both prestigious and warm weddings.

Seminars

La Chenevière offers an ideal atmosphere as an exceptional framework to allow your teams to be creative and share their ideas. Among the amenities included in this package, you will find a flipchart, a screen, a projector, etc.

Fête des Plantes

La Chenevière celebrates springtime with an annual tribute to nature. Flowers, petals and buds will all be in attendance for the Flower Show. Some 30 exhibitors from across France will be hosted in the 2 hectare park, in front of garden lovers who have been greatly looking forward to this new edition.

Bayeux

Located 10 kilometres from La Chenevière, Bayeux is famous for its 11th century tapestry which tells the story of the conquest of England by William the Conqueror in 1066.

In addition to this exquisite piece, inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 2007, the town also possesses a rich and well-preserved architectural heritage. Its medieval historical centre contains half-timbered houses, manors with towers, grand homes and elegant private mansions.

You won’t want to miss the Cathedral of Our Lady of Bayeux, a Norman gem where Romanesque and Gothic architecture intermingle. Odo had the famous Bayeux Tapestry embroidered to decorate the nave of the cathedral.

Bayeux is also home to a number of memory spaces associated with the Second World War, three museums, a botanical garden and a lovely promenade along the banks of the Aure which offers an original way to discover the town and its heritage.

The D-Day landing beaches

From La Chenevière, you can set off to explore the coast of the Bessin region, where you will find the WWII landing beaches, a must-see tourist destination. In the centre of the landing zone, Arromanches has preserved the remains of the mulberry harbour.

A little further along, the Normandy American Cemetery overlooks Omaha Beach (stretching from Colleville-sur-Mer to Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer). The Pointe du Hoc promontory, before Utah Beach, and Sainte-Mère-Église are some of the other sites marked by the Allied landing in Normandy on 6 June 1944.

All of them have a museum or memorial dedicated to that great moment in history. They retrace the whole story of D-Day, from its preparation to the actual event.

You will also find a series of testaments to the past: uniforms and personal belongings, vehicles, cannons, archive photographs, and more. The hotel can organize guided tours of the landing beaches by sedan, Jeep, dune buggy or quad bike.

Honfleur and The Impressionists

Honfleur makes for a lovely stop along the Flowery Coast. Its docks and harbours, Sainte-Catherine Church, its old streets and typical house, and Notre-Dame Chapel, not to mention the hospice and lighthouse, the shipyard and the Seine Estuary all served as inexhaustible sources of inspiration for painters beginning in the 1820s.

A real artists’ community formed there, around Boudin, Jongkind and Monet in particular. Some would readily say that the small Norman port is in fact the birthplace of impressionism!

Today, you can still admire the sites depicted by 19th century artists, particularly the Old Harbour, the church, and the Saint Siméon Farmhouse Inn above town where all the painters would gather together, along with musicians, poets, writers and more.

Deauville, Trouville et Cabourg

The “Flowery Coast” refers to the Norman coast where the English Channel laps at the Pays d’Auge. Its name recalls the pleasant inland countryside, as well as the many seaside resorts scattered at the water’s edge.

The most famous and elegant of these, Deauville, is just as captivating today as it was in the past. Many a summer visitor is attracted to its mythical boardwalk, its horse races, its sale of yearlings each August, its polo tournaments and its American Film Festival in early September.

The more family-friendly seaside resort town of Trouville-sur-Mer is right next to Deauville. After enjoying the pleasures of the beach, take advantage of its lively fishing port to cool down with some ice cream or a cold beverage.

Cabourg owes its reputation to the famous people it has hosted with, first and foremost, Proust, whose memory has left its mark on the small resort town. Like Trouville, it is known for its incredible, splendid array of architectural styles.

Members of the seventh art come together each year for the Film Festival, the Romantic Days and European Days at Cabourg.

Culinary visits

The region of Normandy invites you to discover its products. During your escapes in the hinterland, don’t hesitate to stop off and visit the local farmers and producers. Normandy is a fertile land for the apple and pear trees lining its roads.

Their fruit supplies the region’s cider-works and distilleries where you can sample apple juice, hard cider, perry, pommeau and calvados.

On the plains, the hedged farmland and the hilly green prairies, Norman cows produce quality milk, used to make famous AOC cheeses like Camembert, Livarot and Pont l’Eveque, but also Isigny cream and butter. Many cheesemakers will open their doors to explain all the secrets of their production processes.

Along the coast, oyster farmers will take you on guided tours of their oyster beds where they cultivate the famous cupped oysters. You can even go to the fish auction hall to buy your fish caught the night before.

A few gardens

A land of nature, Calvados boasts several remarkable gardens worth a look by visitors. The Botanical Garden in Caen, a veritable museum of plants, is home to more than 8,000 species and includes an exotic greenhouse.

The gardens of the Château de Vendeuvre stand out for their water-based theme. Nearby Bayeux, the Castillon Gardens and their series of theme gardens extend an invitation for a peaceful stroll.

The gardens of the Château de Brécy are a gorgeous example of terraced formal gardens, unique in Normandy. In Balleroy, visit the Garden of the Forgotten, preferably in June, to admire the Norman heirloom roses there.

Discover the architecture of Normandy in the Pays d’Auge Gardens in Cambremer. Considered one of the jewels of Calvados, the gardens of Mézidon-Canon are the site of charterhouses and walled gardens which are unique in France.

Lastly, the gardens of the Château de Boutemont, to the north of Lisieux, are some of the most beautiful in Calvados.

More Chateaux to visit

Follow in the footsteps of William of Conqueror along the Bessin coast where fortified farms, abbeys, medieval fortresses and manor houses are legion. From the Ducal Château de Caen to William the Conqueror’s château in Falaise, relive the epic saga of this local hero.

Dive into the Middle Ages at the Château de Crèvecœur-en-Auge where a week of activities is held each year during the Medieval Fair.

At the Manoir d’Argouges, a rare architectural complex in a mix of medieval and Renaissance styles, let yourself be swept away by the owner on a journey outside of time as you learn about the age-old legend of the Fairy of Argouges.

Enthusiasts can continue that journey through history and architecture by visiting the Château de Balleroy, designed by architect François Mansart, the Renaissance Château de Fontaine-Henry with its gorgeous sculpted façades, and the Châteaux de Bénouville, Pontécoulant and Vendeuvre, 18th century creations.

Lastly, to admire the most Norman of all the châteaux in Calvados, head for Saint-Germain-de-Livet, to the south of Lisieux.

Website: www.lacheneviere.com

Rooms: 29

Price: from 197 EUR per night