Éco-Gîte La Chouette Verte/Eco-Lodge The Green Owl

Surrounded by the forest, this peaceful cottage at an altitude of 600 m in Wangenbourg-Engenthal, in Alsace Switzerland, at the foot of the Schneeberg (961m), offers panoramic views of a 13th century castle and the village, 40 km from Strasbourg and 37 km from the airport (SXB). The Vosges forest will appeal to nature lovers, hiking, biking, photography and wild fauna and flora watching. The terraced garden, perched on the hill and rich in plants, is a pleasant setting to relax. The space Exclusively for guests: Guests have a private floor of our house, on the level of the panoramic terrace, with a separate entrance. The space includes (ceiling height: 214 cm): - a living room (kitchenette, dining area, open-plan lounge with sofa and coffee table), measuring 25 m²; - a bedroom with a double bed and a view of the village, measuring 13 m²; - a bathroom with a shower, measuring 5 m², plus a 2 m² hallway. A small outdoor patio with a table, 4 chairs, a wooden bench, and a parasol, measuring 10 m². Guests also have access to 2 sun loungers on the main terrace, available year-round except during the winter. Shared space: Guests may also share the garden and terraces with the hosts. Forest Spirit: We designed a woodland ambiance, with furniture made primarily of oak and carefully chosen natural colors. Green dominates – it couldn't be otherwise in the heart of the forest. The warm wood contributes to a soothing atmosphere, true to the spirit of our village, which has been awarded the "Station Verte" label. We have thus created a space in harmony with its environment, where one can rediscover calm and the benevolent presence of nature. A Garden Refuge for Nature: Our garden has the status of an LPO Refuge. Here, we protect nature: we plant trees and shrubs, sow flowers for pollinators, preserve natural habitats, and encourage biodiversity. To support local wildlife, birdhouses and a bat box have been installed in the garden. In winter, we feed the birds to help them through the cold season, allowing us to observe many species. In spring, you can watch young birds leaving their nests and enjoy their songs throughout the year. Parking: - A parking space is guaranteed in front of our gate; - Guests can also park opposite the house, on the street, in a parking area right at the edge of the forest. Bike Storage: Guests have access to secure bike storage in a locked shed, from spring to autumn. Nearby: The cottage is a 5-minute walk from the village center, where you will find restaurants, a Proxi supermarket, a bakery, a medical center, a Crédit Mutuel bank with an ATM, a post office, a church, and a bus stop providing service between Wangenbourg and Strasbourg city center. Every Saturday, a small market is held in the village's main square, with stalls selling fruits and vegetables, meat, sweets, and flowers. Throughout the summer, a crêperie is open below the castle. Tourist Information: - All information on the many tourist attractions in the region is available at the Tourist Office, just a 5-minute walk from our place; - You can also visit, in the media library building, an exhibition dedicated to General de Gaulle's (then a colonel) stay in Wangenbourg in 1939 and 1940, as well as the period of the "Phoney War." Hiking and cycling trails located close to our gîte: - Easy circular walk around the valley: a forest path that follows the hillsides and is mostly on flat terrain, accessible to all; - Trail to the Schneeberg: direct access from our gîte to the highest peak of the Little Switzerland of Alsace (961 m altitude), ideal for lovers of beautiful panoramas; - The GR 53 - Crossing the Vosges Mountains: an iconic long-distance hiking trail, marked with a red rectangle by the Vosges Club. The first French trail to be awarded the "Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe" label, it crosses the Vosges Mountains from north to south for nearly 430 km, from Wissembourg (Green Alsace) to Belfort. Alsace Wine Route: The Wine Route begins in Marlenheim, 17 km from our gîte, and extends southward throughout Alsace. Cities to discover from our gîte: From our location, we are an excellent base for exploring several interesting nearby cities: Saverne (21 km), Strasbourg (40 km), Obernai (41 km), Colmar (86 km), and Nancy (113 km, Lorraine). Day trips: From our gîte, you can easily explore many remarkable sites in the region on day trips: - Dabo Rock (18 km), - Botanical Garden and Rose Garden in Saverne (21 km), - Haut-Barr Castle in Saverne (22 km), - Arzwiller Inclined Plane (24 km), - Mont Sainte-Odile (39 km), - La Petite-Pierre Castle (45 km), - International Glass Art Center in Meisenthal (57 km), - Sainte-Croix Wildlife Park (63 km), - Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle (76 km), - Alternative Wolf and Bear Park in the Black Forest (99 km). An ideal base for exploring the Christmas markets of Alsace: - Strasbourg, the Christmas capital of France, is about an hour away by car or bus. Its market is the oldest and one of the most beautiful in Europe; - Don't miss: Colmar, Kaysersberg, Riquewihr, Ribeauvillé, Obernai, or Eguisheim… our favorites and many more! Guest access Garden and outdoor spaces: Guests have access to the garden shared with the hosts, located on a 17-acre property, which includes: - a terrace with sun loungers; - a green terrace with stone benches and a decorative pond; - a more natural area below the main property. For the exclusive use of guests: - a private terrace of approximately 10 square meters, located in front of the cottage, equipped with a table, 4 chairs, and a parasol (the parasol is not available in winter); - two sun loungers located on the panoramic terrace (not available in winter). Grill: Guests are welcome to use the barbecue. Garden herbs: The aromatic herbs from the garden (sage, rosemary, mint, chives, and many others) are also available for your use. Other things to note A new gite to discover: For now, we only have 10 great reviews for our accommodation… because it's brand new! Maybe you will be our next visitors to enjoy the cottage "La Chouette Verte"? We look forward to welcoming you there! 🦉 Nordic walking: Two pairs of Nordic walking poles are available for your stay. We wish you a lovely walk on the trails of the Vosges! An eco-responsible stay: - We lead an ecological lifestyle and want to allow tourists who stay with us to experience it; - In our cottage, we favor natural materials whenever possible: wooden furniture treated with vegetable oils and ecological waxes, bed linen, towels and bathroom mats in linen, cotton, wool, etc.; - Bed linen, towels and other textiles are washed with eco-friendly products; - Cleaning is done with baking soda, white vinegar and steam, to avoid any contact of your skin with chemicals; - We provide certified organic cleaning and hygiene products: dishwashing liquid, hand soap and shower gel; - In the garden, we only use eco-friendly products. We harvest rainwater to water the plants. Spring water: The running water comes from several mountain springs around the valley. It does not contain limestone deposits and has very good taste. Love of nature: - Here we love nature and the animals that live in the forest. If you come to “hunt,” do it with a camera, not a firearm. Please do not get too close to the animals with your goal - do not disturb their tranquility. They're at home. - For the decoration of the cottage, no animals were used - the antlers were found in the forest a long time ago. Dog: - Our Border Collie loves people and can jump for joy when we see them. If you leave the gite door open, it can come in to greet you. - We do not host other animals, as our dog does not accept other animals in her territory, unfortunately. Stone stairs: The property is sloping with stone stairs leading to the garden, offering views of the valley, without railings. We do not recommend the stay to people with young children or those with reduced mobility, as this could pose a risk of falling. Bed linen: We have several sets of bed linen, used depending on their availability and the season. In summer, we prefer lighter materials such as cotton gauze or linen, while in winter we use flannel, cotton, etc. It is not possible to choose bed linen. What you will enjoy in our cottage: - The natural and preserved forest, which surrounds you as far as the eye can see: a soothing bath of greenery at every glance; - The fresh air of the Vosges, invigorating and refreshing; - Tranquility; - Direct access to hiking trails - just step out of our property to enter; - New furniture, equipment and linen; - The decoration of the cottage made of natural and warm materials, for a soft and comforting atmosphere; - Equipped kitchenette, allowing you to prepare your meals easily; - A garden on several levels, with a wide variety of plants, changing colors of flowers and fruits, all offering a beautiful view of the valley; - The scent and taste of herbs from our garden in your dishes and infusions - from spring to autumn; - Many secret corners in the garden to sit, read, dream or do nothing; - Living nature all around: stopping for a moment, you may see birds of all kinds (including owls), squirrels, lizards, voles, bats… and sometimes even majestic deer. As you reach out, you'll hear crickets chirping on warm evenings. In spring, the night lights up with fireflies, while in autumn, salamanders come out of hiding; - Respect for your health and nature: organic cleaning and toilet products available; - A small library that offers books about France and our region: tales, stories, cooking, flora and fauna, etc., for lovers of discovery; - A collection of games to have fun and share good times in the evening; - Our adorable dog, always cheerful and delighted to see you, ready to play, curious and sweet - she could well become your best friend of the stay. What you might not like in our cottage: - Our dog enjoys her freedom and moves where she wants; she might prefer your company to ours. You have two options: ignore it, and it will quickly get bored, or play with it, in which case it will come to visit you even more often; - The wooden stairs of our part of the house squeak when we borrow them, and this noise is heard in the cottage - the 1930s house has retained all its charm and soul. Simply close the door between the rooms of the cottage and the hallway leading to your bathroom; - The land is sloping, with much more space on the slope than on the flat surface, and the stone stairs that lead to the garden do not have a guardrail; - In the cottage there is no TV - and it is a choice. So that you can really pick up, refocus, let yourself be enveloped by the silence and soothing sounds of the forest - a real moment of disconnection. And if you like music, you can easily connect your Bluetooth phone to the speaker available to you - to enjoy your favorite songs in a soft atmosphere. Damage and liability: Guests may be responsible for damage to the gite or property. The report is done through Airbnb, which then takes care of the reimbursement process as part of AirCover for Hosts. Registration details CV9YZT