A VILLAGE OF TOUES

It’s an unusual vacation spot between Digoin (Burgundy) and Chassenard, (Auvergne), designed by two enthusiasts of river navigation and atypical hotels, Alfred Carignant and his father Claude, who run the boat rental company Les Canalous.

On a pond, they have gathered nineteen “toues cabanées”, wooden boats that were once used for transport in the Loire Valley, and transformed them into accommodation.

With a surface area of 25m2, each room is furnished and equipped like a junior suite in a 4-star hotel, for 5 people. Breathtaking views over the Natura 2000 site. The harshest criticism received is “the noise of the frogs”. The place is called Domaine des demoiselles, after the dragonfly damselfly that populates the pond in summer. A real vacation village, with activities – canoeing, cycling, donkey trekking, swimming – and a “toue cabanée bien-être” with jacuzzi and sauna, which can be rented privately (€45).

From €118 per night for 5 people,

9/person breakfast at the chalet, or €11.50 delivered on the boat.

Tel: 03 85537660 – slowmoov.com

Le Figaro-2 June 2020 – N°NC

RUBRIQUE: Le figaro chez vous/travel