Things to do in the Marais area
Activities
Antiques/Brocante Market
Name of nearest antiques/brocante market: La Cles des Temps, Coutances
Distance: 21 km
Many brocantes and Vide Greniers (rummage sales) can be found using the Brocante Lovers Guide at: https://www.normandythenandnow.com/the-brocante-lovers-guide/
Creative arts
Festyland Amusement Park
Lots of rides (from gentle to thrilling), a full day's entertainment for the whole family. A brilliant outing and only an hour from Le Clos Castel (85 km on the outskirts of Caen). https://festyland.com/discover-festyland/
Signed wine route
Name of nearest signed wine route: Cider / Calvados Route - Le Clos d'Orval
Wine tasting and cookery
Name and address of nearest wine producer: Le Biscuit de Sainte-Mère-Église.
Distance: 27 km
Zoo
Fabulous French Zoo to visit with plenty of room for animals to roam. Loads of penguins and children (and adults) can visit the animal petting zoo... 55 minutes by car (60 km South of Raids). http://www.zoo-champrepus.com/en/the-zoo/
Sports
Cycling
Normandy is criss-crossed by the Voie Verte - or green lane; the voie verte connects many of the towns and villages across the area and is easy to drive to, park-up and enjoy.
Fishing nearby
Species of fish: Sea Fishing
Name of nearest fishing location: West and North Coast beaches
Distance: 20 km
Species of fish: White fish, Trout
Name of nearest fishing location: Sarcelles Lake Outdoor Activities Centre, 50190 Marchésieux, France
Distance: 8 km
Golf
Name and address of nearest golf course: Golf Centre Manche, Saint-Martin-d'Aubigny, France
Distance: 8 km
Horse riding
Name and address of nearest stables/riding school: Ecurie De Beauclerc, Saint-Martin-d'Aubigny, France
Distance: 5 km
Mountain biking
Walking
Watersports
It is possible to go sand yachting on many of the former D-Day landing beaches.
Things to See and Do
There are so many places to go and things to do within a short distance of Le Clos Castel. The D-Day landing beaches of the north coast are within 25-40 minutes by car, the beautiful west coast beaches are within 20 minutes drive. There are many natural parks, historic houses, abbeys, sand yachting, horse riding, golf, fishing, walking, running, cycling, bird watching all available from Le Clos Castel’s doorstep, or you can chill out in the tranquillity of the house and grounds. Enjoy the wonderful local cuisines, cheeses seafood, wine and cider, oysters a local speciality.
Falaise - Birthplace of William The Conqueror
Château Guillaume Le Conquérant (William the Conqueror's Castle): despite the name, the vast castle you see today was developed for the Anglo-French kings of England in the 12th century, then further extended in the 13th for French royals. It has been magnificently restored in recent years and the tour makes the most of modern technology to recreate the castle’s illustrious past and bring courtly life back to life. Well worth a visit.
Sainte Mere Eglise
Paratroopers rained down on this Norman village as D-Day operations began in June 1944 to liberate Europe from German occupation. Famously, American soldier John Steele was left dangling from the medieval church as his parachute got caught on its tower.
D-Day landing beaches
An amazing armada of Allied troops, British, American, Canadian and more landed on Normandy’s beaches on 6th June 1944 to begin the liberation of Europe from years of Nazi occupation. The five beaches; Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah are all within easy reach.
Le Mont St Michel
The Benedictine Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most remarkable examples of mediaeval religious and military architecture and was one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage sites from the 8th to the 18th century. The Abbey comprises a superb ensemble of clerical buildings including the abbey church, the cloister, the refectory, the monks' ambulatory and the gardens of what has been known as the "Merveille" (Marvel) since the 12th century. In summer, the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel is best seen in all its splendour after sunset during the special “sons et lumières" shows. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO.
Open: 2nd May to 31st August: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1st September to 30th April: from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last admission 1 hr before closing time. Closed: 1st January, 1st May and 25 December.
Bayeux Tapestry
A unique artefact of its kind, the Bayeux Tapestry is an embroidery of wool yarn on woven linen, made in the 11th Century. It is 70 metres long and 50 centimetres high, and recounts the tale of the conquest of England on 14th October 1066, led by William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy. Remarkably well preserved, the Bayeux Tapestry features on UNESCO's "Memories of the World" Register.
Monet's Gardens at Giverny
Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny are well worth a visit. You can see the water lilies that inspired the painter and stroll through the stunning gardens that were Monet’s muse for so many of his well-known pieces of artwork.