Loire Valley Lodges
“At the heart of a forest located in the beautiful Loire Valley of France, I stay in a unique treehouse where nature and art merge for an exceptional sensory experience. Loire Valley Lodges truly beats my expectations: it’s a once-in-a-lifetime stay!”
Loire Valley Lodges offers an exceptional location with 18 treehouses nestled in the heart of the trees, all equipped with a private spa. The lodges are scattered throughout a private forest surrounding a renovated farmhouse, which offers all the comforts of a luxury hotel – swimming pool, bar-lounge, restaurant, room-service, massages and more!
Light, osmosis with the forest, transparency and space inspired the design of the 18 treehouses of Loire Valley Lodges. Built on stilts, from wood species present in the surrounding forest – douglas, chestnut, oak – their lodges are real, warm and cosy suites. Their large windows and open terraces, equipped with a private spa, promote an harmonious dialogue between the interiors and the forest. It was a blessing to stay here and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. For the final touch, each lodge has been designed by a contemporary artist. We stayed in the Houppelandes lodge, inspired by artist and painter Elizabeth Riou.
The lodges have the layout of a hotel suite, bringing you the same level of hospitality, comfort and service you would expect from a hotel: a comfortable bed, seating area, fully equipped bathroom, Italian shower, separate toilets, and mini bar with hot and cold drinks to satisfy your desires at any time of the day. Each lodge extends into a terrace that includes a private spa: hello jacuzzi! Everything has been designed to ensure complete privacy and allow you to fully immerse yourselves in nature. Breakfast is delivered in a basket on your terrace: perfection.
Walking is the best way to get around and explore the forest and the woods that surround it. We did a short hike through the forest and discovered a beautiful lake with dead trees in it (reminded me of Namibia) and lots of art. On the property there is a swimming pool and they have installed a nordic bath right next to the swimming pool to allow you to live another sensory experience! You can warm up in a 40°C bath, then swim a few lengths in the cold pool and go back in the hot bath…
Good for you: there is bar and very good restaurant too. We had dinner at the restaurant (The Table) and it was a very good experience! All items on the menus are made using products from their own garden, local producers or from specialty houses renowned for their savoir-faire. They favour short supply chains and organic producers, especially committed and passionate producers who strive to highlight their terroir through their products.
What I also loved: they have a greenhouse with a story! Its very interesting: in Celtic astrology you find 21 trees/signs corresponding to periods of the year. Each calendar date corresponds to one of the 21 protective trees. The Duporterie forest that surrounds the Loire Valley Lodges naturally shelters many, but not all, of these protective trees, so the lodge has planted the missing species. You will certainly recognize yourself by reading the characteristics of your birth tree sign… If you want to deepen your relationship with your protective tree, they grow each species of the 21 Celtic trees in their greenhouse and the saplings are available for purchase in their concept store. You will be able to leave with your little tree, plant it in your garden or a green space near you and watch it grow and flourish at your leisure. How beautiful is that?
Last but not least: spoil yourself with a massage in your treehouse. Still regretting that I did not take one!
