We are experiencing some lovely weather at the moment here in Basse Normandie. It makes one want to get out and about in this lovely area we call home. Here, as promised, is the latest in the series of ‘Orne’s Hidden Treasures’. Rp has been exploring somewhere interesting to take the children, or grandchildren, when they come to visit. He tells us about his latest discovery.
It has been my experience that taking small children on a visit to a large zoo is a complete waste of time and effort.
The children have seen all the animals and birds on the television and their interest wanes after no more than half an hour. Thereafter, they only have two concerns – ‘Where is the café?’ and ‘Is the gift shop open?’
It can also turn out to be very expensive when there is a large family group. What you need is something on a much smaller (and cheaper!) scale. I have found just such a place in the Orne.
‘Le Conservatoire des temps jadis’ (The Conservatory of Times Past) is a small farm which is dedicated to preserving ancient and rare breeds of poultry. There are over 30 different types of chickens, hens and cockerels, including many with wonderful names – Yokohama, Hambourg, Hollandaise and Padoue.
Perhaps the most striking of all is the Sebright. It is the only bird named after an individual, Sir John Sebright (1767-1846), the seventh baronet and MP for Hertfordshire, who bred it. What distinguishes it in the collection is that its feathers are so arranged that they appear to be covered by a spider’s web.
My particular favourite is the Orpington, developed in the late 1800s by Willam Cook, who named it after his home town in Kent. The original birds were black but I liked the ones at the farm because of their gorgeous, golden brown honey colour.
There are also peacocks and turkeys, including the oldest American turkey breed, the Narrangansett, originally from Rhode Island. And no French farm would be complete without an example of La Gauloise dorée, the oldest cockerel breed in France, and now its national emblem.
On the farm there are also lots of rabbits, ducks, geese, sheep (which escaped from their pen during our visit!) goats and pigs.
The birds and animals do not roam free but they are very accessible to all visitors, young and old.
Look out for the plaques dotted around, for the children, which ask simple questions (the answers are there, too) but beware, the questions and answers are in French!
There are also a few games for the children such as hopscotch and croquet.
After wandering around the farm, make your way down the steps and walk along by the stream. You will arrive at a small picnic area where there are tables and a couple of swings.
The farm is quite hilly and, I would suggest, is not wheel-chair accessible, though you should have no problems with a baby-buggy.
The cost is 4 Euros 80 per adult and 3 Euros 80 per child, which makes it very good value for money, in my opinion.
The farm is open weekend afternoons, until July and August, when the only day it is closed is Monday.
The farm is a quiet place – the only sounds you can hear are cockerels giving it their all and squeals of delight from the children.
There is no gift shop – but, not surprisingly, you can buy eggs!
Directions (RP has given directions but if you are coming from further afield, you might want to check the farm’s website here for details of opening times, directions, and a photographic taste of what you can expect to see when you visit. The site is in French but very easy to navigate.)
Take the D908 from Carrouges towards Sees and turn right onto the D2 (signposted Chahains and Rouperoux). Turn left onto the D226 to Fontenay-Les-Louvets. In the centre of the village, turn left onto the D204. Le Pouillolet is on your right and there is a small car park on your left, opposite the entry to the farm.
For the sophisticates amongst you who have GPS – the farm is Latitude 48.53617 … Longitude 0.006463.
