Our extended family took up 3 rooms for 2 weeks at the Auberge de la Vallee des Peintres in Carolles in August 2009. The little town of Carolles has a nice nearby sandy public beach and lovely walks along the cliffs overlooking the coast; it is centrally located a half-hour's drive from Mont St.-Michel and the holiday town of Granville, and within easy day-trip distance from Bayeux, Dauville and Trouville, the D-Day beaches, St. Malo, Dinard and Dinan. We had a wonderful stay at the Auberge, especially thanks to the tireless efforts of proprietors Sophie and Christian, who were consistently kind and patient with our rambunctious children. The rooms were clean, modern and functional, with great linens and down comforters and with windows opening onto refreshing green vistas. There is WiFi available in seating areas downstairs. However, the real heart and attraction of the Auberge is the restaurant (with both indoor and outdoor seating). We were able to try all sorts of wonderful, hearty, plentiful and varied Normandy cooking, and especially recommend the mussels and shellfish dishes including a wonderful "grandmother's recipe". Do not leave wtihout trying the Fondant au Chocolat for dessert!

On a 10 day solitary tour of Normandy I spent three nights at the Auberge de la Vallee des Peintres. Of the five 2 star hotels I stayed at this was by far the best. The room was what you might expect of a 4 or 5 star hotel. The welcome from Sophie and Christian was warm and friendly. The quality of the food was superb and a beer on the garden terrace after a long walk was very pleasant. There are several excellent walks, along the cliff path, along the beach, through the Vallee des Peintres, along the adjacent disused railway track leisure trail and into the beautiful countryside. The proximity of Mont St Michel and Granville provide interesting excursions. I certainly plan to return.

Quiet, comforting, relaxing and friendly small hotel tucked away behind the church in the Basse-Normandie village of Carolles. This makes an ideal base for exploring the Baie Mont St Michel - including the town of Avranches and the secret citadel to be found above the town of Granville.

Food was great value and so good that we ate at the restaurant for the 3 nights of our stay. The hosts were extremely helpful and friendly and helped us with our appalling French!

The hotel itself was recently converted from the village presbytery and is clean and bright with a variety of different room sizes and views.

If you are after a bit of peace and quiet within walking distance of beautiful beaches and forested river valleys, then I can't recommend this small family run hotel enough. It is a converted presbytery of the Norman church at the centre of the village of Carolles near Granville in Normandy. Rooms are simple but beautifully done and the restaurant is fantastic value serving a limited but delicious menu of simple well cooked dishes. When a starter in the €12 two course menu is 6 fabulous oysters from the nearby islands of Chausey then what more can you want? Plus Mont St. Michel is a short car journey away.