France hotels

Here are hotel recommendations from our trip to France, May 19-June 1, 2009.

Normandy region — Le Château de Vouilly (phone 33 [0] 02 31 22 08 59, fax 22 90 58), in the town of Vouilly, is a perfect base for visiting the beaches of Normandy and the tapestries of Bayeux.

This lovely, historic country manor house is owned by two gracious hosts, James and Marie Jo Hamel. Beautifully decorated rooms, a generous breakfast and beautiful gardens planted and tended by Marie make this a very special place. €95 (near $136), including breakfast.

The house served as the center for the US Army’s Press Corps during the Normandy Invasion, and pictures of Walter Cronkite and other reporters add to the history of the manor.

Loire Valley — La Croix d’ Étain (2 rue de l’écluse, F; phone 33 [0] 241 956 849, fax 241 180 272), in Grez-Neuville, is a lovely village mansion set in the midst of beautiful gardens on a river. It is a good base for visiting châteaux in the Loire Valley. The village is about 20 kilometers from Angers.

Jacqueline and Auguste Bahuaud, the gracious hosts, served a typical four-course meal, including wine, for €30 ($43). Rooms, including a generous breakfast, run €75-€100.

ROSIE SUNDEEN

Manhattan Beach, CA