COUNTRYSIDE

Les Rochers

Cerisy-la-Forêt - France

A 16th-century Norman farmstead in the countryside between Bayeux and Saint-Lô, restored into five large rooms and a cottage surrounded by fields, old orchards and open sky.

Adults Only

Countryside

Pool

Beach 25km

Billiards

Honesty Bar

THE SETTING

Les Rochers sits at the end of a small lane outside Cerisy-la-Forêt, in the Manche countryside, between Bayeux and Saint-Lô. This is inland Normandy at its best: green fields, hedges, old apple trees, quiet lanes and the sense that the sea is close without being immediately visible. The coast is around half an hour away, while Bayeux and the D-Day beaches are close enough for easy day trips.

The property is an imposing 16th-century farmstead, arranged around a central courtyard with the main house, former barns, agricultural buildings and an old chapel. It was once a working farm and kept its agricultural role until the 1980s.

Susanna and Konstantin Falk first saw Les Rochers in 2004 after leaving Zurich, spending time in Italy and deciding that Normandy might offer the right next chapter for their family. The house was their first choice from the beginning. They bought it in 2005 and spent the following years restoring the estate with patience, taste and a lot of work done by hand. The result is neither a classic château stay nor a conventional bed and breakfast. It feels more like being invited into a private rural estate where history, art, cooking and independence all matter.

The old façades have kept their rough Norman character. Inside, the spaces are (much) larger, lighter and more contemporary than expected, with stone walls, clean lines, family furniture, 20th-century design pieces and artworks collected over time.

THE ROOMS

There are five guest rooms and one independent cottage. The rooms are unusually spacious for a maison d’hôtes. Some measure around 45 to 70 m², while the family suite reaches roughly 110 m². The cottage, set in the former chapel, is around 70 m² and works as a more independent stay for two. The decoration is personal rather than categorised. Art Deco pieces, inherited furniture, 1970s objects, contemporary Norman art and furniture designed on site all appear naturally across the rooms.

Most rooms have their own entrance and either a fireplace or a wood stove. Several also have a terrace, a balcony, or a direct connection to the garden. The family suite is best for guests travelling with children, while the cottage gives more independence, with its own kitchen and small outdoor area.

The feeling is closer to that of a private apartment than a hotel bedroom, especially because guests can cook, read, light the fire, and settle in properly.

THE FOOD

Breakfast is served in the Auberge, the old stable that has become the heart of the house. The table is local and very Norman: bread and croissants from the village, seasonal products, sweet and savoury homemade touches, coffee, tea, chocolate and fruit juice. From Friday to Sunday, the milk comes directly from a nearby farm.

The Auberge stays open after breakfast. From midday, guests can use the kitchen themselves, with fridge space, cooking equipment and basics such as oil, vinegar, spices and butter. It is a rare detail, and a very good one. Once a week, a table d’hôtes is organised with an invited chef or local partner, usually for a minimum number of guests and by advance reservation.

There is a small selection of wines and drinks, plus an honesty bar with local cider and Calvados. The whole food approach says a lot about Les Rochers: hosted but not overcontrolled.

THE STAY

Les Rochers is made for guests who like independence. There is no pool, no spa and no hotel programme. Instead, the pleasure comes from the estate: the courtyard, the garden, the Auberge, the fields, the books, the fireplace, the snooker table, the pétanque court and the simple luxury of space.

The former barn is where guests naturally meet. In the morning, it is used for breakfast. Later, someone may be reading on the sofa, working at the table, playing chess, choosing a bottle, cooking dinner or talking to another guest beside the wood stove.

Outside, chairs and loungers are placed around the garden. You can move them into the sun, under a tree or somewhere with a better view. The surrounding fields and old paths invite short walks without needing to drive anywhere. Two folding bikes are available, and the hosts are happy to help with restaurant bookings, museum tickets, walking routes, markets and local events.

AROUND LES ROCHERS

Cerisy-la-Forêt has around 1,000 inhabitants, a bakery, butcher, small shops, a Friday market and one of the most beautiful Romanesque abbey churches in Normandy. The Abbey of Saint-Vigor was founded in the 11th century and remains an important example of Norman Romanesque architecture. A walking path of around eight kilometres loops from the village past the abbey and into the surrounding countryside. The forest of Cerisy is also close, ideal for easy walks and cycling, offering a different shade of Normandy after the open fields around the house.

Bayeux is around 15 minutes away and is one of the best nearby towns for a full day out. The tapestry, cathedral, shops, restaurants and old streets make it much more than a quick stop. The D-Day beaches are also within easy reach. Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery, Arromanches, Longues-sur-Mer and the museums around Bayeux and the coast can all be visited from Les Rochers without changing base.

The location is practical because it sits between several versions of Normandy: inland bocage, medieval Bayeux, the D-Day coast, the Manche peninsula, and the road west towards Mont-Saint-Michel.

THE OWNERS

Les Rochers is the home and project of Susanna and Konstantin Falk. They left Zurich and their city jobs, lived for a time on Lipari in the Aeolian Islands, then moved again when they began looking for a place where their family could build a new life. They found Les Rochers in 2004 and quickly knew that it was the one. The following years were spent restoring the buildings, opening the rooms, shaping the garden, and slowly turning the old farmstead into the guesthouse it is today.

Susanna is especially present in the daily rhythm of the house: breakfast, local shopping, guest arrivals, restaurant advice, the Auberge, and the small signals that help her understand whether guests want conversation or privacy.

The house reflects them both: Swiss-Italian roots, Norman countryside, inherited furniture, art, food, independence and a deep respect for an old place that has been brought back without being made too neat.

GOOD TO KNOW

Les Rochers has five guest rooms and one independent cottage. There is no full restaurant. Guests can use the shared kitchen in the Auberge from midday, and table d’hôtes evenings are organised on selected dates by advance reservation.

Children under five are not accepted, as the house is not adapted for very young guests. Small and medium-sized dogs are accepted only on request and only in room ‘La Trois’.

Les Rochers is around 10 minutes from Saint-Lô, 15 minutes from Bayeux, about 30 minutes from the coast, 40 minutes from Caen, and around 90 minutes from Mont Saint-Michel.

Rates start at €150 for the cottage, double rooms from €180–€200, and the family suite from €210. Rates may vary by season and length of stay.