Manoir De La Gauguinier | 4-Bedroom Villa with Spa in Doville

When you arrive in Doville, Normandy, the 16th-century fortified manor house known as Manoir De La Gauguinier reveals itself gradually—first the defensive tower, then the distinctive chimney stacks, finally the river that runs along its 2.5 hectares of grounds. This is a luxury villa rental in Doville that anchors you to centuries of French architectural history while offering every contemporary comfort for a group of up to nine guests.

The countryside surrounding this property moves slowly. Cattle graze in neighbouring fields. The river sounds different at dawn than it does at dusk. You’ll understand why American forces during Operation Cobra chose this location as a water supply point—the land holds something essential.

Inside Manoir De La Gauguinier

Manoir De La Gauguinier sleeps 9 guests across 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The ground floor contains a substantial twin bedroom positioned within the property’s historic tower, featuring an ensuite bathroom, antique wrought iron furnishings, and Louis XIV-period cabinetry. This room alone justifies the location—waking to river views through period-accurate windows feels like stepping into a painting.

The main kitchen commands the heart of daily life. A substantial U-shaped work surface runs the length of one wall, flanked by professional-grade appliances: dual fridge-freezer units, double oven, gas hob, dishwasher, microwave, and every small appliance you’d expect (kettle, toaster, mixer). Cooking here becomes more than necessity—it becomes ceremony. Natural light floods from multiple angles, and the room opens directly onto the dining space.

The dining room features an original granite fireplace that dates to the manor’s construction. The sitting room, separated by a stone archway, contains 18th-century furnishings in Louis XIII style, with a second fireplace built from period stone. Here, a satellite television and DVD player nestle within an antique Henri II dresser—modern convenience respecting period authenticity. This combination of rooms creates natural gathering spaces for groups that span generations.

Upper floor bedrooms number three. The first twin bedroom occupies a corner position with a 17th-century coffer, working fireplace, and an ensuite bathroom positioned in the tower. The second offers a dressing room with substantial storage (chest of drawers), twin beds, and bathroom access. The third twin bedroom includes an armoire for hanging garments and shares bathroom facilities with the dressing room bedroom.

All four bathrooms include heating and contemporary fixtures. The laundry facilities—washing machine, clothes dryer, and ironing station—occupy a separate annex building, keeping household maintenance operations discreet.

Climate control splits between ground and upper floors. Underfloor heating warms the primary living spaces; traditional radiator heating serves the upper bedrooms. Fireplaces in the dining room and sitting room provide supplementary warmth and authentic ambiance during cooler months.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The river-facing courtyard terrace functions as the property’s social hub. Garden furniture arrangement allows various group configurations—intimate conversations or larger gatherings. A built-in barbecue enables al fresco cooking. From this vantage point, the river bends gently, tree coverage rises on the opposite bank, and the property’s private grounds extend in multiple directions.

The 2.5 hectares surrounding the manor provide exploration space. Boules and pétanque courts occupy prepared ground near the main building. Fishing access to the river is direct from the property—the water quality remains excellent for both sport fishing and simply sitting with a book while watching light play across the surface. The grounds support walking paths that wind through mixed woodland and cleared meadow.

Wi-Fi connectivity reaches throughout the property and outdoor areas, allowing remote workers to maintain schedules without isolation. The working fireplace in the sitting room operates year-round, though primarily during autumn and winter months when evening temperatures drop.

Location: Doville and the Surrounding Area

Doville itself is a small collection of farmsteads and scattered houses—genuinely rural. The closest substantial town, La Haye du Puits, sits 5km away and hosts a lively Wednesday morning market overflowing with local produce: cheeses from the Normandy dairy belt, vegetables from intensive polytunnel farming, baked goods from regional boulangeries, and fresh fish from coastal catches. The town centre contains over 100 retail shops, three supermarkets, and multiple restaurants ranging from casual crêperies to conventional dining establishments.

The Manche department—where this luxury villa rental in Doville is situated—opens access to remarkable natural environments. The Marais natural park, reachable within 15 minutes driving, protects wetland habitats supporting crested cranes, herons, and occasionally wild boar populations in the Mont d’Etenclin hills. Cycling routes and walking trails crisscross the marshland, offering opportunities to observe wildlife during seasonal migrations. Deer, goats, and smaller mammals inhabit the agricultural boundaries. Our villas in Manche all benefit from proximity to these protected landscapes.

Portbail, positioned 15km north, functions as a working fishing harbour with a 13th-century arched bridge and adjacent 12th-century church. Ferry services operate to the Channel Islands (Guernsey, Jersey) for day-trip exploration. Sailing clubs and windsurfing schools operate from this location during warmer months. The harbour restaurants source seafood directly from daily catches.

Utah Beach and Ste-Mère-Église, approximately 35km and 25km distant respectively, represent World War II heritage sites that attract educational visitors and history enthusiasts. The beaches themselves stretch for kilometres, supporting swimming, sandboarding, and traditional seaside activities. Cherbourg, 40km south, contains an 18-hole championship golf course, multiple cultural museums, and ferries to England’s south coast. Secondary golf courses operate at Barneville-Carteret and Agon-Coutainville, both within 30km.

Coutances, 36km southeast, showcases Romanesque cathedral architecture and medieval town planning. The Abbaye de Blanchelande, a Benedictine monastery ruin, stands just 3.5km away and welcomes visitors interested in monastic architecture and regional religious history. For comprehensive destination context, review our Normandy travel guide. You can also explore our luxury villas in Doville and browse our full collection in France for additional options.

The nearest airport is Cherbourg-Manche (45km), serviced by regional carriers with connections to Paris Orly and other major European hubs. Transfer time by car runs approximately 50 minutes. More substantial international connections operate through Paris Charles de Gaulle (approximately 4.5 hours driving) and Southampton, UK (ferry-accessible from Cherbourg in 4 hours).

Who This Villa Suits Best

Multi-generational family gatherings find natural accommodation here. Four separate bedrooms mean parents, grandparents, adult children, and teenage guests maintain private sleeping spaces while sharing communal kitchen and dining facilities. The expansive grounds reduce noise concerns between generations—elderly guests enjoying quiet reading while younger members explore the river or play boules.

Groups of friends planning rural retreats benefit from the scale and privacy. The sitting and dining rooms operate independently, allowing subgroups to occupy different spaces without isolation. The working fireplace becomes a gathering point during cooler seasons.

Couples seeking extended stays discover that four bedrooms and four bathrooms mean potential for hosting visiting family mid-stay without compression. The primary tower bedroom offers particular appeal for couples prioritising views and privacy.

Remote workers with flexible schedules find the Wi-Fi connectivity and quiet working environment suitable for extended stays. The sitting room’s writing desk and natural light support focused work without requiring formal office setup.

Fishing enthusiasts value direct river access and the 2.5-hectare grounds that enable extended exploration. The property’s historical designation as a water supply point indicates year-round water quality suitable for recreation.

Practical Information

Capacity: 9 guests maximum across 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.

Bedroom breakdown: One ground-floor twin (tower location with ensuite), three upper-floor twins with ensuite and shared bathroom configurations.

Nearest airport: Cherbourg-Manche, 45km away, approximately 50 minutes driving time.

Nearest supermarket: La Haye du Puits, 5km away (Carrefour and Leclerc branches operate in this town).

Included amenities: Wi-Fi internet throughout property and grounds, all utilities (heating, hot water, electricity), fully-equipped kitchen, satellite television, DVD library, working fireplaces, laundry facilities, garden furniture, boules and pétanque equipment, barbecue, river fishing access.

Pet policy: Pets accepted on request—advance notice required to confirm specific arrangements.

Check-in flexibility: Standard check-in times apply, though flexible arrangements may be negotiated for groups with documented travel difficulties.

Frequently Asked Questions about Manoir De La Gauguinier

How many guests does Manoir De La Gauguinier sleep?

Manoir De La Gauguinier accommodates 9 guests maximum across 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The ground floor contains one twin bedroom with ensuite bathroom. The upper floor provides three twin bedrooms with various bathroom configurations. All beds consist of twin configurations rather than double beds, suiting groups where guests prefer separate sleeping arrangements.

What is the nearest airport to Manoir De La Gauguinier in Doville?

Cherbourg-Manche Airport lies 45km from the property, approximately 50 minutes’ driving time by standard car. This regional airport receives flights from Paris Orly, Nantes, and other French cities. International guests typically transit through Paris Charles de Gaulle (4.5-hour drive) or Southampton Airport across the Channel, with ferry services operating from Cherbourg harbour.

What is the best time of year to rent Manoir De La Gauguinier?

Summer months (June through August) offer warmest weather, longest daylight hours, and full operation of water sports facilities at Portbail and coastal beaches. May and September provide moderate temperatures, reduced accommodation pressure, and excellent conditions for walking and cycling through the Marais natural park. Spring (April-May) brings migratory bird populations to the wetlands. Autumn (September-October) delivers dramatic cloud formations and working fireplaces become genuinely useful rather than decorative. Winter visitors should expect shorter daylight and cooler temperatures, though significantly fewer tourists.

Is Manoir De La Gauguinier suitable for families with children?

Yes, this luxury villa rental in Doville accommodates families across multiple age ranges. The 2.5-hectare grounds provide safe exploration space away from roads. Boules and pétanque equipment entertains children and adults equally. The river enables supervised paddling and fishing instruction. Nearby beaches at Utah and Omaha offer traditional seaside activities (swimming, sandcastle building, rockpooling). La Haye du Puits, 5km away, contains a public swimming pool open during summer months. The property lacks a dedicated children’s play structure, so families with very young children should bring portable equipment. No elevator service connects ground and upper floors—families with mobility limitations should book ground-floor bedrooms only.

What is included in the rental price at Manoir De La Gauguinier?

The rental price includes all utilities (heating, hot water, electricity), Wi-Fi internet access throughout the property and grounds, fully-equipped kitchen with all appliances and cookware, satellite television and DVD library, working fireplaces, laundry facilities (washing machine, dryer, ironing station), garden furniture on the terrace, boules and pétanque equipment, barbecue grill, river fishing access, and standard household linens and towels. Additional charges may apply for pet accommodation (requires advance approval), supplementary cleaning services beyond standard departure cleaning, or energy consumption exceeding standard usage rates during winter months.

What restaurants and shops are near Manoir De La Gauguinier?

La Haye du Puits, 5km away, hosts a Wednesday morning market with local produce, cheese, and baked goods. The town centre contains three supermarkets (Carrefour, Leclerc branches operate here), approximately 100 retail shops, and numerous restaurants ranging from casual crêperies to formal dining establishments. Portbail, 15km north, operates harbour-based seafood restaurants drawing from daily fishing catches. Coutances, 36km southeast, contains traditional French bistros and regional restaurants. Cherbourg, 40km distant, offers the broadest restaurant selection including Michelin-listed establishments and international cuisines.