Clubs, choirs, societies, alumni
Group accommodation in Normandy: the whole house for your group
Looking for group accommodation in Normandy for a club, a society or a reunion of old classmates? Demeure Bleue is not a group gîte in the official sense: it is a private house your group rents in full, for 11 people at most, plus 2 children or babies. Here is how to organise your stay, from the food shopping to splitting the bill.
- guests
- 11guests+ 2 children or babies
- bedrooms
- 4bedrooms
- min to the nearest beach
- 10min to the nearest beach
- m² of grounds
- 10,000m² of grounds
What "group accommodation" means here
In France, a "gîte de groupe" often means a shared building: numbered dormitories, bathrooms on the landing, sometimes another group in the opposite wing. None of that here. The electric gate closes behind you, and the house, grounds and terrace are for your group alone from the first day to the last.
Nor is it a gîte with an official label. The house is managed by the Idylliq concierge service, which keeps the calendar, sets the price for your dates and is on hand during your stay. For a group, that means one point of contact and one booking, in the name of the person organising.
Another difference from hostel-style accommodation: no need to pack a sleeping bag. Bedding and towels are ready for every guest, and end-of-stay cleaning is included.
The groups the house works for
The capacity suits a small, close-knit group rather than a coach party. Here are the groups for whom the format fits just right.
- 10 min from the path
GR21 walkers
The footpath follows the cliffs, and its access points at Veulettes-sur-Mer and Petites Dalles are close by. With two cars, you leave one at the end of the day's stage so you do not have to walk back.
Choirs and ensembles
The living space lends itself to a rehearsal during the day, before everyone sits down to eat. Outside, quiet returns at 10 pm.
Associations and clubs
A committee weekend at the big table, fibre Wi-Fi to work, then a walk by the sea to close the meeting.
- Paris 2 hr 20
Old classmates
People come from all over France and beyond: Lille is 3 hr 15 by road, Brussels 4 hr 30, west Paris 2 hr 20 without traffic jams.
The logistics of a group stay in Normandy
A group stay is largely won or lost before you arrive. Here is the order in which we suggest you settle the practical questions.
For the bed-by-bed breakdown according to the exact size of your group, see the page on a house that sleeps 10 to 12. And for the drive or the train from the capital, the page on coming from Paris gives travel times and the hours to avoid.
The sleeping plan
Decide who sleeps where before you leave: couples in the Master and the Cosy, the rest of the group between the bunk room and the dormitory. Nobody negotiates their bed once the bags are down.
- from 4 pm
Staggered arrivals
Check-in is from 4 pm. The first to arrive stock up on supplies in Cany-Barville while the others are still on the road.
- 1 hr 40 + 35 min
The train
Paris-Saint-Lazare to Yvetot takes about 1 hr 40, with direct trains roughly every hour during the day. That leaves a 35-minute drive with no practical public transport: one driver does the shuttle, otherwise hire a car or take a taxi.
Cars
Four cars fit inside the property. For 11, three well-loaded vehicles are enough, and car sharing cuts the travel costs.
Meals for 11
A simple rota stuck on the fridge: one pair per dinner, who buy and cook their meal. The freezer means you can arrive with dishes already made.
- before 10 am
The last morning
The house must be vacated before 10 am. Since the cleaning is not your job, all that is left is to leave the kitchen tidy.
The rules, to pass on to the group before you leave
In a group, not everyone has read the listing. Appoint one person who knows it and who will be the contact for Idylliq: they pass on the house rules, which fit in a few lines.
Parties and events are not allowed, and after 10 pm voices drop outside, out of respect for the village. A long dinner among the guests is not a party; an evening that opens the gate to outside guests is. No smoking indoors, and there are ashtrays outside. No pets either, except a small animal under 10 kg accepted on prior request, with a cleaning supplement of €50 per stay.
For any group members who are concerned: the cameras on the property film the outside only, and there are none in the rooms.
Splitting the costs without spending the evening on it
Idylliq gives you a rate for the whole house and your dates, not a price per head: how you split it is up to you. The simplest rule divides the total by the number of adults. You can also ask a little more from whoever takes the Master, with its private shower room. Settle this before booking, never on the day you leave.
Add a shared kitty for food and travel costs, and keep individual expenses separate: charging an electric car from a household socket, at €20 a time, is down to the car's owner. Idylliq sets out the security deposit when you book; agree in advance who will cover it on behalf of everyone.
One last tip: groups take a while to agree on dates. In high season, the house is let for a minimum of 7 nights, out of season from 2 nights. Ask Idylliq as soon as the poll leans towards a slot, because summer dates go early.
4.96 / 5 · 24 reviews on Airbnb
What guests say
- September 2025
Logement spacieux et très bien aménagé. Je conseille cette location les yeux fermés.
Christophe
Review published on Airbnb
- November 2025
Tout a vraiment été parfait. La maison est très agréable et parfaitement équipée. La communication avec l'hôte est très réactive. Nous recommandons +++
Sabine
Review published on Airbnb
Your questions
Can you get there by train for a group stay in Normandy?
Yes, as far as Yvetot station: direct trains from Paris-Saint-Lazare take about 1 hr 40, roughly every hour during the day, on the Paris to Le Havre line. From there it is a 35-minute drive to the house. There is no practical public transport to the village, so plan on a hire car, a taxi or a group member who does the shuttle.
Is Demeure Bleue an officially labelled gîte?
No. It is a private house, managed by the Idylliq concierge service, which lets it in full to one group at a time. You do not share bedrooms or living areas with other travellers. You can book through Idylliq or on Airbnb, where the listing is called "La Demeure Bleue, Collection Idylliq".
Does the house suit a group walking the GR21?
Yes, as a base. The GR21 follows the cliffs of the Alabaster Coast, and the access points at Veulettes-sur-Mer and Petites Dalles are 10 minutes away by road. With two vehicles, the group can walk from one point to another without retracing its steps. Stay on the path and away from the edge: the cliffs are retreating and rockfalls happen.
How do you handle the security deposit when booking as a group?
Idylliq explains the deposit terms when you book. It is then up to the group to agree, before leaving, who will cover it and how any deduction would be shared. Also keep individual extras, such as charging an electric car at €20, separate from the shared bill.
Other ways to stay in Normandy
11 guests+ 2 children or babies
See availability