Short breaks - Normandy, France - Auberge de l'Abbaye, Bec Hellouin

Deep in some of Normandy's most lyrical countryside lies delightful Bec-Hellouin with its magnificent abbey. This classic inn is one of our great favourites, the perfect venue for a romantic weekend away. Inside the handsome half-timbered auberge, the welcoming Fabrice and Catherine Conroux have created a warm, intimate feel, the highly-polished, creaky timber of the restaurant recalling centuries past.

The classic regional cuisine deserves its excellent reputation - opt for some of the dishes with creamy sauces enriched with cider or calvados featured on the 3-course menu. Afterwards, relax in the small lounge, or in the courtyard in summer. There are just nine traditional-style bedrooms, the twin rooms being the largest, so book early.

• 9 bedrooms • Le Havre 39 miles, Dieppe 62 miles, Calais 150 miles

Around and about

• Bec Hellouin's abbey, museum of mechanical instruments and village church
• the Seine valley, especially the abbey at Jumièges, the church at Caudebec-en-Caux, the Victor Hugo museum at Villequier, and the castle in the pretty village of Les Andelys
• the historic city of Rouen, characterised by cobbled streets and ancient houses. The Musée des Beaux Arts is one of the best outside Paris
• famous Honfleur and Deauville
• gardens such as those at the Château du Champ de Bataille (we give full details about all the gardens worth visiting in Normandy in our documentation)

We provide more detailed information about what to see and do, including suggestions as to where to buy food and wine to take home, in the documentation sent out to you when you book.

Prices for 2008

Prices are in £ per person based on a minimum of 2 adults travelling together and sharing a double or twin room, and vary according to the number of people in the party. They include 2 nights' accommodation in a room with a bath or shower and wc, dinner & breakfast each day, and a return crossing with P&O Ferries Dover-Calais for your party travelling in one car. If you are travelling between 23 May and 1 June or between 25 July and 7 September inclusive, a supplement of £30 per car per single journey applies for weekend travel (Friday and Saturday for outward travel and Saturday and Sunday for return travel). We can also offer other crossings and operators – including Folkestone-Calais Coquelles with Eurotunnel – so please contact us for prices. The single room supplement is per person per night and must be added to the holiday price for the third and fifth party members. Maximum stay 4 nights.

Closed Tuesdays 1 Mar-31 Oct and Wednesdays 1-31 Mar & 1-31 Oct.

Included on your second night (and any subsequent nights bought at the full extra night price) is an open choice from the à la carte menu

INNTRAVEL OFFERS: stay a 3rd night FREE on B&B (pay locally for dinner), 1-17 Mar, 27-29 Mar &
1-31 Oct. Book 3 nights and stay a 4th night free on B&B (pay locally for dinner), 30 Mar-30 Sep.
Other extra nights as priced.

Auberge de l'Abbaye

Pretty 3-star auberge in historic village

Around and about

Prices for 2008