Les Chambres De Colette

We stayed two nights chez Colette in her small but well-formed B&B. The highlight is the spectacular view from the grassy terrace down to Pourville promenade and across the bay to the cliffs. Madame has furnished the garden for lounging, reading and enjoying the view. A footpath leads from the top of the road down to the beach. The house also has a pool and open living-dining area should the weather close in. Our room was not large, but sufficient for our needs. Two small apartments are also on the ground floor, and two gites in the garden with self-catering facilities for longer stays or a bit more elbow-room. Breakfast was classically French. Look out for Pollack the dog too (Madame is an artist). The house is styled as a Moroccan riad which won't suit all tastes, but was good fun. Should you want a real taste of North Africa, Madame also has a house in Marrakesh to rent! Madame doesn't have much English - most guests are French, Belgian and Dutch. My husband's excellent French saw us through but I'd have struggled alone. We enjoyed walks on the promenade; crepe, coffee and ice-cream on the sea-front; landscapes beloved of Monet. Pourville seems to be for day-trippers mostly - only two restaurants serving food in the evening. Closest amenities at Dieppe - a 10min drive away. We were without the car, but could get from the ferry terminal to the house by shuttle bus and taxi. Varangeville is an hour's walk away, through the pretty Normandy countryside, or a short and cheap bus ride on the way back.