Planning a birthday, a family reunion or a weekend with friends takes more than finding a room for a celebration. You need a welcoming place with enough space, comfortable accommodation for several nights and things to enjoy together nearby. Normandy combines countryside, historic towns and regional food for a shared holiday within reach of Paris and northern France.

At Les Gîtes de Flaubert in Morville-le-Héron, Seine-Maritime, five independent cottages offer accommodation for groups of different sizes, up to 49 guests across the whole estate. Families can spend time together while keeping their own space.

Why choose Normandy for a birthday weekend?

Close to Rouen, Normandy offers a change of scenery with villages, forests, castles, gardens and local markets to explore. When arranging travel from Paris or elsewhere, allow for your starting point and traffic rather than relying on a fixed journey time.

A weekend gives grandparents, children, cousins and friends time to reconnect, with countryside walks and sightseeing alongside the celebration.

A cottage stay rather than a single evening in a hall

Booking accommodation lets your overnight guests stay after dinner and share breakfast the following morning. Separate bedrooms and living spaces make it easier to balance social time and rest.

Discuss the number of people attending, shared meals and the arrangements for your celebration before booking. Sleeping capacity does not automatically establish a reception capacity, and the estate’s house rules and agreed hours still apply.

Les Gîtes de Flaubert: five cottages for getting together

The estate welcomes families and groups of friends for milestone birthdays, extended-family reunions, wedding anniversaries and relaxed weekends together. Whether you are celebrating a 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th or 70th birthday, choose accommodation around the people staying overnight.

The independent houses provide a countryside setting and separate places to rest between shared meals and activities.

Facilities for different generations

Facilities vary by cottage. Depending on your accommodation, they include billiards, Bonzini table football, darts, pétanque, gardens and furnished terraces. Check the facilities of the particular cottages you book.

The private two-person hot tub belongs only to Le Gîte d’Emma. It is not a facility included with every cottage or configuration. Children remain under their accompanying adults’ supervision.

Choose accommodation for 20, 24, 25 or 49 guests

For an extended family, several houses can be booked together while retaining separate bedrooms and living areas.

• Les Dépendances: Le Bovary and Le Flaubert sleep up to 20 guests; adding Emma brings the configuration to 24. Emma’s private hot tub is not part of the 20-person option.
• La Cour de Flaubert: accommodation for up to 25 guests.
• The complete estate: up to 49 overnight guests across the five cottages.

For help allocating rooms, read our comparison of La Cour and Les Dépendances. Booking part of the accommodation does not mean exclusive use of the whole estate.

Things to do during your stay

Leave some free time around your celebration to explore the surrounding area. Check opening days and any booking requirements directly with the places you plan to visit.

Walk in the Forêt de Lyons

The beech woods of the Forêt de Lyons offer a setting for walks and cycle outings. Choose a route suited to your group, the season and the weather.

Explore Rouen

Rouen’s cathedral, historic centre, half-timbered houses and Gros-Horloge make it a rewarding outing for those who enjoy history. Its restaurants also offer options for a meal during your visit.

Visit the Château de Vascœuil

The château’s art exhibitions, park and gardens offer another idea for a group outing. Check the current programme and opening arrangements before travelling.

Discover Lyons-la-Forêt

Half-timbered houses, the old market hall and village shops make Lyons-la-Forêt a pleasant place for a family stroll.

Find more ideas on our nearby activities page.

Bring everyone together over Normandy food

A birthday weekend is a chance to enjoy a meal together. Normandy specialities include Neufchâtel, Camembert and Pont-l’Évêque cheeses, cider, pommeau, apple juice, farm produce and apple desserts.

Use the cottage kitchen or discuss your plans with a local caterer. Catering is arranged separately and is not automatically included in accommodation. Our local partners page provides ideas for preparing your stay.

Planning a family reunion for 20 to 25 people

A French cousinade is an extended-family reunion, often bringing several generations together. Planning a few practical details ahead helps everyone enjoy the visit:

• Enquire well ahead, particularly for holiday weekends.
• Allocate bedrooms before arrival, taking family needs into account.
• Plan a few family games or shared activities.
• Choose outings suited to the children and adults attending.
• Balance sightseeing with time to relax at the cottages.

See our family reunion accommodation to start planning the right configuration.

Make time for a complete weekend

Two or three nights give you more time together than a single day. Conversations need not be rushed, breakfasts become part of the occasion and different generations can enjoy activities at their own pace.

Agree the arrangements for meals and evening gatherings in advance, respecting the estate’s rules and the tranquillity of the surroundings. Often it is the unplanned conversations and shared meals that become the best memories.

Why stay at Les Gîtes de Flaubert?

The estate combines a countryside location near Rouen with five independent cottages and accommodation for up to 49 guests. Games and outdoor spaces vary by cottage, and Emma alone has a private hot tub.

It is a base for a birthday, family reunion, wedding anniversary or weekend with friends, with opportunities to discover Normandy as part of the stay.

Plan your birthday or family reunion

Start your enquiry early for school holidays and popular weekends. Share your preferred dates, number of nights, overnight guest count, bedroom requirements and plans for the celebration. Availability and the most suitable configuration can then be confirmed.

For a smaller gathering, explore our birthday accommodation for 20 to 25 guests near Rouen.

Ask for a personalised proposal for your stay

Useful links for your stay

• Compare accommodation configurations
• Accommodation rates
• Local partners and services
• Group holidays in Normandy for 20 to 49 guests
• Hen and stag weekends in Normandy (article in French)
• A brasero evening during your stay (article in French)