Within walking distance, a World Heritage tourist attraction gives the family-owned homestead-for-hire an undisputable edge. And that’s the Chateau of Mesnières-en-Bray, a jewel of aristocratic Renaissance architecture, formerly the home of French King Louis XV. A return to a family farm lifestyle. Throughout his second career in global franchising, Robert nurtured this goal. As a former UK apple,
grain and cattle farmer, he recalls that his younger self had resented being tied to his land 24/7 by his crops and livestock. So, in his middle age, he’d turned into a jet-setting businessman to major world capitals developing the franchise model. All was good except that Robert now found himself pining to be re-immersed in nature again! His ideal of rustic life is now our passion to introduce to city dwellers and future generations, to enjoy and cherish. After 20 years of journeying, including to Malaysia where Robert and I had met and become a couple, we found ourselves in Normandy, France, visiting what’s now our Beau Soleil farm-stay. It’s a sprawling 7 acres of green pastures and primeval beech forest with 15th C timber-framed luxe cottage lodgings available for family holidays, group retreats and tourist visits. In English, Beau Soleil translates into our “Place of Beautiful Sunshine” with its position on high ground, and panoramic views of ancient forest, fabled heritage castle, enchanting timber lodgings and unspoilt countryside all around. While France is a travel sweet spot, my British husband also saw advantage in the accessible travel between the channel ports of England and France, to attract both his home crowd and international vacationers. Now that deep-in-nature destinations are hot in our Covid-enduring world, we cater to holiday-makers keen to reconnect with their rural heritage and the origin of their food supply, through sharing our inter-racial personal insights and accommodation offering the comforts of a home-away-from-home. Learning that the fishing port of Dieppe - where ferry services to and from Newhaven in Sussex, England land daily – was only a 20-minute drive away sealed the deal on our purchase of Robert’s dream farm. This year, Mesnieres-en-Bray - a quintessentially charming French village - snagged French Tourism’s coveted 4 flowers or Fleur D’or (Golden Flower) Award, elevating our Normandy hamlet into a must-visit destination. From its rolling green landscape dotted with antiquated cottages, barns, churches, castles and manors, to a stunning coastline of chalk and limestone cliffs overlooking historic WW II D-Day beaches and picture-perfect seaside resorts, our chosen French duchy of Normandy is a winner. Few other places can offer such a variety of historic, cultural and enchantingly picturesque tourist highlights and the best news is, most attractions are not more than a half-hour drive away from Beau Soleil. By the way, has this Malaysian foodie mentioned that Normandy is also well-known for having some of the best Michelin-starred dining spots in France? The flavours of the region range from coastal to country. Think fresh seashell, crab and fish as well as the hearty seafood broth, Marmite Dieppoise, originating from Dieppe. Its abundance of farmland from which its prize-winning cows often stray to block country roads, give rise to the region’s 4 uniquely soft, buttery cheeses in Pont-l-Eveque, Livarot, Neufchatel and Camembert cheeses, often enjoyed before dessert and paired with the delicious apple cider and apple brandy or Calvados, that it famously produces. The capital of Normandy from medieval times is the heritage town of Rouen, dubbed the city with a hundred bells chiming in the air, because of its countless churches. Storied eateries there include French/vegetarian/vegan restaurant Le 6e Sens in an authentic 18th Century cellar with vaulted ceilings and the old-world French creperie La Cornaelle on Robec St. I can go on … but I have a better idea. Why not book a holiday with us and from Beau Soleil, it’ll only take a 25-minute drive to see all these sights, and taste all those delicacies, as mentioned, for yourself. You can book through Airbnb search for Beau Soleil or book direct with us and saves the 3rd party fee via [email protected]
