Guillaume Cassigneul has long been interested in World War Two history – a passion which has recently found expression in some novel holiday accommodation.
Originally from Pas-de-Calais, he and his wife Magalie moved to Normandy with their daughters for a different way of life.
Guillaume Cassigneul, with wife MagalieMichel Blot
“Like many people, my wife and I reassessed a lot of things during the pandemic in 2020,” says Guillaume, a professional graphic designer and photographer.
“Our careers no longer suited us, so we decided to change direction and find a better work-life balance.
“We had always loved our annual holidays in Sainte-Mère-Église in La Manche, so it felt like a natural place to consider moving to.”
They quickly found their perfect property which, with 3,000m² of land, offered the possibility of a family home plus a way to run three lodgings as holiday accommodation.
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“When we arrived in January 2021, my top priority was to renovate our first gîte, and that took about six months,” says Guillaume.
The star attractions, however, are two ‘8th Air Force’ Nissen huts that guests can book for a fully immersive 1940s experience.
What is a Nissen hut?
Instantly recognisable thanks to their semi-circular shape, Nissen huts are a prefabricated structure originally designed by Major Peter Norman Nissen as barracks during World War One, but also used extensively during World War Two.
Nissen huts are a prefabricated structure used extensively during World War TwoGuillaume Cassigneul
Made from a steel and wood frame covered with corrugated iron, they were easily transported and their unusual shape deflected shrapnel and bomb blasts.
Many Nissen huts survived the war and were repurposed for storage in exposed landscapes such as the Scottish Highlands, or for temporary housing.
The design has stood the test of time and nowadays they are used for home offices and workshops.
“Accommodation in our Nissen huts is a lot more comfortable than it would have been for the soldiers,” says Guillaume.
“Each one has a living room, a master bedroom, a bathroom with toilet, plus a mezzanine room that is ideal for children.
“I spent two years designing and building these huts, with help from my brother-in-law Thomas, who took care of the electrical and plumbing work.
“We also worked with the USAAF 381st Bomb Group, which was stationed in Ridgewell, Essex during World War Two.”
Guillaume made most of the furniture himself, replicating period items, while 70% of the objects on display are original pieces sourced through his collectors’ network.
“There’s a display case with a period uniform, photos and various artefacts; the table is actually a miniature bomber wing.
“All the decor, stencils and accessories recreate the 1940s atmosphere so when you walk in, it’s as if the soldiers had just left in a hurry, leaving everything behind.”
The huts opened in July 2025 and Guillaume is thrilled by the feedback they’ve received.
As one recent guest said: “The attention to detail is unreal; it’s like staying in a museum with so many little artefacts. All the details are spot on and for a military enthusiast like myself this place ticked all the boxes.”
The right location
Sainte-Mère-Église itself is also inextricably linked to World War Two.
On June 5, 1944, the eve of D-Day, US paratrooper John Steele famously got his parachute caught on the spire of the local church, where he hung for 45 minutes, playing dead.
