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French Connections arranges special-interest holidays in France, such as painting, walking, climbing, horse riding, and language tuition. The majority of their houses in Normandy are owned by private individuals. The website carries full descriptions and photographs of each property, and, where possible, provides links with the owner’s own website.

The Fédération Nationale des Gîtes de France was set up in the 1950s to promote country holidays. Today, it has more than 2,000 classified properties in Normandy, mostly rural cottages, and should be the first stop for anyone planning a self-catering holiday.

Celebrated for its association with Marcel Proust, who spent his childhood holidays here and famously described the dining room as an aquarium, this huge white edifice is still redolent of its belle époque heyday, with vast rooms and balconies. The front faces the town, while the rear opens onto the beach.

Affordable and unpretentious, this château hotel has a luxurious interior, with light, airy bedrooms.

A traditional stone-built inn in the centre of this unspoilt market town.

Situated on the outskirts of Bernay, and providing views over attractive countryside, this hotel has the same tranquil atmosphere as the town. It also has the distinction f having sound-proofed bedrooms.

This long-established hostelry on the banks of the Iton has characterful bedrooms, and a welcoming restaurant.

In the seaside port renowned for its superb milk, butter and crème fraîche is this comfortable and welcoming small hotel. Its restaurant wins a Bib Gourmand from Michelin for good food at moderate prices.

La Marine is well known for its Michelin-starred restaurant with splendid views over the harbour from its picture windows, but since it is close to all the superb beaches of the Cotentin Peninsula’s west coast, it also makes a good base for a seaside holiday. Ask for a room with a sea view.

An inexpensive, endearing hotel overlooking a quiet, tree-filled square. The owner is an artist; her paintings and sculptures decorate the ground floor, while the bedrooms are being redecorated in bright colours with her frescoes on the ceilings.