Where to Stay and Eat on the Remembrance Trail

Are you planning a trip to the war battlefields, monuments and museums of northern France? Here’s our choice of great restaurants and accommodation on the Remembrance Trail.

Related article: On the Remembrance Trail in France

NORMANDY

NEW HOTELS

Les Jardins de Coppélia, Pennedepie
Ideally placed as a base for visiting the D-Day landings locations, Les Jardins de Coppélia is a splendid new hotel-restaurant in Calvados, just a few minutes from Honfleur. With picturesque orchard views, the 27 luxury rooms and suites feature contemporary interiors (by Roche Bobois) and top-of-the-range comfort, in the heart of a charming building with real old-school Norman cachet. The restaurant on the first floor, Le Capucine, is also open to non-guests, offering a chic and cosy atmosphere and a daring menu using local organic and sustainable agriculture products. Three-course menu, €55. jardins-coppelia.com/fr

Hôtel Saint-Délis, Honfleur
In the heart of Honfleur itself, Le Saint-Délis is also new. With just nine rooms, this 5-star Relais et Châteaux gem is the former residence of the painter Henri de Saint-Délis. For added luxe, all rooms feature a steam shower, while some also have a balneotherapy bathtub. hotel-saint-delis.fr/en

RESTAURANTS

La Réserve Péché Iodé, Merville-Franceville
Food-loving visitors to Normandy are spoilt for choice, from simple crêperies to more refined dining experiences. New to the scene is La Réserve Péché Iodé, nestled in a nature reserve on the Orne estuary. It is perfect for enjoying a enjoy a good meal while admiring the landscape. Chefs Benoît Girard and Ludovic Levy offer fresh, seasonal menus that highlight the Normandy coast’s bounty. Three-course lunch from €26. www.lareserve-mervillefranceville.com

La Voile Blanche, Ouistreham
With its light-filled dining room and outdoor terrace with fine sea views, La Voile Blanche on the Côte de Nacre makes the very best of Normandy’s wide range of excellent terre et mer produce. Typical à la carte lunch dish: half-lobster in yuzu butter and seasonal vegetables, price €30, or fruits de mer platter for one, €40. lavoileblanche-ouistreham.fr

WORLD WAR I LOCATIONS

HOTELS

Le Macassar, Corbie, Somme
Located on Corbie’s main square, this luxurious Art Deco mansion is perfectly located for those exploring WW1 history and visiting the major war memorials such as Villers-Bretonneux, Pozières and Thiepval. Among intriguing remnants from the jazz age are the wrought iron gates that lead into a courtyard garden, as well as furniture and art from the 1920s and 1930s. www.lemacassar.com

Logis Hôtel le Val de Vence, Launois-sur-Vence, Ardennes
Ideal for visiting the Museum of War and Peace in Ardennes, this two-star hotel-restaurant with original stonework and oodles of Ardennes character, is on the road to the fortified churches of Thiérache and boasts a quiet setting conducive to relaxation and contemplation. www.logishotels.com/fr/hotel/logis-hotel-le-val-de-vence-9945?partid=661

Hotel du Golf de L’Ailette, Chamouille, Aisne
Located on the Chemin des Dames 45 minutes from Reims, this golf and spa hotel provides an elegant lakeside stay, with an excellent restaurant. www.ailette.fr/en/ailette-hotel-near-reims

Les Mille et une pierres, Cerseuil, Marne
Situated 20km from Épernay near the Battle of the Marne remembrance site, the Mémorial de Dormans, this chambre d’hôtes in a former farmhouse is run by Patricia and Philippe, whose guest rooms feature modern comfort in a calm and warm atmosphere. It is classified Gîte de France ‘Charmance’. www.lesmilleetunepierres.com

Château des Monthairons, Les Monthairons, Meuse
This utterly gorgeous 19th-century castle on the Meuse river boasts luxury rooms with contemporary charm, plus a spa and superb restaurant – a high-end haven to serve as your base for exploring the battle sites and memorials of the Verdun battlefield. chateaudesmonthairons.fr/?lang=en.

RESTAURANT PICK

In Verdun, Chez Mamie serves simple local cuisine in a super homely atmosphere with red checked tablecloths. It’s always busy so be sure to book ahead! 52 Avenue de la 42ème Division. Tel: +0033 3 29 86 45 50

From France Today Magazine