Gîte Lisieux avec jardin et parking

This is a charming small gite forming part of a single-storey coach-house, which has a good private terrace with brick barbecue as well as off-road parking. Inside it's neat and compact (perhaps a bit on the small side for four people as the sofa bed would take up most of the lounge area), with a functional kitchen that has a dual-function microwave, two induction hob rings, coffee-maker, and a fridge freezer. The shower room is small, and also houses the washing machine, but it all worked fine. We were cycle touring, so the washing machine was an essential for us to avoid having to carry too much luggage. All the windows have exterior electrically operated shutters, which was great when we stayed as the weather was very hot. The adjoining gite also belongs to the same hosts, so a larger party could rent both spaces.

The gite is within easy walking distance of the railway station and the town centre. Lisieux offers plenty of nice bars and restaurants, the tourist information office is very helpful, and there's a Monoprix a few streets away for shopping. The cathedral, basilica, and the municipal museum are all well worth a visit. Bring maps and head out of town for walking and cycling routes into the country or north up the river valley to the seaside at Deauville/Trouville for seafood platters. Train links to places like Caen and Bayeux are frequent and easy.

Stephanie and Frederic were great hosts who made us very welcome, and were flexible and happy to answer any questions we had. We would definitely stay in their gite again.