Actually ON the famous WW2 Invasion Beach Utah Beach house has views across to Point du Hoc & Grandcamp Maisy with Omaha Beach, Arromanches & the Mulberry harbour, Gold, Juno, Sword, plus The American Cemetery all in close proximity, Pegasus Bridge the furthest point from us is just an hour away, Bayeux is very close by. In the other direction is St Vaast La Hougue & Cherbourg. Mont St Michel just over an hour away.
Ste mere Eglise & Carentan are the 2 closest towns to Utah Beach.
Our Normandy Utah Beach house is set in the heart of The Cotentin and Bessin Marshlands Regional Natural Park which covers 145,000 hectares with 144 villages and towns within this Park in Normandy. Utah Beach is located on the eastern side of the peninsular is set in a significantly important coastal protected area of 12,000 acres with the Beauguillot Nature Reserve/Bird Sanctuary of 1,200 acres 500 meters from our house.The bird watching is incredible especially when the migratory birds pass over & land.
The area is in stunning countryside and completely different each season. For example in the winter the marshlands flood to create a beautiful watery scenery with the big skies reflected, then in the summer it becomes pasture with cows peacefully grazing. A haven for photographers & those wanting to learn more about photography with the special light here.
The East coast being slightly wilder than the west coast is very unspoilt especially with the government owning vast tracts of the coast line to preserve the natural beauty we are presently under going the transition in to a UNESCO site.
It is possible to have a day out visiting the Channel Islands, Jersey & Guernsey as there are ferries across on a regular daily basis from Granville, Portbail or Barneville Carteret. these ports on the west coast less than an hour away from us.
This area in Normandy is also famous for it’s horses with numerous stud farms and training stables. Trotting Horses are trained everyday on Utah beach, further up the coast is Honfleur, Deauville & Le Harve under 2 hours away and you cross the fabulous Pont du Normandie on the way.
Giverney Monet's garden takes just over 2 hours to get to & is worth a visit.
Lots to do and see: There is something for everyone, bird watchers, beach lovers, gourmets, wine lovers, walkers, bike riders, horse riders, wind surfers, sand yachting, sailing, diving, horse racing, interest in the 2nd world war or just generally exploring…the problem here is that there is too much to do!
Yet in the summer the beach is paradise, miles and miles of golden sands a perfect spot for a peaceful read, a sun bathe or a busy day with the family on the beach, beach combing, shell fish gathering when the tide is out, it's safe to swim and it's not crowded.
With the bird sanctuary just a few hundred meters away we enjoy an amazing number of different species of sea birds and ducks. If it is particularly quiet on the beach you may be able to spot the colony of harbour seals.
Huge mussels and oysters beds right opposite our house destined for the finest restaurants and tables in Paris and other gourmet destinations – it is possible to purchase shellfish direct from the farm shops locally.
Gourmet dining & specatular sunrises: The house is on the beach – the other houses around are mainly holiday homes so are only opened up 2 weeks of the year – it is an incredibly tranquil and peaceful spot, but not completely isolated...we are also lucky enough to have some splendid restaurants around us, we keep a list in the house & do try them out ourselves!
The museum which is undergoing huge renovation project to be finished for June 2012 attracts in excess of 500,000 visitors per year, however, with our house tucked up in the dunes you won’t be aware of any activity at all! Near the museum is Café Roosevelt.
Half way between Utah Beach and Ste Marie du Mont is a former farm that has been converted into an equestrian centre with hotel and a restaurant.
The nearest village 4 kms away, Saint Marie du Mont which has the most beautiful church, 2 boulangeries, mini mart, bars and restaurants. St Vaast La Hougue 20 minutes away is a UNESCO site with the whole harbour surrounded by restaurants.
We positively welcome dogs, our vet that we have used for the past 13 years speaks excellent English to help with passports etc.
Golf:
Golf here is quite fantastic...
Golf Fontenay-sur-Mer a true Links course only 20 minutes away.
Omaha Golf Made up of three 9 hole courses, the outstanding views of the d-day landings beaches from this course make the whole trip worthwhile. An excellently maintained undulating clifftop course, some of the shots possible are not for the faint hearted.
Barneville Carteret An outstanding links course with undulating fairways, sand dunes, water hazards and narrow greens, this 9 hole course (soon to be developed to 18) benefits from outstanding views of the channel islands
An 18 hole links close to the quaint town of Agon-Coutainville and only 5km west of Coutances, Coutainville is a challenge for golfers of all abilities particularly in the wind.
