Family tree
balcony, we drank in the stunning views over the rolling valley as we tucked into our tasty breakfast.
Then it was time to go exploring, so we hired bikes from Motoculture Loisirs in Remalard and had a fantastic afternoon speeding along the cycle ways skirting the lovely forests.
And roads – when we had to use them – were so quiet we felt very safe on two wheels.
Now there are two things boys love – castles and technology – so a visit to the Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant in Falaise was a must. The childhood home of William the Conqueror is a magnificent fortification offering plenty of activities for kids – the tablet devices you’re presented with on arrival help you to see how the castle looked back in his day.
You can even go on a treasure hunt as you move from room to room.
All too soon it was time to climb back down to earth to board the ferry for the crossing back to Blighty.
It certainly was an unusual family break, but we’re all glad we branched out and did something different.
Brittany Ferries’ fares from Portsmouth to Caen cost from £85 each way for a car plus two passengers. Two-berth en suite cabins for overnight crossings start at £21 by day and £42 overnight.
The Perché dans le Perche treehouse near Belloule-Trichard in Normandy sleeps up to five. A seven-night selfcatering stay with welcome basket, sheets and towels starts at €850.
If you fancy a tipple, Calvados is the local brandy distilled from cider and selected apples, with a history going back to 1553.