Ferme St-Siméon

Ferme St-Siméon Review

The story goes that this 19th-century manor house was the famed birthplace of Impressionism, and that its park inspired Monet and Sisley, neither of whom would have dismissed the welcoming rich mix of 19th-century elegance and down-home Norman delights inside. Rich fabrics, grand paintings, and Louis Seize chairs are married with rustic antiques, ancient beams, and half-timbered walls, and the result casts a deliciously cozy spell. Guest rooms are opulent, with pastel colors, floral wallpaper, antiques, period accents, and all the modern conveniences. Those in the thatch-roof converted stables are quieter but have less character. Be aware, however, that the high prices have more to do with the hotel's reputation than with the amenities it offers (although spa treatments are among them). Under chef Patrick Ogheard, the sophisticated restaurant specializes in fish; the cheese board does justice to the region, as does the €129 gastronomic menu.