News & Blog

A Guide to Normandy, North of the Seine

The articles that make up this blog provide a guide to visiting Upper Normandy. Although it is primarily intended for guests staying at my B&B and holiday cottage in the hamlet of Basse Copette, it is also useful for anyone visiting Upper Normandy and parts of Picardy, including the Somme and the Oise departments.

Browse the most recent additions below, or use the Category Index to the right to find further articles on any particular subject.

Great wines for luxury gites and B&B guests

Posted on July 31, 2010 by Thomas

Loire Valley Wines

If there is one thing I really do enjoy, it would have to be cooking a good meal. Thankfully, for someone who enjoys cooking meals and whose business depends on it, I get great feedback from guests for the meals I serve. But, I am all to aware there is room for improvement. One aspect of my meals that can be improved upon is the wine, particularly so given I live in France. I have never had terrible comments on the wine I serve, and after 5 years I have a feel for which wines work with which dish. But when it comes to my 5 course gourmet meals, which really are greatly enjoyed, I have always thought the meal could be enhanced by having carefully chosen wines for the different courses. This came home to me recently when I was lucky to be treated to such a meal – six courses and a different wine with each. Such a dining experience would be appropriate for guests staying in luxury gites and B&B. Continue reading →

Something different to do in Paris

Posted on February 11, 2010 by Thomas

Paris Movie Walks

Holiday makers usually rent a gite in Normandy for the region’s wonderful rural qualities, the numerous attractions here and of course the seaside resorts. But holidaying in Normandy does not necessarily rule out a day trip (or two) to Paris, particularly from Basse Copette. Basse Copette offers wonderful B&B and self catering accommodation that is not that far from the Picardy city of Amiens, which makes Paris easily accessible for a day trip. Of course, there is no need to say how much there is to see and do in Paris. For first-timers, you will be spoilt for choice and a day will only wet your appetite. But, if you have been to Paris a few times before and would love an excuse to visit again to do something different, how about a guided tour through the city of “Lights! Camera! Action!” Movie buffs will great enjoy a walk through the Parisian streets and cinematic history. Continue reading →

The Ultimate Summer Festival for Your Normandy Holiday

Posted on January 31, 2010 by Thomas

Rouen Cathedral by Night

For those of you with a passion for art, particularly impressionist art, this summer you have the ultimate festival to make your Normandy holiday that extra bit special this year. From April to November Normandie Impressionniste 2010 offers an amazing programme of events to celebrate Normandy’s Impressionist heritage. Most people know that Monet’s Giverny house and garden is in Normandy, but few realise that Normandy was a central focus for many Impressionist artists. Many lived in the region, and others frequently visited the cities, such as Rouen and Le Havre, and the coastline – the striking white cliffs being a favourite subject. But, it is not just a festival of museum exhibitions, there really is something on the programme for everyone, even the children. Continue reading →

French Christmas Markets: Amiens

Posted on September 23, 2009 by Thomas

French Christmas markets ... in France

French Christmas markets are a great part of the build up to Christmas, and the best way to experience one is of course in France itself. The city of Amiens hosts the biggest and most spectacular one in northern France. From the last weekend in November to just after Christmas the streets of the city are filled with over 120 individual stalls and all sorts of rides and attractions to amuse the younger visitors. And during the month of December, the façade of the Cathedral is lit up to appear as it would have done in medieval times. So if it is a quiet romantic few days away you are looking for in the lead up to Christmas, or a pre-Christmas treat for the children, a weekend Christmas break is a must. Only 35 minutes away is the small hamlet of Basse Copette. On offer, luxury but affordable bed and breakfast or self catering accommodation, for a weekend or a few days in the week. A Christmas market break at Basse Copette offers a great deal. Continue reading →

Abbaye de Jumièges

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Thomas

Abbaye de Jumièges

Sometimes, particularly during busy periods, I get the feeling I do not get out much. The upside is that I get good reports from my guests of the local attractions I have not seen; and after 5 years there are still many. This was the case with the Abbaye de Jumièges: recent guests visited the ruined Abbey on a day out to Rouen from Basse Copette and returned saying what a great time they had had there. It is very definitely well worth a visit. The Abbey is widely said to be ‘the most beautiful ruin in France’, and occupation of the site dates back to the 7th Century, and in its heyday was the biggest Benedictine monastery in the West. The Abbey is on a large island formed by a loop in the Seine River, in the town of Jumièges. The Seine river has many of these loops (boucles) before it enters the sea, and this area has been designated the Boucles de la Seine Normande Regional Park. Continue reading →

Summer Holidays in Normandy

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Thomas

Summer Festival Queen

Rural areas of France provide wonderful summer holidays, and Normandy is no different. Basse Copette is a small, rural hamlet in the Bresle Valley of Upper Normandy. There are only 6 residences, and very much off the beaten track. What it lacks in on-the-door-step attractions it more than amply makes up for in rural charm. We are close to some great attractions (Monet’s Garden in Giverny), and others make for a great day out (Paris, Disneyland), but there really is something unbeatable about being in France profonde. For example, each year from the the end of spring to the beginning of autumn most Communes and bigger villages host their own particular summer festival. And then there are the rather unique and often quirky ways of celebrating national events. These add a wonderful and often unexpected quality to a holiday. Continue reading →

France Christmas Markets: Rouen

Posted on August 12, 2009 by Thomas

France for Christmas Markets

France has wonderful Christmas markets, and the Marché de Noël in Rouen has a most spectacular backdrop: the cathedral that Monet has made so famous. Directly in front of the Cathedral is one of a couple of skating rinks available, which is surrounded by numerous stalls selling all sorts of drinks (of course there is mulled wine) and food. Then scattered throughout the streets of this older part of the city are various stalls selling all sorts of things that make great gifts. Most Marchés de Noël start during the last weekend of November and go through to the first week of January. Basse Copette is close to two great French Christmas Markets: Rouen and Amiens, and on offer are inclusive 3-day breaks to give you the opportunity to enjoy both! Bring the children, or as most couples do, take a break from the maddening rush that is the lead up to Christmas and relax at Basse Copette. Continue reading →

Normandy Gite September @ Basse Copette

Posted on August 3, 2009 by Thomas

Try a Normandy gîte this September, try Basse Copette. September is a wonderful time to holiday in Normandy – the schools have gone back, the weather is still wonderful and all the tourist attractions are still open – after all it is heritage weekend towards the end of September in France. And Basse Copette is no different – being on the Picardy and Normandy border everything these two regions have to offer are on your doorstep: a day trip to Paris, Monet’s garden at Giverny, World War 1 and 2 memorial sites.

Basse Copette offers luxury self catering accommodation for up to 8 people – i.e. which could work out as only €90 per person per week, or €13 per person per night! Perfect for couples travelling together or alone or families. Continue reading →

Normandy Chicken

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Thomas

Normandy is one of the great gastronomic regions of France. So when a dish is prepared à la normande what exactly does that mean? Any combination of fresh cream, cider and calvados (or apples), and cheese. I try to keep a Normandy theme to the menus at Basse Copette, and one of the most popular dishes is Normandy chicken. It is a wholesome meal – just the meal that is called for after a long day walking the Normandy countryside. I am often asked for the recipe, so here it is (without photographs for the moment I am afraid). Continue reading →

Cycle Paris – London via Basse Copette …

Posted on May 28, 2009 by Thomas

Old railway Guard's house

…well almost. Basse Copette is not far from the proposed 218 km cycle ‘path’ that will run between St Paul’s Cathedral in London and Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and due to be complete in 2012 in time for the Olympics. That part that passes through Seine Maritime (the Department in which Basse Copette is to be found) runs from a town called Forges-les-Eaux to the coastal port of Dieppe. The cycle path is known locally as la route verte, or the green road, and has been open since 2007. The cycle path was once the route of a railway line that went from Paris to Dieppe, and passes through the wonderful town of Neufchâtel-en-Bray, from where the delicious, heart-shaped Neufchâtel cheese originates, and passes by some wonderful châteaux that make great picnic stops. A great day out for guests at Basse Copette. Continue reading →