Horse RidingNormandy is famous for horses. Vimoutiers and the area support several riding schools such as:
Poney Club de la Moynerie
Coudehard
61160
Trun
tel: +33 (0)3 33 35 78 11
Deauville sponsors horse racing from May to October - the best races are in August.
This 18th century stud farm is located approximately 16 miles to the south of Crouttes. Within this magnificent 'Versailles of horse breeding' 70 national stallions represent every breed. In addition to visits, displays of the stallions and horse teams take place every Thursday from June to September (at 3pm).
Haras du Pin
Le Pin-au-Haras
tel: +33 (0)2 33 36 68 68
fax : +33 (0)2 33 35 57 70
e-mail : meneux@voila.fr
Local Pools
There are swimming pools in the local towns of Argentan and Lisieux.
Please note that boys in France are required to wear the tight fitted 'pants' style (speedo type) swimwear rather than baggy English shorts style for reasons of hygiene.
Lake
Five minutes down the hill (on the Trun road towards Vimoutiers) there is a lake that offers swimming and other water activites such as paddleboats and slides during the summer season.
Canoeing
Canoes are available to hire in the town of Thury-Harcourt
Kayak-Club De Thury-Harcourt
Tel : +33 (0)2 31 79 40 59
Day Fishing (during fishing season)
M. LEBRETON (caretaker)
Domaine d'Orval
Camembert
tel: +33 (0)2 33 67 35 67
Route de Domfront
Bagnoles-de-l'Orne
tel : +33 (0)2 33 37 81 42
website: www.golfeurope.com/euro_clubs/bagnoles_de_l_orne
The communes of Crouttes and Le Renouard are known for their many footpaths - we often take picnics with us. They lead to secluded beauty spots and vast surprising views to streams, woods and hedgerows. Blackberries, hazelnuts, sloes, toadstools and wild flowers of all sorts grow in the hedgerows. We have seen unusual birds like green woodpeckers - we almost always see at least one bird of prey as well as local farm animals - donkeys chickens, geese, ducks, sheep, cows. My son enjoys spotting all the different types of tractors.
Charlotte Chorday (the 'heroine' who infamously stabbed Marat) comes from this area. One footpath leads past her farmhouse. Our favourite walk takes us by the chateau Vieux. This means 'the old chateau' - a medieval chateau not open to the public but a lovely walk.
