We stayed in a treehouse at Les Refuges Perchés for four nights in early May. There are about ten treehouses, spaced out for privacy, in a half square mile corner of the forest. We had the place largely to ourselves since the season there doesn’t begin in earnest until June. Nevertheless the weather was glorious during our stay and we would happily return at the same time of year.
You know beforehand that there will be no mains electricity, no running water, no toilet and no wifi or cellphone reception in the treehouse but you still have to get used to it. We don’t generally slum it when we travel but we found that we quickly adapted to the lack of amenities in the treehouse itself – and the pavilion with all those amenities available 24 hours a day was only 15 minutes’ walk away. We also immediately fell into a pattern of going to bed when the sun set and getting up when it rose to set off on a long walk, for which the forest and its lake are perfect.
Our treehouse was very solidly-built and well-sited, with more than enough room for two (taking the enforced intimacy for granted). Judging from how quickly it heated up when we lit the stove, and how long it stayed warm, it was also very well-insulated. The bed platform was large and comfortable. The gas stove and barbecue were perfectly adequate for cooking for a few days. Because we had a car we were able to feed ourselves well from the excellent supermarket at St Agathe des Monts, about 20 minutes drive away and worth a visit.
The staff of the Refuges were exceptionally friendly and helpful, even allowing for the fact that for most of the time we seemed to be their only guests.
If you want to stay in idiosyncratic accommodation in a fantastic setting, and to feel yourself close to nature without entirely giving up comforts, this is for you.
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