Saint-Maclou

Set in the stunning countryside of Upper Normandy in northern France, is the lovely little village of Saint Maclou. Tiny as it is, there are two chateaux within the town, and stunning ones at that. The 17th-century Saint-Maclou-la Campagne is the perfect place to let the children run around its vast, manicured gardens, after finding out all about its dramatic past of course. There’s also the Chateau du Mont. Although this is a private residence, the grounds are open to the public every Saturday from June to September. Saint Maclou is petite, but it does have a wonderful local restaurant serving scrumptious French fare, and it’s the perfect place to explore the stunning Normandy region. Known for producing Calvados cider, and world-renowned cheese, make the most of visiting the local farms for a taste of heaven. And for a wonderful day trip, visit the nearby harbour town of Honfleur. Popular with Impressionist painters, its photogenic port is inspiring. And on a Saturday it hosts a wonderful market to stock up on all that local cheese and Calvados..