We planned a wonderful trip to Normandy last year and had to cancel. In the meantime the place I found in the heart of cheese country in Notre Dame de Courson has ceased taking guests and I can't seem to find anything in the vicinity. I hate to give up on the area since I have 4 days of day trips planned from there. I can't even find anything in Michelin red guide. The area I'm talking of is south of Lisieux, west of Orbec, east of Livarot, and north of Camembert. Does anyone know of lodging in this area? If not, we may be on to one of the most untouristed spots in France. All recommendations kindly accepted. thanks.

Julie, sorry no recommendations but i always try for Logis-de-france.fr (click on US/UK flag) look like lots of 2 or 3 chimney (yes I know) hotels. These are often little gems and very much private hotels so potentiall y good fun

We stayed at a wonderful farm B&B between Lisieux and Pont Leveque. It is in the countryside surrounded by horse and wheat farms. Our B&B owner in Giverny found it for us but look at Karen Brown's book or website to find it. The name of it is something like Ferme de Rosieries. The owner speaks not a word of English but she is very charming. It is a very old house with maybe four rooms(owner lives in coach house on property), has a thatch roof, and full of collectibles and lovely French antiques. The breakfast was wonderful with fresh fruit, yummy tarts, and a tray of assorted Normandy cheeses. For two of us I think it was perhaps 110 euros but this was four years ago. There are excellent restaurants for dinner in nearby Pont Leveque or Lisieux. Enjoy Normandy!

Julie, I went on the Gites website I used for Normandy and Brittany and found 10 B&B's around Notre Dame de Courson, two were listed in the town. Hope this helps, http://tinyurl.com/yra4cm

Deborah

Julie, it appears you will have to enter the town Notre Dame sur Courson to get to the list. Deborah

sorry, rather de Courson, trying to do too many things at the same time this morning Deborah

Thanks so much for the kind recommendations and suggestions. I'll be following up. It certainly does appear to be an area unblessed (or uncursed, depending upon your viewpoint) with hotels of any size--like 8 to 10 even.

Hi, Julie. If you would consider a "gite" rather than a hotel or B&B (Mme Rigaud does rent for less than a week outside school vacation periods) you might have a look at http://www.normandie-gites-normandy-rentals.com/

We stayed here in the larger house in 2000 and enjoyed it very much. It is just a bit outside the box you describe, just southwest of Livarot, but no more than 15 km or so from Notre-Dame de Courson.

It is a beautiful part of Normandy. Wherever you stay, enjoy!