Friday 25th September 2026
We will arrive sometime on Sunday the 20th and spend the week in Normandie. The birthday will be on Friday the 25th. Feel free to join us earlier if you want to.
La Mare, Lessay area
Nathalie Sesiani and Markus Rüthy will be hosting us at their beautiful mansion in La Mare, Lessay.
Casual, relaxed, outdoorsy
Bring layers, appetite, comfortable shoes. If the weather is nice, we will spend time outside.
The feeling
Intimate moments great food at a special location.
Imagine a charming event venue tucked into the Breton countryside, with the feeling of a British manor near the coast. Thick granite walls, wooden beams and soft lighting make the room intimate, while the terrace carries green fields and Atlantic air into the evening.
Close friends arrive in the late afternoon to chilled cider or sparkling wine. The rhythm stays easy: laughter in the courtyard, coats draped over chairs and conversations picking up exactly where they left off.
Candlelight conversations
Long talks, quiet toasts and the feeling of being surrounded by people who truly know you.
Music that grows with the night
French classics, soft folk and acoustic songs first, then something more upbeat when a small dance floor appears.
Simple, beautiful, unforgettable
A celebration of 40 years well lived, shaped by authenticity, warmth and togetherness.
The feast
One long table, local flavours and a proper toast to 40.
The celebration is planned as an easy evening together at La Mare: arrivals, aperitifs, a generous dinner, music and plenty of time for everyone to catch up between courses.
Arrival & aperitifs
Local specialities and aperitifs hopefully with some sun.
Dinner feast
A long shared table with seafood, slow-cooked meats, seasonal vegetables and french butter on almost anything.
Dessert, music & a nice casual ending
Local desserts and digestifs.
Mansion
Seafood
The coast
More coast
Optional outings
Join if you want, skip if you need a slower morning.
Outing photo
Mont-Saint-Michel · Thursday 24 September
A visit to the historic Mont-Saint-Michel
Day trip with local markets, Norman food and cider, the abbey and ramparts — timed around low tide at 13:13.
- Good for: history, markets, food and bay views.
- Bring: comfortable shoes, camera and cash for market stalls.
Outing photo
Saturday 27 September 2026 · after breakfast
Coastal visit — Saint-Germain-sur-Ay
The closest coast to La Mare is at Saint-Germain-sur-Ay, about 5 minutes by car. We will head to Plage de la Pointe du Banc: wide sandy beach, big dunes and the GR 223 coastal path at the mouth of the Ay, with views across to Jersey on a clear day. A gentle walk, coffee nearby if we want it, and time to swim if anyone is brave enough.
- Good for: fresh air, dunes, easy photos and relaxed conversations.
- Bring: windproof layer, comfortable shoes, water and a towel.
- Optional: swimming — the water is quite cold in late September.
Our sailboat
Option 3 · weather permitting
Sail out to sea
If the wind cooperates, we may take the sailboat out for a few hours — no fixed date, no programme, just sea air and open water if it feels right.
Organisation
Practical notes before arrival.
RSVP
Please confirm your arrival date and any dietary needs by the 1st of September 2026.
Logistics
If you have no car and need some transport from a nearby train station, let me know and I will try to help.
Food & drinks
Markus Rüthy and I will visit the local market craft some food plans before the feast.
Weather plan
Coastal weather changes quickly. Pack some versatile clothes and shoes that can handle grass or sand.
Photo wall