2023-07-16 10:03:57
It was the dream site: six existing lodgings, the minimum to be able to live in, in the middle of five hectares of land, not too far from Libourne with access in one hour to the tourist places of Dordogne, Charente-Maritime or Gironde. But, the structure closed for seven years, the couple quickly became disillusioned “Bad surprises to bad surprises”and following a month of installation “We wondered why we bought this” ! Their works budget goes into sanitation, the roofs are leaking so much that the floors have to be redone, the electricity is not up to standard, the swimming pool has its own ecosystem with algae and batrachians, etc.
A place of peace and rest
So they rolled up their sleeves and did it all themselves, with a little help from family and machinery from neighboring farmers. “Six months, seven days a week! » Last summer, they were able to open four lodges and vacationers looking for tranquility arrived. From September, they got back to work to renovate the last two “which no longer had a roof”.
Vacationers should not expect anything new, even if there is all the modern equipment.
The paved road stops at their door, a white path then goes inland. What strikes first is the silence! Not a sound in the torpor of the followingnoon. With the many trees in the common area, you hardly notice the heat. The swimming pool has regained its colours, the bowling alley responds to demand, hammocks and children’s games have been installed and even a “guinguette”. The covered space created from scratch is backed by the old chicken coop and fitted out to accommodate groups for baptisms, weddings or cousinades.
Émile, Marcel, Henri, Pascale or Danielle, the gîtes were so named by the former owners, who were nevertheless British. Names kept by the couple to respect the typical Charente spirit and atmosphere that they claim: “Our project is for tenants to feel like they are at their grandparents’ with the gas stove of yesteryear, the somewhat kitsch old furniture. Everything is charm simplicity, nature, respect for old stones and old construction. “Holidaymakers should not expect anything new, even if there is all the modern equipment. » A return to the sources in a way so that “ people from the city who come to breathe in the countryside feel a bit out of place”. Even if each lodging has its intimacy in its privative space with barbecue, the occupants can meet, the more so as the dogs are accepted. “It creates bonds” Laetitia smiled.
During off-peak periods, the couple plans entertainment. A Halloween market is already scheduled for October 28 and 29 with “exhibitions, decoration competitions and market for creators and craftsmen”.
The gîtes are open from Easter to the end of October. Such. 06 09 82 00 35 or 06 11 50 64 72. Prices and information on Le Domaine Jasmin Facebook or Instagram page.
The lodgings have been fitted out in an old farm whose character has been preserved.
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A huge swimming pool is available to holidaymakers.
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The architecture of the building has been respected.
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The author dedicates one of her books.
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A host who is also an author
With the works, Laetitia Laosakoune, author of fantasy novels for adults in France and of children’s novels for Canada for seven years, has abandoned the pen for the drill and the hammer. “ I miss writing she says, I dream a lot. I wake up every morning with new ideas that I’m frustrated with not being able to put on paper, but I don’t lose them. I always liked to write, one day I sent a manuscript to a publishing house and it worked. »
These books, for example The Primitivesadult sagas in several volumes (Évidence Editions) or The Regionss, youth trilogy (Éditions AdA) in Canada are on sale on Amazon or at Fnac. Facebook: Laetitia Laosakoune author.
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