Here, in the heart of France, the scenery is breathtaking, the forests, the Gorges de la Loire, the extinct volcanoes…. around every corner you will find something of beauty; lakes, rivers, beaches, mountains. Why not experience the 360 degree panoramas for yourself?

Each season is distinctive, summers are long and hot , spring has masses of wild flowers, the autumn colours are beautiful and winter has BIG snow.

Lovely aspects of the area are the space and the lack of British tourists! You are unlikely to hear English spoken--except at Chez-Elles, in fact it is usual to go off exploring the surrounding area for the day and not meet anyone at all. Get your phrasebook out just in case you do!
Exploring the area by car is not a daunting task, the roads are delightfully quiet and the French drivers will overtake you without you having to worry!
The walking is fantastic, there are over 1600 kms of off road tracks and plenty of routes right here on your doorstep. You will find fruit and herbs growing in the woods and alongside the tracks, including wild strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, myrtille (we think these are bilberries but aren't absolutely certain!) and there are also mushrooms galore.
Cycling is very popular here so we have cycles for you to try out the national pastime (it is not for the faint hearted!)

Go wine tasting, the Rhone Alpes is famous for its wines. The very local Cotes Du Forez is delicious and the vineyard in the next village welcomes our guests to try their two whites, two reds and their rose.
Nearby we have fromageries that you can go and see the fabrication of the Fourme de Montbrison or Fourme d'Ambert or why not visit the goats cheese farm where you can taste their fabulous cheeses, choose the age you love the most and then meet the goats that helped to make it.
Visit Chateaux, medieval villages, markets and brocantes the area is yours to explore, we love it here and want to make this hidden part of France available to women that enjoy the finer things in life!

Montbrison is a lovely town which has a year round market on a Saturday. Sit in the place with a tipple and watch the world go by.

Spring has fields of wild daffodils and stunning greens, summer is long and hot, autumn is a tapestry of reds and golds and winter has lots of snow and sunshine .

The lake at Pradeaux is 15 mins from us and you can laze by the waters edge, swim, walk around the panorama. This huge uninhabited space is beautiful and very good for the soul! These four pics give you just a taste of one side of this lovely tranquil place the forest is all around you.