Situated in Normandy in the heart of the Pays d’Auge, not far from Deauville and only 10 minutes from the A13 motorway, our gîte, La Vie de Cocagne, is an 18th century timber-framed stable that has been totally renovated in keeping with the local architecture and retaining original features. Opening onto the beautiful surrounding countryside adds to its enormous charm.

We made a few changes to the decor in December 2024 and January 2025.

The gîte is decorated in a style that brings together the idea of a family home (antique furniture, hunted-down artefacts, Farrow & Ball paintwork) with contemporary necessities (stainless steel kitchen appliances, wifi, flat screen TV, Sonos sounder, heated jacuzzi).

A tiny road will bring  you there, far from the noisy contemporary world. La Vie de Cocagne is due to be a heaven of calm, comfort, and delights, offering a small green retreat in this beautiful part of Normandy called « Le pays d’Auge ». 

The rounded landscape, with its manor-houses, half-timbered houses, and apple orchards, make up the picture postcard scene. A richly authentic land where the horse is king, the Pays d’Auge is the first region of France for Horse Breeding.

La Vie de Cocagne is much more than a gite: it is your secondary house for the length of your stay, so make yourself at home!

Living area with cathedral ceiling

This space is suffused with natural light and opens onto the garden, the terraces, the jacuzzi and the surrounding fields. Close by is the meadow home of our donkeys Chocolat and Kitty.

The atmosphere in the living room was revamped in December 2024 just before the festive season: a new green on the wall around the large mirror, a lovely ‘Chestnut Leaves’ stretched fabric by Rose Cumming, distributed by Casa Lopez Fabrics and displayed like a large moulded frame, and a beautiful 19th century chest of drawers with a marble top.

The furnishings include two chestnut glazed sofas, four Napoleon III armchairs, a wood burner, a large flat screen TV, an Apple TV with free access to Netflix, Prime Video, a Sono dock. Wifi access is free.

The dining room

The dining room adjoins the kitchen and the living area and opens onto the terrace.
The dining space seats a maximum of six people.
A baby chair can be provided if required.

The Dining Room was given a new look in December 2024: a new Farrow & Ball green on the wall, and a very beautiful ‘Chestnut Leaves’ stretched fabric by Rose Cumming, distributed by Casa Lopez Fabrics and staged as a large moulded frame, framed by two pilasters. The wall fabric is also used in the living room.

The kitchen

Fully equipped with two slate counters, stainless steel appliances (refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, Owen, washing machine,  filter coffee machine, Nespresso machine, toaster, kettle, mixer), the kitchen has all you might need.

A large glass-fronted mirror that was previously in the grey bedroom has been moved into the kitchen.

The bedrooms

The gîte has two main bedrooms with private bathroom on the ground floor and one guest bedroom upstairs (toilet and hand-wash basin but no bathroom).

The two bedrooms were redecorated in January 2025.

East side, the Yellow Bedroom

The chocolate bedroom room became the yellow bedroomroom in December 2024, just before the festive season.

A Nobilis wall fabric with large ecru and yellow stripes was hung on the wall behind the bed, and the headboard was covered in the same fabric, adding warmth to the room. It has quality 160 cm bedding, gilded porcelain wall lights, lamps and bedside tables, a wardrobe, antique Marrakesh prints, a small Louis XVI pouffe and a Napoleon III armchair, lined linen curtains, a Beniouarain rug and sea rush on the floor.

There is a private bathroom with a large slate tiled shower, towels, bathrobes and bedroom slippers.  Shower gel, shampoo and hair conditioner are also provided.

Through the window you can gaze upon the meadow, home to our donkeys Chocolat and Kitty.

West side, the Blue bedroom

The grey bedroom became the blue bedroom in January 2025.

Two fabrics in different Jane Churchill stripes were hung on the walls. The wardrobe was covered in the same fabric. Double blackout curtains in “toile de joy” fabric have replaced the previous curtains.

The room is furnished with quality 160 cm bedding, two Sarah Lavoine bedside tables and lamps, black metal sconces, a small Napoleon III chair covered in the same fabric, a wardrobe, a set of antique engravings framed in gilded wood, a Beniouarain rug and a sea rush on the floor.

A private bathroom with a slate tiled shower; towels, bathrobes and bedroom slippers are provided along with shower gel, shampoo and hair conditioner.

The view is onto the garden of grasses.

Upstairs, the Guests or Kids bedroom

Here you will find one 90cm bed with Louis XVI headboard,  Sarah Lavoine reading lamps, 19th century portraits, poufs, a 19th century decorative screen, bedside drawers, seagrass floor covering. It is comfortable for kids but less for adults as the ceiling is not very high. This said, it may be convenient for an adult guest for one night.

Private toilet with hand basin. No bathroom.

The room looks out over the lime tree alley.

All bed linen is provided as well as towels and bathrobes.
A cot and baby bath are of course available upon request.

The garden

You will have your own southwest facing private garden at La Vie de Cocagne giving you the opportunity to benefit from the sun all day. The peaceful “Pastor-style” garden combines white flowers, box and grasses and offers a clear view of the meadow and the surrounding Normandy countryside. The lack of noise or visual disturbance brings a sense of calm and tranquillity.

The two terraces

Our charming gîte has two wooden terraces : the one close to the living room where you will find the Softub jacuzzi, two sun loungers and an umbrella. The second terrace has two iroko garden benches and a table as well as a table that seats a maximum of 6 people for outdoor dining and a large umbrell. Also provided is a Weber gas barbecue.

Private parking

Access to the property is via a secure remote-controlled electronic gate and there is automatic external lighting.

La Vie de Cocagne is surrounded by horse stud farms. The village of Bonnebosq, on the ‘Cider Route’, is only 5 minutes by car or 10 minutes on foot. There you will find all you need for your stay (butcher, grocer, baker, paper shop, pharmacy, florist, bric-a-brac boutique).

Around our charming Normandy gîte you can discover the country lanes and pathways, timber-framed farm buildings and manors, orchards and equine stud farms as well as the lovely villages of Beaumont en Auge, Cambremer and Beuvron en Auge.

During your stay in Normandy you will find yourself relaxing into this land of milk and honey which continues to produce its famous cheeses (Pont l’Evêque, Camembert and Livarot), ciders and calvados, crème fraiche and of course we must not forget the magnificent local seafood.

Only a few kilometers from our gîte you can reach the wonderful Côte Fleurie (flowered coast) along which you will find Deauville and its celebrated boardwalk, historic Honfleur and its old port, Trouville and its famous seafood market. These three iconic locations allow you to enjoy the Normandy coastline at any time of the year with its boutiques, restaurants, markets, sporting and cultural activities.