Just back from a lovely half term break in Criel sur Mer. The chalet was very well equipped and cosy and perfect for the four of us. It was too nice to use the log fire but were compensated instead by beautiful views and glorious sunsets! We enjoyed our evenings on the balcony watching the sun disappear into the sea!
We travelled about most days but towards the end of the week stayed local to the area and enjoyed the beaches that surround Criel. We had a lovely last night meal at Le Coq Hardi and wish we'd visited sooner!
We would recommend this lovely chalet to anyone who wants to have a relaxing break with not too far to travel from the UK!
Thanks to Amanda for all her helpful and friendly emails.
The Facey Family, Sussex, May 2010
We spent a lovely holiday here enjoyed the peace & quiet. Chalet was as advertised clean & well maintained, cosy & homely. Amanda was more than helpful she kept in touch to make sure all was well, so we had no problems.
We explored the area well found lots of places of interest & thankfully had reasonably good weather, we even tried the local bus which was great as Dieppe parking was very limited.
We would recommend it to our friends young or old as long as they can cope with the steep hills.
All in all a very nice place to stay.
The Laypeyre Family, Lecisestershire, May 2010
We stayed in the chalet for a week in October 2009.
From the start of the booking process to the end of our stay, we could not have wished for any thing more - everything was smooth, efficient and friendly.
The chalet itself was obviously very much loved. It was perfectly clean and extremely well equipped. Having the dish washer was an extra bonus. The shower provided plentiful amounts of lovely hot water.
We loved the view and trying to count the different shades of blue and green in the sea.
We loved the walk up to the top of the headland we could see from the chalet and the strolls down to town for dinner.
The WIFI provision was excellent.
We will definitely be returning and would have total confidence in recommending the chalet to friends and family.
The Heath Family, Woking, Surrey, October 2009
We´ve spent our 10-days-on honeymoon in this charming little chalet in Criel sur Mer and really enjoyed it a lot! The chalet is very well equipped and Criel is a very good place to relax as everything seems to be running a bit slower over there.
You can see the shore from the chalet's terrace and have superb views of the sun setting over the sea! Even the weather was really good and warm for the end of september - we enjoyed strolling along the beach and our 15-months-old daughter was impressed by the millions of pebbles and loved the playground at the beach!
We´ll be back!"
Thanks again, also for the discount vouchers for further bookings - we will definitely come back sooner or later!
Cheers, Jesper & Barabara Steuernagel, Darmstadt, Germany, September 2009
We had a really lovely relaxing week in Criel.
We have been to France many times before but never to this area. We decided to have a cheaper holiday this year using Tesco vouchers for the tunnel and staying at your well-priced chalet a short drive from the Tunnel.
The chalet was so well-equipped and we had all we needed for a really relaxing week - our children aged 6 and 4 were very impressed with the PS2 and the DVD player although we spent most of our time out and about.
The large enclosed garden and outdoor toys were great for the children - my husband and I even managed some time reading our books on the sunbeds as we knew the children were playing safely!
The area is quite untouristy which was lovely as we got to speak lots of French and the pace of life in the area was very slow so it made for a very relaxing time.
There were lots of good restaurants nearby and we tended to go out for lunch and cook in the evening. It was less than 5 minutes to the little village square and we often went down to one of the bars in the early evening for an aperitif.
We really enjoyed eating on the terrace and watching the sunsets and the children loved staying up to watch the bats in the garden as darkness fell.
All in all, we had one of our most restful holidays ever at your chalet and will certainly consider going back again in the future.
With very many thanks,
The Daglish Family,Cheltenham, August 2009
We have had a great time at this well equipped house.
The house is very clean and well supplied with a washing machine/ dryer and dishwasher. There is lots of hot water for the family to have a shower one after the other at any time of the day.
It is a very short walk to the beach. The beach is mainly pebbles but sandy at low tide. There are waves for playing in with the body boards. Also at the beach is a place to play boules, a play area and paddling pool for small children. We tried and enjoyed the food at the two restaurants in the beach area. We also walked along the shore to the restaurant in the next village where they cook the main course over logs in the fire!
We went horse riding at Mers Le Bains along the beach and in the sea, which is a wonderful experience.
There are cyle routes around Criel including on a dis-used railway line. But a little further out, just south of Dieppe is Avenue Verte which is a tarmaced route for cyclists and walkers. We just cycled for 1 hour before turning around and cycling back to the car. It was too warm for going further. It was time to return to the beach. However the scenery was beautiful.
It is easy to cycle to the village for bread and there is a small supermarket for basic supplies and a butcher's where you can get the meat for the bbq.
The English do not seem to stay in this area. We heard some in Rouen but not in the towns around Criel. Good news and a chance to practise the French. They didn't seem to mind if you got it wrong and were happy to try and translate the menu.
There is a fun trail to do with children in Rouen all about Jean of Arc, Crazy golf in Mers le Bain, boat rides from Le Treport, badminton in the garden and always the Playstation a rest inside. The terrace offers views of the sea and the glorious sunsets.
I would recommend staying here. We used the Channel Tunnel with Tesco's vouchers which made it cheap, stopped at Wimereux for lunch and arrived in the afteroon. When the journey is under 2 hours from the tunnel it is relaxing.
We will certainly return some time soon.
The Whittington Family, Surrey, August 2009
We had a wonderful time here and the chalet was cosy, clean, comfortable and very well equipped!
Set in its own large, enclosed garden, it was perfect for our two small children to play and run around safely. The peaceful setting made it an ideal getaway- perfect for families.
Criel itself is a really pleasant town and the location of the chalet, 2 mins from the beach, meant that we were able to walk there easily with the kids and let them play at the nearby playground etc. The local restaurants serve great food and the town itself is close to other resorts (Le Treport, Dieppe)which are easily accessible and great for days out.
We were so lucky with the weather (30degrees) and this only served to make the holiday even more wonderful! We had a super time!
The Higgins Family, Cheshire, August 2009
We've just come back from a lovely week-long stay here. The chalet is absolutely charming and very well-equipped - we felt at home from the minute we arrived.We had the best time, certainly one of our all time favourite holidays.
The washer was a great addition (and the dryer on rainy days), and we all enjoyed the large, safe garden. There are a good selection of toys, games, DVDs and books which help supplement those we'd taken along and kept us all amused. Although the chalet is bijou we never felt crowded when inside.
The location is superb too - there are several good playparks within an easy walk as well as a great children's paddling pool. Our three young children (aged six, four and nearly two) especially loved the nearby beach of Masnil Val - when the tide's out there are large patches of sand and rockpools there.
We ate three times at the local pizzeria (on the owners' recommendations) as well as enjoying two gorgeous quayside lunches in Le Treport and Dieppe (which we particularly loved).
We also drove to Le Crotoy (about an hour away) to ride on the steam train there much to our children's delight.
Having never visited this part of France we were slightly wary but totally fell in love with it. There's so much to do (for every age group) that a week just wasn't long enough.
The weather was mixed but we managed to get to the beach most days as well as eating al-fresco on the terrace and enjoying some gorgeous sunsets.
The Owen Family, London, July 2009
The chalet is really lovely and we can fully recommend this home to everybody who likes to spend his holidays in the Normandy.
The weather was not very good when we were there, but we still managed to barbeque on the terrace two times and have a glass of wine and to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
The washing machine and tumble drier were useful too.
The garden is big and safe for young children. Nice and short walk to the sea front.
We enjoyed our stay despite the weather and had a good time
M Hartmann, Gerrmany, June 2009
From our arrival to departure our family holiday felt as though we were staying in our own place .
When we pulled into the drive on the first day the location and settings matched the description we had looked at and seen on the website.
In the local square there was three lovely and spotlessly clean bar/ restaurants in a five minute walk from the gite s.
In the village we found a lovely bakery and the french sticks were divine.
Back at the gites we had a lovely garden and had our meals out on the veranda watching the sunsets .
We found Dieppe a lovely place to visit and Le Treport was good too. We found all the supermarkets to be not bad in price.
All in all a super holiday thanks again
M & J Ferns, Sheffield, May 2009
This is a lovely little chalet in wonderful part of France. Easily accessed from Calais, it has everything you could possibly need.
There are great cliff walks, splendid beaches, and many interesting towns within a short drive. Le Treport, Eu, Mer-les-Bains and St Valery-sur-Somme are all well worth a visit.
Criel itself is quiet and great for kids, with a very good restaurant within easy walking distance if you want to stay close to home.
Thoroughly recommended.
J Harvey, Susex, April 2009
My daughter and I stayed at the chalet for a week over Christmas, being the first without my dear dad. The chalet was very comfortable and was certainly well equipped. It was nice not to have to take bed linen, towels etc and waste precious time making up beds! Also, on a quiet day, we enjoyed watching some of the DVDs in the chalet. The CD player was well used too!
We visited the local food shop and the boulangerie, the afternoon we arrived, finding the staff most friendly.
The views from the balcony were inspiring. There is something relaxing about water. We had beautiful sunsets every evening.
We had lovely meals out, in particular at the Vieille Ferme at Mesnil sur Plage. We visited Dieppe, being a favourite town of ours. We like the little shops and we always have a beverage at the Café des Tribaunaux enjoying the ambience.
We hope to stay in the chalet later in the year, and take advantage of the bicycles, work up an appetite and cook BBQs on the wood burner!
It was certainly a relaxing, much needed holiday, which we both wished had been longer.
Leigh and Cheryl Dawson. Kent - December 2008
We managed to have some glorious weather for our four days in Criel at the end of September.
The cottage provided us with everything a family with ages from 3 to 84 needed.
We managed to visit locations as far away as Bayeux - an easy drive despite the distance, although there was plenty to see nearby.
D Rawlinson, North Yorkshire - September 2008
Our week long stay at Criel in August 2008 introduced us to a region of France that we have only ever driven through on our way to other areas. We discovered that we have been missing a few treats!
Criel itself retains a very French feel about it when so many other places are on the verge of over-development. Criel remained quiet and peaceful even during August - just what we were looking for!
Our active boys (aged 10 and 8) enjoyed the use of the chalet garden and the facilities at Criel and made use of the chalet's well stocked "dependance" The satellite TV proved very useful to catch the achievements of Team GB at the Olympics
The summer 2008 weather was not the best but we did get two glorious evenings on the terrace with the famous sunset.
Don't miss the fresh fish market at Le Treport and we enjoyed the open air swimming pool at Dieppe. We shall be visiting this part of France again.
I Codling, Wilshire - August 2008
Finally I found the time to send you a brief feed back about our stay in your house in Criel.
It is definitively a lovely home and all five of us enjoyed staying there very much. The interior is not only very cosy but also very convenient.
We do fully recommend this home to everybody who likes to spend his holidays at the French channel coast.
R Richtsteiger, Hanover - July 2008
The chalet is in an excellent position, close to the Channel Tunnel with easy access by the motorway. The pictures on the website show how good the facilities are, and it must be the best equipped gite we've been to. Do look at the extra photos to see.
The weather was not very good when we were there, but we still managed to sit on the terrace and admire the sea views with a glass of wine each evening.
We particularly appreciated having plenty of towels and kitchen gadgets, plus DVDs, CDs and books to use!
The washing machine and tumble drier were useful too.
The enclosed garden makes it safe for young children and we liked being able to park in the grounds.
There is a lot to do in the area, the sea front at Mers les Bains is pretty, and the Octopussy bar was good, as was le Coq Hardi in Criel itself. There are good hypermarkets such as Auchan and Intermarche in Eu, and Leclerc nearby. Le Treport, Dieppe (big swimming pool in the area) are worth visiting, and Le Touquet and Bagatelle theme park are good for children. It was good just to walk along the sea front too.
This wasn't our first visit to the chalet and it won't be our last!
S Race, Cheshire - August 2008
There are a lot of things one can say about your house in Normandie. For us it was a super long weekend.
When you go in the spring it is most beautiful, because the thrill of spring makes you happy. Just like the Normanie people sing in their own country song:
Quand tous renait a l'esperance
et que l'hiver fuit loin de nous
sous le beau ciel de notre France
quand le soleil revient plus doux
Quand la nature est reverdie
quand l'hirondelle est de retour
jáime a revoir ma Normandie
cést le pays qui m'a donner le jour.
It is also special that one can feel the four seasons in one day.
Kindest reards and maybe till soon Laetitia
L Haak, Utrecht, The Netherlands - May 2008
We (2 adults, 1 12 year old boy) spent 4 days in Criel sur Mer.
The location is very accessible. We took the Channel Tunnel and found the drive to Criel pleasant.
Arrangements for collecting the keys were easy and the Chalet was just as it looks on the website.
We found it to be very well equipped and maintained. Excellent use is made of the space available and the surrounding garden is great. Being on a hill, the propery offers great views of the sea and cliffs. There was very little traffic near the property, which made walking enjoyable. (Probably, it would be somewhat busier in summer!)
We found we didn't need to go far to keep occupied. There are superb walks along the cliffs and the beach. We also visited Le Treport, Dieppe and Eu, all just a short drive away.
Le Coq Hardi restaurant is within easy walking distance and so proved to be very useful. We collected our bread each morning from the bar/tabac, which provided a short burst of sea air before breakfast. Would love to be able to do that every morning!!!
To sum up: A superb location and an attractive property."
S Francis, Hampshire, England - April 2008
We had a lovely time at this delightful little chalet. Freak weather conditions ensured we made good use of the log fire.
It may be small, but the chalet has everything you could possibly need. Four of us fitted in perfectly (and I'm 6'5").
It's a lovely area: great cliff walks, and a must if you like seafood.
M Braund, London, England - April 2008
Le chalet est petit mais très bien équipé et très confortable. La vue est magnifique et le quartier est très calme.
Un lieu agréable pour se reposer au bord de la Manche.
P Lejeune, Paris, France - October 2007
Just got home from our week in your lovely chalet. Had a wonderful and very relaxing holiday, found the washing machine, dvd player, satellite and TV easy to use.
Thanks for a lovely time and good luck for the future! Jane and family.
Jane Fleming, Wigan, England - July 2007
A fantastic little chalet, every thing you could possibly need was there, we had wine on the terrace in the lovely evening sun over looking the bay with our daughter contently playing beside us, idealic.
The short walk to the sea front & shop, bars & restaurant is pleasant and the locals were so friendly.
We made a couple of wrong turns on the journey from Bolougne but other than that the trip was straight foward, dont forget to have about 7 euros to hand for the motoway toll.
All in all a great time and a lovely quiet comfortable place to stay.
Jason Edwards, London, England - June 2007
Our 2nd visit to the chalet & every bit as memorable as the first!
The weather has been fantastic with sunshine and blue skies everyday. Managed lots of cycling and hunting for crabs on the beach when the tide was out. Also managed to fit in a trip to Paris for the 1st time!
All the home comforts of the chalet provides has made this a truly restful get-away-from-it-all holiday. The sea air makes us sleep 10-12 hours a night - excellent!
This is a beautiful corner of France and we'd thoroughly recommend it!
The Park Family, Carluke, Scotland - April 2007
"PS ....The boulangerie at the far end of the town - c'est magnifique!"
We stayed for Christmas at Criel and it couldn't have been lovelier. The town was very quiet but you can imagine that it is lovely in Summer.
The Chalet had everything you could want and more. Great location, charming people and fantastic food.
A calm and relaxing Christmas by the sea - perfect!
Tracy Harding, Wiltshire, England - January 2007
We have just returned from a very enjoyable stay at Criel.
The chalet is very well equipped and the views from the balcony superb. The surrounding area is lovely to walk or cycle around and as the weather was very kind to us we were able to do both. Normandy is well worth a visit and Criel ideal for a restful time.
Dee & Brian Potts, Buckinghamshire, England - Sept 2006
What a lovely home! we had a thoroughly wonderful time in Criel-Sur-Mer
We both loved the log cabin style and there was everything that we could have needed there.
The view was superb from the patio and eating our meals at the patio table watching the sea and the sun setting was fabulous.
The shutters on every window and door were an absolute god send. Even the children slept past 9 every day!
Unfortunately, the weather was not too good, but there was still plenty for the children to do in your well stocked house - from felt tip pens and pirate ships, to footballs and tennis rackets.
I would highly recommend staying here to anyone!
Cathryn & Andrew Tateson, Kent, England - August 2006
We had a great week - chalet great - catered for children really well!
Gary & Karen Coffrey, Bedfordshire, England - July 2006
Although Normandy has been a favoured area of France for British visitors over the years, our impression is that UK holidaymakers today are tending to by-pass it in favour of more distant parts of France. This leaves Normandy quite unspoilt (unlike, say, the much-favoured Dordogne area - in our view).
It seemed particularly French and to have retained its traditions. We heard few British voices and saw few UK number-plates, except those en route for elsewhere.Criel itself is readily accessible, but remains quiet and peaceful. We travelled by SpeedFerries from Dover to Boulogne, a fifty-minute crossing and not much more than an hour's drive to the chalet.
Having left Scotland at around 8.00 p.m. on the Friday night, we were in Criel by midday on the Saturday - having already shopped at Boulogne's E.Leclerc.
We liked the little town's simple pleasures. The flinty beach - always supervised. The pleasant sea-front bar (and bread depot), the little restaurant (excellent carry-out pizzas) and the crepe wagons.
Both Criel-sur-Mer and Criel Plage have small weekly markets (seafood and the rest). Criel-sur-Mer has bakeries and a perfectly satisfactory Intermarche (closed Mondays).
From the town, one can conveniently travel to fine sandy beaches (if preferred) at Cayeux to the north or St Michel to the south. There is plenty, too, to see in le Treport, and nearby there is an abundance of other fascinating little towns and villages - even within walking distance in the case of Mesnil (along the upper shore, beside the phenomenal chalk cliffs). (Great seafront restaurant there, too.)
The chalet itself is miraculously well-appointed. Nothing is omitted and it is homely and welcoming. Our children happily played on the front grass - badminton, football, boules, paddling pool. We all enjoyed the verandah - all meals were had there except for outing picnics - with its fantastic panoramic sea view.
We have holiday-made extensively in France over the past decade. We like all the parts we've visited, but I think Normandy - and Criel Plage - has secured a special place in our hearts. We'll go back, I'm certain!
Douglas & Hazel Lipton, Dumfries, Scotland - July 2006
We had a lovely holiday, you have a great place there. We loved the village and Le Treport it was a very relaxing time and the weather was wonderful, a nice sea breeze, I even swam one day.
Debbie & Ian Lewis, Bedfordshire, England - June 2006
I can quite see why you're so proud of your chalet, it's idyllic - if it was mine, I don't think I'd want to let it out. It's also fantastically equipped and excellent use is made of all available space.
We had a very relaxing time and the shutters on the chalet windows are a God-send, we were having lie-ins until 9.30am!!
Thanks ever so much for letting us visit your holiday home.
Jackie Yarham, Gloucestershire, England - May 2006
We thoroughly enjoyed the break - it was a really restful get away from it all holiday. My rusty French got us through many an occasion no bother at all - including asking one of your neighbours if they could find my son's training shoe in their garden since it flew off when he kicked a football! Thankfully, amidst the laughter they found and returned the shoe.
We alternated between eating out and cooking in, enjoying a glass of the local vino and we managed to visit many resorts along the coastline.
The sea air obviously did everyone the power of good because I think all 4 of us slept for 12 hrs each night, which is a miracle given that we are all night owls and tend to do with less than average sleep.
I honestly think it has been the most relaxing holidays we've ever had and one we would definitely repeat in the future.
Linda Park, Carluke Scotland - October 2005
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