A company retreat is an opportunity to step away from everyday routines, discuss priorities and spend time together. Choosing a countryside setting means thinking about accommodation, working spaces, meals and free time as one programme.

At Les Gîtes de Flaubert, in Morville-le-Héron in the Andelle valley, your team can stay in independent cottages on the same estate. The setting offers a different pace for a management meeting, workshop or residential team gathering near Rouen.

Why take your team into the countryside?

A change of surroundings can create space for discussion and fresh ideas. Shared meals and informal conversations also give colleagues time to get to know one another outside their usual roles.

Define what you want the retreat to achieve: reviewing strategy, welcoming new colleagues, working on a project or simply spending time together. A venue supports the programme; the quality of the discussions still depends on the objectives and organisation you put in place.

Choose accommodation to match your team

The estate has five cottages, 17 bedrooms and up to 49 sleeping places. You can book an individual cottage, a combination or the whole estate, subject to availability.

• Les Dépendances for 20 guests: Le Bovary and Le Flaubert, with 8 bedrooms.
• Les Dépendances for 24 guests: the same cottages plus Le Gîte d’Emma, with 9 bedrooms.
• La Cour de Flaubert for 25 guests: La Charretterie and Le Gustave, booked together, with 8 bedrooms.
• The whole estate: all five cottages, up to 49 guests and 17 bedrooms.

These figures describe overnight accommodation. They do not guarantee a meeting room or a single dining space for 49 people. Tell us how many individual bedrooms you need, how you will work and how many people will attend meals so that the spaces and layout can be agreed before booking.

Compare the accommodation options or read our guide to the 24- and 25-guest configurations.

Plan working sessions around the available spaces

The cottages’ living areas can form part of a programme of management discussions, workshops, training or presentations. Explain your preferred format, seating layout, equipment and connectivity needs when you enquire. We will confirm what is suitable for the cottages you reserve.

Day meetings and residential stays need different arrangements. Agree access times, the number of participants, meals and the use of each space with Aurélia and Christophe.

Leave room for shared activities and downtime

Pool tables, table football, pétanque, terraces and outdoor spaces offer ways to spend time together between sessions. The equipment available depends on the cottages booked.

A private hot tub in Emma only

Le Gîte d’Emma has a private hot tub for two people. It is available when Emma is included in your booking, including Les Dépendances for 24 guests and the whole estate. It is not a shared spa for the entire team and is not included in the 20-guest option.

Ideas for outings nearby

You can also consider a walk or cycle ride, Lyons-la-Forêt, the Château de Vascœuil or a visit to Rouen. Check opening times, weather, routes and the group’s abilities. Activities delivered by external providers are arranged and paid for separately.

A countryside base near Rouen and Paris

The estate is in Morville-le-Héron in Normandy. The French guide gives indicative driving times of around 25 minutes from Rouen and around 1 hour 30 minutes from Paris. Your actual journey depends on the starting point, route and traffic; check it before fixing the programme.

For a group arriving by train or at different times, organise onward travel and meeting points in advance.

What a cottage retreat offers

Independent accommodation, living areas, kitchens and outdoor spaces let the team share time while retaining separate places to rest. The privacy applies to the accommodation reserved; exclusive use of the entire estate requires booking all five cottages.

Set a complete budget covering accommodation, meals, transport and activities. See our rates information and request a proposal for your dates. Catering and other services must be agreed separately.

A practical checklist for the organiser

• Set clear objectives and identify the decisions or outcomes you need.
• Confirm headcount and bedroom allocation, including any single-room requirements.
• Balance focused working sessions with breaks and informal time.
• Choose one shared activity suited to the group.
• Confirm working equipment, meal arrangements and external services.
• Keep some free time and communicate arrival and departure arrangements.

Why consider Les Gîtes de Flaubert?

Our five cottages combine a Normandy setting, up to 49 sleeping places, 17 bedrooms and leisure spaces near Rouen. The estate’s identity draws on the world of Flaubert, while the practical details of your stay are planned directly with your hosts.

Tell us about your company retreat

Send Aurélia and Christophe your dates, the number of participants and bedrooms required, your working format and your meal plans. We will help you choose an available configuration and clarify the services to organise separately.

Request a proposal for your team

Plan your stay

• Company retreats and team building
• La Cour de Flaubert: up to 25 guests
• Les Dépendances: 20 or 24 guests
• Compare accommodation options
• Local partners and services

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Related guides

• Team building near Rouen
• Company retreats: our perspective as hosts