Couples Retreat — Pause, Reflect, Recharge

Morning light in the library, evening glow by the fire. The School Room offers three distinct salons designed for the art of doing nothing. Choose a book, gaze at the flames in the wood burning stove, or simply watch the clouds roll through the valleys from the tall windows. It’s a retreat that feels like a secret, tailored for couples who value texture, tone, and tranquility. No distractions, just beauty. Crisp sheets, warm wood, and time and space to heal the soul. The space Morning Light and Historic Charm Open your eyes to the gentle morning light filtering through the deep-set windows of your private ground-floor sanctuary. Whether you are claiming the bedroom wrapped in warm wooden beams and stylish geometric paneling, or the one boasting a striking rustic stone wall and vintage white wardrobe, the absolute peace of the Auvergne countryside surrounds you. Step right into your crisp, bright ensuite bathroom, stepping under the glass shower to revitalize your senses before the day begins. Coffee and Connection on the Mezzanine Follow the scent of fresh coffee up the wooden stairs to the 40m² mezzanine and feel the history of l'Ancienne Ecole instantly wrap around you. Massive, centuries-old wooden beams stretch overhead, strung with playful bunting that sets a carefree, welcoming holiday mood. Wake up your palate as you brew a hot espresso from the pod machine and slice a crusty local baguette on the thick wooden chopping block. The kitchen is designed perfectly around a warm, wrap-around wooden peninsula. It is an incredibly inviting setup—lean across the counter with your morning coffee and plan your day exploring the Livradois-Forez park. Here, even a simple breakfast feels like a special event. Afternoon Light and Schoolhouse Secrets After a morning hike or a trip to a local market, wander back downstairs to the grand main hall, where the true scale of this 1885 schoolhouse takes your breath away. Massive, towering windows flood the room with brilliant afternoon light, illuminating a stunning cluster of paper lanterns suspended from the ceiling. Pause by the entrance to admire the stack of vintage suitcases and our curated "museum" of found treasures uncovered during the renovation—a beautiful, tangible link to the generations of village children who once learned here. Pull up a chair at the central wooden table, grab a jigsaw puzzle or a board game from the adjacent chest of drawers, and spend a lazy afternoon laughing and strategizing under the vintage map. Evening Glow and Shared Stories As the sun dips behind the hills, the ground floor transforms into an elegant, cozy lounge. Sink into one of the twin, facing pale-yellow couches positioned perfectly beneath the original school blackboard (one of these couches easily converts into a comfortable double bed, providing wonderful flexibility for your group). It is the ideal arrangement for swapping stories over an aperitif. Cook together with absolute ease back up in the mezzanine kitchen. Sizzle fresh ingredients on the sleek induction hob, reaching for a blade from the magnetic strip mounted on the ancient timbers. Because of the clever open layout, the conversation never stops. When it is time to eat, take just a few steps over to the dining area, nestled cozily beneath the sloping roofline. Gather around the elegant, vintage wooden table set beneath the gentle glow of a striking white chandelier. Sink into the plush, mustard-yellow velvet chairs and pass around a massive board of local Saint-Nectaire and Fourme d'Ambert with friends. Clear the plates, uncork another bottle of wine, and completely lose track of time. A Late-Night Retreat On cooler evenings, migrate towards the back of the ground floor to gather around the gentle crackle of the wood-burning stove, letting the warmth soak into your bones. Or, if you prefer a cinematic end to the day, retreat to the TV salon on the opposite side of the mezzanine. Collapse into the deep, welcoming cushions of the oversized blue sofa, or stretch out on the comfortable brown lounger. A massive, custom-built wooden bookcase spans the entire back wall, loaded with holiday reads, DVDs, and framing a large flat-screen TV. Put on a favorite film, or simply lean back and look out over the mezzanine railing through the towering windows into the starry night. When you are finally ready to wind down, head back to your quiet bedroom, slip between the crisp sheets, and drift off, ready to do it all again tomorrow. ★ GARDEN + ORCHARD ★ Take a relaxing walk around the picturesque garden and orchard while enjoying gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside. Grab a book from the library and unwind at one of many seating areas. Your designated BBQ master can prepare tasty delicacies for the whole group in the outdoor kitchen. ✔ Seating Areas ✔ BBQ Grill ✔ Fire Pit ✔ Pergolas We are looking forward to your arrival! Guest access The home is exclusively yours, without interruption for the duration of your stay, so relax, unwind, and make yourself at home. Other than the already mentioned amenities, our home also comes with: ✔ High-Speed Wi-Fi ✔ Central Heating ✔ Free Private Parking Other things to note ★ ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION ★ If your preferred dates are taken or you’re traveling in a larger group, you'll be happy to know that we offer an additional unique home in the area. Browse our profile to discover other dreamy stays. ★ COVID-19 SANITISATION ★ The health, safety, and wellbeing of our guests are of utmost importance to us. For this reason, we use a thorough process of cleaning after each check-out. Registration details 83037859200026