10,000 hectares. That is the size of the forest that starts 200 metres from the house. For scale: half the area of Paris. And all of it on foot from our doorstep, without getting in a car.
In the Orne, most “cottages near the forest” are a 10 or 15-minute drive away. Not here. At La Brochardière, you leave the garden, take the path, and five minutes later you are under the beech trees.
The Andaines Forest is the largest forest massif in Lower Normandy. A state forest, managed by the ONF. Beech, oak, patches of fir. Ponds: étang de la Cour, étang Neuf, étang de la Bagnolette. Heritage: the Pierre Tournoire, the Camp de Bierre, the old Eaux et Forêts boundary stones. Wildlife you can actually see if you go at the right hours: red deer, roe deer, wild boar, sometimes a harrier.
And depending on the season: porcini in September, chanterelles earlier, horn of plenty mushrooms with the first cold spell.
If you come to walk, you will be well served. Here is what starts literally at the house.
1-2 hours, flat, with or without children:
Half-day, proper hiking:
For the serious ones: the GR22 (Paris–Mont-Saint-Michel) passes right by. A comfortable stage on the route: clean bed, hot water, washing machine. We will keep the coffee warm.
The Andaines Forest is a certified FFC mountain-bike area. Over 200 km of marked trails, from family paths to committed enduro. The house has a garage to store bikes safely — and an outdoor water point to clean them.
Other outdoor activities within reach:
Here is what you appreciate after 20 km. A stone fireplace that gives the living room its Norman soul. A bathtub — not an acceptable shower, a real bathtub. A fully equipped kitchen to fry up the day’s mushrooms. An enclosed garden to hang damp clothes and dry the boots. A private washing machine so you do not go home with a bag of laundry.
And fibre internet. To download tomorrow’s GPX tracks without losing your temper.
Couples or friends who want to hike without thinking about logistics. Families with children who need adjustable distances. Riders, mountain bikers, nature photographers. Foragers too — there is a whole season from September to November with their name on it.
What about a dog?
Yes. On a lead in the state forest, free in the enclosed garden. More details on our dedicated dog-friendly holidays page.
And hunting?
As a state forest, driven hunts are organised in season (September to February), weekends only, signposted. On weekdays you have peace.
Best time to come?
April to June for the new light and the flowers. September to November for the colours and the mushrooms. Summer is cooler than you would think — the forest works as natural air conditioning while the rest of France swelters.
Water on the trail?
No marked fountains. We lend insulated bottles — they are in the hallway cupboard.