Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville, Normandy

Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville is a four-star boutique hotel designed with an authentic charm of a half-timbered Norman house but augmented with luxe standards that appeal to modern aesthetic sensibilities.

In Normandy, you can easily find dozens of hotels housed in enchanting chateaux or grand country manors. But few of them can link their heritage with a celebrated historical figure, a national icon of France.

Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville’s story reaches as far back as 1540, when the old manor was constructed. A century later, one of the famous playwrights of France, Pierre Corneille, used to spend time here, away from the turmoils in the capital. At the time, the manor belonged to his sister, and it is easy to believe that he could have written Le Cid here. That’s the legend, anyway.

A tranquil refuge

Today, the hotel is still an excellent destination for a weekend break out of Paris. For us, it was the first stop on a long road trip that took us all over Normandy (don’t miss our write-up: The Best Hotels in Normandy for an Authentic French Escape). By the way, did you follow our adventures on Instagram?

Les Manoirs makes an impression of an unfussy, easygoing place designed to be lived in rather than just to be visited. It’s a good vibe to have at a hotel. It put us in a relaxed mood as soon as we checked in.

The hotel’s remote address helps. Located close to the seaside resort of Deauville, the property feels quite secluded. It is offset from the local road (which has little traffic anyway), and an automatic gate welcomes guests to a quiet garden with large lawns and ancient trees.

Les Manoirs: Rooms and Design

There are only twenty-seven rooms and suites at Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville, four in the 16th-century manor house and the rest in modern cottages, one of which we stayed in.

The cottages have various configurations — ours was a duplex studio with a spacious lounge and kitchen on the ground floor and a small but luxe bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. Other cottages are smaller as they are split into two rooms, downstairs and upstairs. Some suites come with heritage elements, such as old stone fireplaces.

The common areas in the old manor are particularly attractive. The restoration of the old house took a lot of effort and was met with various challenges due to the heritage nature of the place. But it paid off.

The interiors ooze the authenticity of the late medieval design, with many original features still in place, including tiled floors, a wooden staircase, and a spectacular stone fireplace. The manor feels warm and without clutter, despite the eclectic furniture. It feels more like a home than a space designed to be a hotel.

The hotel features a nice wellness area with a jacuzzi and sauna, and the heated outdoor swimming pool is perfect for relaxing. And while there is no proper restaurant, the location affords easy access to some excellent dining, and the staff will be more than happy to book a table.

in our opinion

Over the centuries, the old house welcomed guests wanting to escape the travails of Paris — and today, Les Manoirs des Portes de Deauville picks up that tradition. It's a lovely place for a weekend break.

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What we love

• Nice location, not too far from Paris. If we didn't stop to sightsee on our way, it would take us just over two hours to drive to Les Manoirs (from the 11th Arrondissement).
• The peaceful tranquility of the rural setting. The cottages feel deeply private and peaceful, and the hotel sits within acres of greenery, surrounded by ancient trees and well-maintained gardens.
• The 16th-century manor house at the center is lovely. Its interiors have an eclectic mix of the contemporary and the antique, featuring restored furniture, plush velvet armchairs, patterned rugs, and framed paintings and prints set against white walls and shades of pastel pink. This pairs well with the exposed beams and rustic touches.
• Our cottage duplex suite was more modern and minimalistic, with monochrome décor that included bright white tiles and black-rimmed mirrors. It was comfortable — and perfect for us two.

What you should know

• We stayed in a duplex suite and had the cottage all to ourselves, but many rooms are smaller. Only two rooms in the house and one cottage have bathtubs (including ours). Other rooms have walk-in showers.
• The hotel does not have a restaurant. However, the room service is maintained, with food provided by a local restaurant specializing in Normandy cuisine. The staff can also recommend local restaurants and book a table for you. Deauville is close enough, but there is also the Auberge Du Vieux Tour, a three-minute walk from the hotel. (The lack of an on-site chef shows at breakfast. While the buffet selection is decent, overall, the wow factor was missing).
• What to see in the area? With its wide beach and seaside resort vibes, Deauville is only minutes away. Better still, go and explore the historical villages of Pays d'Auge with their Calvados distilleries, beautiful cottages, and cider-producing farms. Further south is Camembert, famed as the place of origin of the world-favorite cheese.