Recommendations wanted - Northern France (Normandy?) with 1 year old

[MuffinMclay]

Self-catering. Ideally a detached house. Must be baby friendly - have highchair, cot (not a travel cot), not too many steps, etc. With a reasonable kitchen - dh likes to spend a lot of time cooking when in France (and I like to do as litle as possible).

We're looking to go in May (not half-term week).

I thought you were looking for recommendations for things to do so I'll say you must go to the Aquarium in St Malo it is fantastic. As for house, the one we got was pretty naf so I won't even go there.

...or websites that specialise in that sort of thing. I love the babyfriendlyboltholes website, but want something with a bit more privacy and seclusion than their France properties.

Just looking for somewhere to stay at the moment. I've looked at lots of places (Brittany ferries etc) but nothing takes my fancy, or is booked, or doesn't have baby facilities.

The Aquarium is already on my list of must sees. I do like St Malo - stayed there many years ago.

No good at links but go to
www.gites-de-france.com (in English). You can search by region and they also have some gites that are marked as specifically baby friendly. We have used them alot and always book one with 3 ears of corn.

I'll go and check those out right now. Thanks

I've tried that site a couple of times this eveniing but it is so slow. Looks interesting though.

There's a site called somethign like tots to france which specialises in being child friendly.

Try this one:
www.babygoes2.com/g_france_nord.asp
and these:
www.relaxinfranceonline.com/normbab.htm

both got loads of baby eqpt.

Unfortunately it doesn't quite do what it says on the tin but normandywithkids.com should have some useful links....

Arrrgggghhhh! This is driving me nuts.

None are quite right (I know I'm being far too fussy)

The Normandy with Kids one doesn't have anything self-catering

France with tots only has houses in the wrong bit of France (doesn't work with out travel plans)

The other 2 sites only have gites in complexes with other gites. I know it sounds horrible, but I don't want to see and hear other peoples' children when I'm on holiday. My own is bad enough (I love him to bits but he has been a nightmare today)

This one has a wooden cot and other kids stuff:
www.frenchleave.com/lacour.htm

This also has a proper cot:
www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/FR600.htm

this? We went in February, there is definately a cot. Just ask if you want to know anything else.

ChippyMinton - that one looks OK. Its the best available one I've seen by a long way (and very cheap). Was it comfortable? If we can't go out in the evenings (due to ds) I want somewhere nice to relax. Will run it by dh later.

Definately comfortable (rather than luxurious) - the lounge is huge, with a massive log fire. Garden is just a field really, think there was a BBQ. Just in terms of baby-friendlyness, you may want consider that:
there is a small pond in the garden.
the staircase has open treads and is off the kitchen, so tricky to isolate it if your baby is a climber.
Although the kitchen table has church pews, there are a couple of chairs too, that you could attach a portable highchair seat to.
Decent supermarkets and small town a few minutes drive away.
We had a very relaxing time there, didn't eat out so i can't give you any recommendations, but the kitchen is fairly well equipped.

we're going here in august so i can't tell you excacly what it is like but it does have a cot! near to bayeaux and the coast.

Thanks for all the ideas. We were a bit limited for choice because we've left it so late (going next week). Finally found a place that looks great in Brittany through ownersdirect (thanks for the tip Puffling).