Au Pré de l'Arbre, unusual accommodation in wooden chalets in Sarlat

Discover Perigord & the Dordogne

Just 12 minutes walk from the Medieval City of SARLAT , capital of the Périgord Noir , hides a corner of paradise ... Lovers of nature, calm and serenity, are unanimous, for a relaxing stay in the countryside , centrally located for Knowing the region well, the lodgings, which Nathalie and Marc have built on 3 wooded hectares, are perfect! Heated salt-water swimming pool , shaded pine forest, large bright common room, houses in solid timber with all comfort and close to the beautiful dynamism of the heart of the city of SARLAT ... Are we going?

Photos of the article: © Guide du Périgord

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"We have always loved wood"

Nathalie and Marc have been in a relationship for 35 years, they have three grown children, Alma, Tom, Léo, who often help them. The project of a family economy is offered to them. Marc, who has always loved wood, sees himself as a “ thwarted manual ”! He, who as a youngster wanted to be a luthier, taught philosophy without ever ceasing to work with his hands. Nathalie and Marc bought a magnificent 3 hectare plot of land in 2002 to build their lodgings in dovetail planks. They sell their house, radically change their life and very briefly move into the very first chalet. In the heart of nature and close to SARLAT, they self- build their tourist accommodation , of course, but above all with an ethical concern for unspoiled nature .

Marc and Nathalie

A welcoming pine forest, surrounded by oak trees

Wooden houses that they self-built with talent and pugnacity

"Les Acacias", the first chalet built by Marc and Nathalie

They start by building the swimming pool , which will be heated and treated with salt . It is a decision that may seem fanciful, but it is not! The swimming pool will be the focal point of the Au Pré de l'Arbre estate, but not the central point. To avoid the inconvenience related to noise, they install it upstream of the lodges. Thus, those who wish to have fun, meet up and have a fun time do not inconvenience those who need tranquility - smart!

The first years of work were not the most restful, they quickly wanted to receive guests and built the first 6 houses. Marc carefully studied all the possibilities and his choice fell on solid wood houses (eco-managed Scots pine originating in France and Europe), with elements assembled using the dovetail stacking technique (a invisible, solid, resistant, without nails or screws, to assemble the pieces of wood). To be sure of his calculations, he made sketches, miniature versions of his future houses, to estimate the constraints and decide on the optimal size of each element. Once the wood has been delivered, it sets to work, with the help of the whole family and simple and efficient equipment. It is fitted with a manual crane with a gearbox: it is necessary to lift 11m planks weighing nearly 450 kg!

The magnificent swimming pool

It is heated and treated with salt so that the eyes never itch!

Four years later, the last three houses are built. The Au Pré de l'Arbre estate now has 9 unusual and ecological lodgings of around 50 to 120 m2, with beautiful terraces and private green spaces . Nathalie and Marc are never short of projects, they are still in the process of constructing a wooden building (post-beam) with meeting rooms , relaxation, with kitchen, and a large space dedicated to the practice of Yoga and well-being activity , all in wood with a splendid view of the wooded valley. They wish to offer out of season , the possibility to groups to meet for training courses , in particular around sustainable development , personal, and well-being.

A meeting, conference or internship room, all in wood, uncluttered and very bright

Each house has a terrace, an open garden and a free space around, to guarantee peace and privacy.

Some houses have one floor, others are on one level, depending on the capacity

The central pine forest, with its characteristic woody scent, its soft needles that felt every step and the sun playing with the toupee of the trees

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Spend a holiday at Au Pré de l'Arbre

When you enter the 3-hectare wooded area , taking a charming little road, you are far from suspecting that the Medieval City of Sarlat is only a few minutes' walk away. 12 minutes, to be exact, by taking your time, you will always be on time for lunch , dinner or a stroll at one of the many markets and festive events in this small town in the Périgord Noir . The location was the first key to success for Nathalie and Marc. Holidaymakers who wanted to be well placed to enjoy Sarlat and navigate quickly to the Vézère Valley (20 minutes) and the Dordogne Valley (10 minutes) then understood that this friendly place is a haven of peace , from which we almost hesitate to extricate ourselves ...

Also, many of them stay on site for part of the day, to stroll by the swimming pool, organize a country meal with the family, or just read a good book comfortably installed in a lounge chair on the terrace. Today, it is for the kindness of the owners , the quality of the accommodation and the calm of the place that the regulars come back!

Friendly holidays all year round

Welcoming homes all year round

This "borie" was the home of the shepherd and his sheep, in the old days when this land was only a pasture!

In season, you should book as early as possible to choose the chalet that suits you. These small houses to live in made with patience and passion are very popular ... But it is not only in summer that Périgord is pleasant! Au Pré de l'Arbre is open all year round . Solid wood has natural insulating properties: it regulates humidity, preserves heat and cold; with a little heating you quickly feel good. Test the adventure of holidays in mid or low season in the Dordogne ! The charm will undoubtedly operate ...

Come in summer to enjoy the swimming pool

Come in winter, sometimes it snows! Photo: © Au Pré de l'Arbre

A pleasant area all year round

Quiet houses, for nature lovers

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Find out more

All the houses are equipped with a fully functional kitchen, with a dishwasher and washing machine. The bedding is of high quality and the calm will ensure peaceful nights.
The houses each have their own style, color range and coordinated decorative elements.
Go to the Au Pré de l'Arbre website to choose your house, check prices and availability
Go to the information sheet on the Guide du Périgord