About Le Quesnay

  Le Quesnay is a farmhouse built in 1815 (one of the ceiling beams viewable in the lilac bathroom is dated 11th December 1815). It was formerly part of a large estate that has been broken up and sold over the years, but the property as it currently stands still has ten barns in various sizes. As you will see from the Before gallery, the house was little more than a shell when we bought it in 2004, but the farmhouse is now completely finished.

Setting & History

  The house is in Contrières, a village of 400, and was a working farm and major centre of the village for many years - the current mayor, M. Camille, was born just two months before the liberation of France in the salon of the house!

  The village lies between the towns of Coutances, Caen, Cherbourg & St Malo (all of which easily reachable by car), and many of the villagers have vivid memories of WWII. With the D-Day landing beaches only forty minutes to an hour away by car, Le Quesnay is perfectly situated for anyone with an interest in military history.

  The property was bought in January 2004 by us, Geoff & Joanne Nalson, and we emigrated from the UK in April of the same year. After a great deal of hard work (and money!), we feel happy with the house, and are enjoying our new lives. That said, our work isn't done yet - there are still two large barns that we are converting into gîtes, so there is still plenty to be done!