Hotel and gourmet restaurant in Normandy
The origins of
Le Manoir du Lys
Le Manoir du Lys **** has a fine history. Located close to the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne, this 19th-century building has always enjoyed a peaceful setting in the heart of the Andaine forest.
From the Lisse des Vallées to the Lys dans la Vallée was just a short distance, one that Madame Bouvet, who owned the property in 1835, happily travelled.
The manor house became a hunting lodge, then a tea room. In the early 20th century, the spa's wealthy French and foreign clientèle came to enjoy the restorative surroundings offered by Le Manoir du Lys. As its success grew, the tea room became a boarding house with a restaurant.
At the time, it had a capacity of 30 beds and 58 covers.
Marie-France and Paul Quinton acquired the property in 1978. Two years later, they fitted out the great hall to host their first receptions.
Meals were still prepared to order at the Maison Hébert-Quinton. As Michelin-star chef Franck Quinton explains:
“At the beginning, it was just a small house. My parents were caterers. They bought it for events, wedding receptions and christenings. Then they set up a small restaurant with 5 or 6 tables and a dozen or so hotel rooms”.
The appeal of the redesigned park and the exceptional environment of the forest began attracting more and more visitors.
Milestones from the hotel’s history
2022: Maison des Bois gite project
2021 renovation of the chalets
2020: renovation of the lounge bar and gym
2014: renovation of the restaurant and the other rooms
2008: renovation of 12 bedrooms
2000: construction of 7 wooden chalets
1998: Michelin star first awarded *
1996: construction of the swimming pools and renovation of the tennis court
1991: extension of the Manoir and its reception areas
1984: creation of the hotel-restaurant Le Manoir du Lys, with 11 rooms and a restaurant
A family history that lives on
With the arrival of the Quinton family, Le Manoir du Lys **** expanded while retaining the “family home” atmosphere that is the property’s hallmark.
The “Nature et Naturel” tagline illustrates this love of simplicity and authenticity. The Quinton’s children, Franck Quinton and Stéphanie Lebailly, carry on this living tradition, continuing to celebrate the harmonious union between the manor house and its unspoilt environment on a daily basis.
The Michelin-star chef fell in love with gastronomy straight away. Fascinated by the restaurant business and the work of his parents’ culinary partners, he learnt his trade alongside top Parisian chefs.
On his return, he was encouraged by his father Paul Quinton. Franck Quinton recalls: “He said to me: double the investment, open new rooms, design another, bigger restaurant”.
His sister and brother-in-law, Stéphanie and Yvon Lebailly joined him in this new chapter. In 1998, Le Manoir du Lys’ restaurant was awarded a Michelin star. “We've kept it ever since, with the continued aim of doing things meaningfully and authentically”.
The story does not end there. It continues to be written each day, with each guest, each encounter, each personal history.
New clients discover the venue with delight and returning guests who have fallen in love with this place are always happy to return.
