From D-Day beaches, cemeteries and museums to Monet’s garden, picturesque townscapes and France’s number 2 tourist attraction (after the Eiffel Tower), Mont St Michel, Normandy is a rather special place to visit on a long weekend. It's easy to get there from its ports Le Havre and Dieppe and, thanks to the improved motorway network, you can reach Rouen in 90 minutes from the Channel tunnel. Meanwhile, make your trip that extra bit special by resting your head in one of these highly unusual places to stay.

1) Sleep in a giant Calvados barrel

Truly "immerse" yourself in the Norman culture, spending a night in a huge barrel once used to store Calvados.  With a capacity of over 10,000 litres, once tipped on their side these barrels can be transformed into a pretty little bedroom.  Firmly anchored in the Norman soil, the circular room is ideal for two (and no more!).  Owners of the Domaine de la “Cour au Grip”, Patrick et Paulette Esnard, also offer cookery workshops on their typical Pays d’Auge farm along the Normandy cider route.

Tel: +33 (0)2 31 63 85 85; Blog: http://lacouraugrip.blog.capital.fr/

2) Discover the hidden depths of a luxury chateau

Look no further for the chance to spend the night in a luxurious French château. Just 80km from Paris, the Château de Saussard sits in an 8-hectare estate with its ancient and majestic plane trees reflected in the winding river Epte. The fully-restored 15th, 18th and 19th-century chateau boasts six guest rooms as well as tennis courts, stables, fishing in the river and pleasure boating.  Be sure to explore the chateau’s basement where the crystal-clear heated swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi and bar are hidden!

Tel: +33 (0)6 07 54 01 19; www.chateaudeweekend.com

3) Become a brave Indian

In a large glade at this farm in Muchedent, a herd of around 200 Canadian bison can be found grazing alongside a reconstruction of an Indian village. Embark on a canoeing adventure down the river, learn how to put up your own tipi, sample bison meet reared on the farm straight from the barbecue or cosied up in the giant tipi restaurant  and then for those truly Sioux at heart, arm yourself with your camping gear and settle down for a night under the stars.

Tel: +33 (0)2 35 04 15 04; www.revedebisons.com

4) Make your nest in an old dovecote
 
The entire dovecote of this old farmstead has been transformed into one of the rooms of the guesthouse owned by husband and wife duo Alain and Marie Louise Duval. Spend the day pottering about amongst the chestnut, hazel and hornbeam trees, the ancient 3 hectare orchard, the traditional kitchen garden, the ponds edged with beech trees and the meadow where donkeys roam.  Later, whilst Marie takes care of the home-cooked evening meals, Alain just might serve you up a glass of his own organic cider made using their traditional cider press. Then settle down for the night beside the dovecote's generous fireplace.

Tel: +33 (0) 2 32 80 14 24; www.le-colombier.net

5) Go on a Norman safari

Hidden amongst the hills, rocks, waterfalls and lush vegetation of the natural Normandy landscape are the animals of the Cerza wildlife park. Make your visit an overnight adventure by staying in one of the park's very own eco-friendly safari lodges.  Wake up surrounded by nature to the serene scene of the lake and the beautiful bird sanctuary.  Each lodge has its own breathtaking view over the ‘Asian Valleys’ where you can spot Indian rhinos, antelopes and dwarf kangaroos.

www.cerzasafarilodge.com

6) Conquer a Napoleonic coastal fortress

The Famous Five would have had a field day in this Napoleonic fort on the Cotentin Peninsula.  Situated beside the coastal path where coast guards once kept watch over the shores, no doubt scouting out potential smugglers, the 19th century fortress is accessed only by drawbridge. Buffeted by the wind and waves, the fort-turned-guesthouse dominates the cape which looks out across Cherbourg harbour with the breakfast room providing a particularly noteworthy sweeping panoramic view of the sea.

Tel: +33 (0)2 33 23 68 68; Email: chambre.fermanville@cg50.fr

7) Get a leg up with a cottage on stilts

Aim high with these wooden cottages on stilts at the Camping des Etangs in a protected nature area near to Le Marais Vernier in the Regional Nature Park of the Seine in Normandy.  Accommodating up to six people each, the fully-equipped cottages come complete with an uninterrupted view across the lakes of des Etangs.  From the comfort of your cottage, you can expect to spot a huge variety of flora and fauna including migratory birds such as herons, great egrets and grebes, as well as dragonflies and fish.

Tel: +33 (0)2 32 42 46 65; www.ville-pont-audemer.fr

8) Relax in a 12th century bakery

Once upon a time in the west of Normandy, near to the Mont St Michel, there was a very old bread oven.  During harvest time, bread was baked there for the castle farm workers and in the morning, Fidèle, Turbine, Mouton... Unfortunately, this is the where the story breaks off.  According to Monsieur and Madame Régis de Roquefeuil, owners of this delightful two-bedroom cottage in the old bakery, you will need to visit the Domaine de Boucéel to find out what happened next.  As if this wasn't enough to tempt you, the quaint rooms with their antique furniture and the outdoor heated swimming pool in summer definitely should.  

Tel: 33 (0)2 33 48 34 61; www.chateaudebouceel.com

9) Make camp in a traditional gypsy caravan

At the heart of the Seine-Normandy Regional Nature Park, close to a beautiful half-timbered thatched cottage, the "Roulottes des crins d'or" traditional wooden caravans are situated in a horse meadow and have an open view across the Brotonne Forest which covers 7,000 hectares.  In these fully-equipped caravans, you are guaranteed a warm welcome and a wonderful change of scenery for a bohemian stay in the heart of the countryside.

Tel: +33 (0)2 32 57 59 32; www.roulottes-de-campagne.com

10) Find yourself at the top of a tree

In the middle of a vast meadow, set in 25 acres of unspoilt countryside in the beautiful hills of the Perche Regional Nature Park, stands an ancient chestnut tree.  Within the boughs of the tree's branches, perches a five-berth tree house. Spend the night here, cosy and comfortable in the spacious 2-level den, keeping an eye out for wild boar, deer, badgers and foxes who call the Perche countryside their home. Wake to a privileged view across the rolling meadow and take your breakfast on the balcony amongst the flora and fauna. 

Tel: +33 (0)2 33 25 57 96; www.perchedansleperche.com

GETTING THERE

Brittany Ferries and LD Lines run ferry crossings between Normandy and the south of England and Ireland.  

Visit www.ldlines.com or www.brittanyferries.co.uk for timetable details and to book crossings.

For information and news on Normandy, visit www.normandy-tourism.org

Visit Brittany Ferries for ferry to France timetable details and to book crossings.

July 2016