The elegant Manoir de Bray is a delight in the heart of rural Normandy. Dating back to 1638, this Norman manor is full of authentic charm alongside modern features and is a very special place to stay in this picturesque region.

The manoir offers guests character and original features across two storeys, connected by a majestic vintage oak staircase. With five bedrooms upstairs in the main house and a further double in a ground-floor annexe, this is an ideal place for friends to meet or families to gather with spacious interiors and beautiful grounds. Outside you are surrounded by 2000m2 of French gardens, full of summer colours and relaxing lawns. The glorious swimming pool awaits you or you may simply choose to spend your time sipping coffee under the shade on the terrace overlooking the remarkable grounds.

It’s just a five-minute drive to the village of Gournay-en-Bray with its twice weekly market and a short drive from a handful of France’s most beautiful villages such as Gerberoy (15km) and Lyons-la-Forêt (27km), a gateway into the beautiful Lyons Forest with trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

Normandy has a huge amount to offer with something for everyone from old cities such as Rouen (53km) where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake to Monet's garden at Giverny (54km). Head to historic Beauvais, where you can catch the train to Paris or if you prefer the seaside then head to Dieppe, about an hour by car, for its seafood restaurants and cultural attractions.

That said, with such glorious countryside around you, it may be hard to leave your lovely surroundings at Manoir de Bray, a unique holiday home full of history and character.

It’s only a five minute drive to the local village, Gournay-en-Bray, a charming place where you will find a couple of restaurants and supermarkets. There’s a weekly market on a Tuesday and Friday morning; this area specialises in dairy, especially fromage frais.  Surrounded by beautiful countryside, this is an ideal place for walking and cycling.

You are surrounded by amazing medieval villages and idyllic châteaux in this part of Normandy. Some of the region’s Plus Beaux Villages de France are nearby such as Gerberoy (15km), La Roche-Guyon (55km) and Lyons-la-Forêt (27km), a gateway into the beautiful Lyons Forest with trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking and horse riding.

The larger Parc Naturel Des Boucles De La Seine (100km) is also within driving distance for more wonderful landscapes, amazing abbeys and diverse flora and fauna.

If travelling with kids, they may love the Parc Saint Paul (25km), a theme park with various attractions set in parkland with a lake.  Château Gaillard (43km) above the Seine is one of the many Normandy castle ruins in the region which will excite young and old, followed by a riverside walk in the village below, Les Andelys.

Normandy has a huge amount to offer with something for everyone from historical cities such as Rouen (53km) where Joan of Arc was burnt at the stake to Monet's garden at Giverny (54km). Paris (100km) can be reached by train from Beauvais in under 90 minutes or head to Dieppe (78km), about an hour by car, for its seafood restaurants and cultural attractions.

The delightful seaside resort of Deauville is 145km away where you will find designer boutiques and lovely beaches whilst just to the north Honfleur is one of the many pretty fishing villages in Normandy.

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