From Amsterdam to a home in nature
The story of Jos and Ernestine
The Discovery
Our love for untouched nature has been deep-seated since childhood. In the Netherlands, we were already searching for places where the world could still go its own way, but the true wild nature proved difficult to find there. In 1978, our quest brought us to the Auvergne. We immediately felt a connection with the history of the landscape: the old paths, the stone walls, and the pure harmony between man and nature.
The Discovery
Our love for untouched nature has been deep-seated since childhood. In the Netherlands, we were already searching for places where the world could still go its own way, but the true wild nature proved difficult to find there. In 1978, our quest brought us to the Auvergne. We immediately felt a connection with the history of the landscape: the old paths, the stone walls, and the pure harmony between man and nature.
A leap into the deep
With a healthy dose of naivety, we took the plunge. We bought a hectare of abandoned land in a hamlet where no one lived permanently and started building our house from an old construction shack. Our dream started very small: with a 17-year-old cow, 2 retirement-age sheep, and 4 chickens.
A leap into the deep
With a healthy dose of naivety, we took the plunge. We bought a hectare of abandoned land in a hamlet where no one lived permanently and started building our house from an old construction shack. Our dream started very small: with a 17-year-old cow, 2 retirement-age sheep, and 4 chickens.
The soul of the farm
Through life on our small organic farm, we gave the cows a natural and dignified life, in harmony with their true needs. This allowed the animals to have a much longer and happier existence. By giving the animals the freedom to find their own food in diverse natural biotopes, we consciously chose their well-being and a minimal ecological footprint over maximum production and the emission of CO2 and methane.
The soul of the farm
Through life on our small organic farm, we gave the cows a natural and dignified life, in harmony with their true needs. This allowed the animals to have a much longer and happier existence. By giving the animals the freedom to find their own food in diverse natural biotopes, we consciously chose their well-being and a minimal ecological footprint over maximum production and the emission of CO2 and methane.
Space for humans and animals
We believe that we are part of nature, not that we should use it. Meanwhile, we have spotted otters in the pond we created ourselves, and even the Wild European Cat has been seen on our land. It gives a deep sense of satisfaction that animals find a home here again. We grant that same freedom to your loyal four-legged friends.
Building with nature as a guide
Building with nature as a guide
What started as a small organic farm grew into the construction of our holiday homes. For Jos, a structural engineer by profession, this was the ultimate way to combine technical creativity and a love for wood. But we didn’t just build any way:
Building with nature as a guide
What started as a small organic farm grew into the construction of our holiday homes. For Jos, a structural engineer by profession, this was the ultimate way to combine technical creativity and a love for wood. But we didn’t just build any way:
A home away from home
Guests sometimes tell us: “During the day we went into the mountains and in the evening we came home again.” That is exactly what we want to offer: an atmosphere of peacefulness and rest. We are there for you whenever needed—whether it’s for a tip for a walk or help with a car breakdown—but we give you all the space you need to enjoy the silence.
For us, every visit from a guest is like a window opening to a different view of the world. We warmly invite you to come and take a look through that window into our paradise in the Auvergne.
The surroundings through our eyes
Space for humans and animals
We believe that we are part of nature, not that we should use it. Meanwhile, we have spotted otters in the pond we created ourselves, and even the Wild European Cat has been seen on our land. It gives a deep sense of satisfaction that animals find a home here again. We grant that same freedom to your loyal four-legged friends.