Some cosy homes perfectly embody the spirit of home sweet home. The kind of places where you dream of unpacking your bags for three days, sharing a bottle of chilled cider, padding around in slippers and putting the world to rights by the fire. Nestled in the bucolic countryside of the Pays d’Auge, La Roquerie Farmhouse feels like being welcomed into the home of good friends. Your new friends happen to be Aurélie Debiève, a former marketing director with a wealth of experience in the world of luxury (Hermès, LVMH and more), and Bastien de Changy, a chef inspired by the surrounding countryside who, after just a few months in the area, has already become friends with all the local producers. Magazine-worthy country-house interiors, delicious food, cloud-soft beds and even two adorable little goats in the garden: what's not to love?
Anglo-Norman Chic
Forget the bland beige interiors of cookie-cutter hotels: Aurélie takes her decorating very seriously! From the living room to the seven individually designed bedrooms, via the kitchen, every detail has been carefully considered to create a joyful sense of harmony, where wallpaper prints play off the textures of the duvets and the colours of the furniture.
In the bathroom, soap is presented on a tiny silver tray, while the entrance to La Roquerie is lined with wicker baskets and wellies in every size, ready to borrow. Like something straight out of a grand London department store, the Christmas tree adds an extra touch of magic beside the magnificent stone fireplace. Nearby, guests can while away the hours playing cards or chess. Everything feels as though it has always been there: that's the magic of a woman with impeccable taste… and one whose decorating ideas we're more than happy to borrow.
A Convivial Guest Table
The real pleasure of La Roquerie lies in being looked after. This is more than just a room reservation: it's an invitation to share a certain art of living, with the guest table at the heart of the experience. At the helm, private chef Bastien de Changy creates generous, instinctive dishes inspired by the seasons and guided by a soil-to-plate philosophy. Ingredients from the garden and neighbouring farms meet the flavours of the Normandy region, with colourful salads, freshly caught fish and beautifully roasted poultry among the highlights.
The idea? To rediscover the joy of long, leisurely meals, dishes passed around the table and conversations that flow so effortlessly you lose track of time. It's an experience to be shared every Friday evening, when guests gather to celebrate the start of their stay. Visits run from Friday to Sunday, always for two nights. On Saturday, for example, you might book a table in a nearby village or head to the beach to pick up some fresh seafood. Be quick if you'd like to book: only a handful of rooms remain available before the house closes in early January for three months. See you again in spring!
Guesthouse stays run from Friday to Sunday for two nights, with occasional exceptions (please enquire by email at contact@laroquerie.com). Exclusive-use bookings are available any day of the week, with a minimum stay of two nights. Friday-to-Sunday stays start at €458 for two nights.
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