Living Next to Farms in Normandy: Smells, Sounds & the Reality of Rural Life

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First published: December 2025

This is another question that tends to arrive gently.

Often disguised as curiosity.

“Is it… rural?” “Are there farms nearby?” “Do you notice smells?”

Which is usually code for:

“Are we going to regret this?”

So let’s talk about what living next to farms in Normandy actually means — not the glossy, postcard version, but the real, working countryside you’ll experience here in La Manche 🌾

First: yes, this is a working countryside

Normandy is not a theme park version of rural France.

People live here. Work here. Farm here.

Fields are planted, animals are moved, and machinery does its thing.

That’s part of what makes it beautiful — and part of what makes it real.

So yes, there are farms around us. And that does come with some realities.

Smells: let’s deal with that one first 🌬️

Yes — occasionally, you might notice farm smells.

Usually when fields are being fertilised.

Here’s the important bit: they rarely linger.

This is open countryside, not a closed space. Air moves. Weather shifts. Smells pass.

The gîte itself is well protected, with thick stone walls that keep the interior comfortable and unaffected.

And if it ever feels like a bit much, the coast is only about 15 minutes away. Sea air has a remarkable ability to reset everything.

Most guests notice it once, think “ah, countryside”, and then forget about it entirely.

Cows, fields and the occasional flies 🐄

If our neighbour has his cows in the field next door, you might notice cow flies.

They are big.

They are not subtle.

But they are also harmless. They don’t bite. They’re more curious than anything else, and they tend to move on fairly quickly.

Keep food covered outside, and they lose interest almost immediately.

This is farm life, not an infestation.

Sounds: this isn’t silence, and that’s okay 🎶

Rural Normandy is quiet — but it isn’t silent.

You’ll hear:

– birds doing what birds do very enthusiastically at dawn 🐦
– the occasional tractor going past
– Roger, our cockerel, having his morning sing 🎤

Roger’s contribution is very much background noise at the gîte. Thanks to the distance and the thick stone walls, most guests barely notice him — but he does like to make his presence known to the wider neighbourhood.

None of this is constant. None of it is intrusive.

It’s simply the soundscape of a working countryside.

“We’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy” 🌾

Living in rural France does mean there are moments when you’re reminded that you’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy — or in a theme park version of rural France.

Fields smell like fields. Animals behave like animals. Nature doesn’t perform on cue.

For most people, this is part of the charm.

For a few, it’s an adjustment.

Neither reaction is wrong — it’s about knowing what to expect.

Spiders, insects and other countryside residents 🕷️

Yes, we have spiders.

Some of them are big.

All of them are harmless.

They are also far more scared of you than you are of them.

If spiders aren’t your thing, just message us. We’ll happily come and pick them up and relocate them far, far away — with dignity.

I won’t hurt them. If you wish to live and thrive, let the spider walk alive.

I’m quite fond of them, personally — they eat midges and mosquitoes, which makes them useful housemates.

Mosquitoes, gnats & summer evenings 🦟

Yes — mosquitoes and gnats exist here, especially in summer.

This is the countryside, after all.

We supply repellent under the kitchen sink, and we recommend using it if you’re outside after sunset.

If it runs out, just tell us and we’ll replace it.

Simple, practical, sorted.

Hornets: impressive, noisy, best ignored 🐝

Hornets are a reality in summer.

They are big. They are loud. They will absolutely announce their arrival.

They are also best left alone.

If one does become a nuisance, Lee is your man. (I personally run a mile.)

A useful tip: at night, hornets are attracted to bright lights.

If you’re outside in the evening — enjoying the private garden, a glass of cider, and some leftover cheese — shut the gîte door and switch on the outside light.

They’ll head straight for it and leave you in peace. Magic ✨

What about rodents?

We’re in La Manche, with waterways and fields full of grain.

Mice and rats exist.

They should not be an issue inside the gîte — but if you ever see something, call us immediately and we’ll deal with it.

To avoid any interest during outdoor meals, it helps to clear away food leftovers in the garden.

Eddie the cat is on a one-cat mission to reduce the rodent population of La Manche. She does a very good job.

Our local barn owls also help. It’s a team effort 🦉

Why most guests are absolutely fine with all of this

Because once you understand what real rural Normandy is like, none of this feels alarming.

It feels honest.

Most guests quickly stop noticing the details and start noticing how relaxed they feel.

The air. The space. The slower rhythm.

This is what a working countryside sounds and smells like.

When this might not be the right fit

If you’re very sensitive to smells, require absolute silence, or want a tightly controlled environment, rural Normandy might feel challenging.

And that’s okay.

Good holidays are about fit, not forcing yourself to like something.

The simple truth

Living next to farms in Normandy means living alongside real life.

It’s not sanitised. It’s not artificial.

But it is calm, grounding, and deeply human (and of course llama... 🦙).

For most people, that’s exactly why it works 🌿

Useful reading

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