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Near the atmospheric old town, this plain, friendly hotel is close to shops, restaurants and casino.

If you want to inject a little romance into your life, spend a couple of days at this seductive riverside mill, with rooms full of character, set in the beautiful, unspoilt Perche countryside. There is also a glorious mature garden to enjoy.

The first UK specialist tour operator for the region has been in business for more than 20 years. Their brochure features 120 or so self-catering country houses and cottages, many near the sea and many half-timbered in typical rustic Norman style.

With its rambling timber-framed façade, the Normandy has the air of a quaint Norman cottage built for a giant. Inside, there are chandeliers and columns, an indoor swimming pool around which breakfast is served, and a handy underground passage leading to the Casino – which happens to belong to the same hotel and leisure group (it also owns Bar de la Mer and Bar du Soleil on the seafront promenade).

This French website, where private owners advertise their homes for holiday rental, can be accessed in English. The emphasis is on quality, not quantity. The majority of the properties are handsome half-timbered Norman cottages or farmhouses.

With its grand hall dressed strikingly in red, its glamorous panelled restaurant, and its outdoor swimming pool and terrace, the Royal is the perfect Deauville hotel for anyone who wishes to see and be seen. Discreet, no; flashy and fun, yes.

Occupying a handsome building with origins in the 13th century, this welcoming town-centre hotel makes an excellent base for exploring the Perche.

Although recently modernized, this ivy-festooned 16th-century Norman farmhouse in a peaceful hamlet retains its charming beams and bare stone walls. If the thoughtful, well-presented menus downstairs tempt you to stay overnight, the bedrooms are very comfortable.

A UK-based tour operator of more than 30 years standing, VFB pioneered the rental of French gîtes in Britain. They also offer cross-channel travel deals.

Based in Lancashire in the UK, Welcome Cottages is a branch of Welcome Holidays Ltd. It offers a selection of properties, from modern bungalows to conversions of interesting old buildings. The user-friendly website features exterior and interior shots of each property, as well as detailed descriptions and location maps.