La Moderation sits in the hamlet of Vaudrimesnil in the heart of the countryside in the Manche department of Normandy. The air is fresh and clear, the night sky is as black as can be. Without the effects of streetlights the stars really shine, and almost the only sounds are those of a few ducks and geese with the occasional cow. The closest small town of Periers is a charming market town barely two miles to the north with all basic amenities within it?s small square. The house is convenient for Caen (60 mins.), Bayeux (45 mins.), St. Lo (30 mins.), the Normandy Landing Beaches (45 mins.), Cherbourg (60 mins.), Mont St. Michel (under 1 1/2 hours) and Paris (under 3 hours). If you arrive at other entry points, Le Havre is about 2 hours away and Calais and the Channel Tunnel about 4 ,1/2 hours

We use the house ourselves and it is our much loved second home. Consequently it is furnished to a much higher standard than most "Gites" and it contains most of the facilities and gadgetry which you would expect to find in a large family home.

The interior of the house is decorated to a high standard. On the ground floor the accommodation comprises. Entrance hall with ;bathroom containing, shower, washbasin, washing machine, tumble dryer and W.C. large lounge and large kitchen/dining room both rooms have French windows, beamed ceilings. The lounge has a wood burning fire and is well furnished with comfortable seating for up to eight people; The kitchen is fully equipped with everything you could possibly require including full size oven and hob and big American style fridge freezer with ice maker. First floor, one huge double bedroom with wardrobes, bedside cabinets, lamps and a full size cot. One smaller double bedroom with double bed etc and one twin bedroom. Main bathroom with bath/shower twin washbasins and WC.

The house is equipped with colour TV (English programming from the Channel Islands), DVD, Video, Radio, CD and cassette player with tapes and DVD?s plus jigsaws, games, books etc. There is garden furniture table, chairs and an umbrella plus a barbeque. There is also ample parking space for two / three cars.

The Departement of Manche, with its neighbours Calvados, Eure, Orne and Seine Maritime are awash in the history of France inextricably intertwined with that of England for almost a thousand years. The Normandy Landing Beaches, particularly the Mulberry harbour at Arromanches, the Caen and Utah beach memorials and the many American and Commonwealth Cemeteries dotted throughout the region behind the invasion beaches are an absolute must to anyone with an interest in the Second World War.

They are also wonderful beaches of firm sand in their own right as are the miles of unspoilt beaches on the west coast which are even closer to the house, perfect for swimming and leisure pursuits. From ages past, the Bayeux Tapestry is very interesting and well worth the cost of admission. If you enjoy beautiful scenery, wonderful food and wine, it is it all around you and within easy reach on the wonderfully deserted roads

Don't forget too the gastronomic wonders of the region. Normandy is the heart of the French dairy industry which is why so many great cheses come from here Calvados, Pommeau, Camembert, Brie, Livarot and Pont L'Eveque are manufactured locally, and there are plenty of opportunities to visit and taste. The seafood is fantastic and safe. Oysters, cockles, mussels, clams, whelks, crab, lobster and all manner of fish etc. are all caught off the coast and are always fresh and cheap. There are many local restaurants to choose from, all excellent value. The seafood ones are particularly recommended.