If you want a break from busy cities and crowded streets, this house is perfect. The drive from Valence was two hours with plenty of switchbacks. Ludovic, the house’s co-owner, attentively answered questions and provided directions. (He even explained how to call French phone numbers both inside and outside France!) He doesn’t live close to the house but his father, Michel, does. When we arrived, Michel gave us an introductory tour to the house. We don’t speak much French and Michel isn’t fluent in English, but Google Translate came to the rescue! We also chatted with Ludovic on the phone.Michel is a friendly do-it-yourselfer, and he lent a hand when needed. When these two desert dwellers were cold, he showed us how to control the heated floor tiles. When the boiler went out, Michel quickly reset it.The house is comfortable and the view across to the Velay valley from the dining room is beautiful, especially early in the mornings when the valley fills with fog and clouds. We did a lot of driving around the countryside enjoying the fall leaves as well as grazing cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. We hiked Mount Signon. We took a day trip to Le Puy-en-Velay and climbed hundreds of stone steps up to the ancient cathedral. Two items you would expect to find in a rental are not available in this well-stocked house: a television and a microwave. There is a projector, speaker, and screen, but the sound kept cutting out. Instead we snuggled on the couch with an iPad.

Five adult family members and my adult niece stayed comfortably in this amazing architectural masterpiece. The home is as pictured and so much more! It is ideal for large (I would say adult) groups but I would easily return with my husband alone, given its romance. The kitchen has every appliance you can think of from espresso maker to blenders. It's a chef's delight. We were surprised to learn we were staying in a 16th century French hamlet! The hosts greeted us with a fire already burning in the fireplace and a bottle of local wine. Michel and Ludovic could not have been more attentive. We stayed here to easily access Yssingeaux (30 min/where our niece is studying). The curvy country roads take a bit to master but we day-tripped to Lyon (2 hours), Le Puy (30 minutes), and even ventured as far as (3.5 hours) Chamonix. It is a quiet place to return at the end of the day. I'm sure I could write a novel in this home--it enjoys views from every single window. In March, the birds were beginning to sing and the flowers and trees were starting to bud. It was warm enough to eat outside during the evenings and watch the sunset, and yet still enjoy the spectacular and modern wood burning fire in the living room every evening. You must walk the hamlet and discover the 500-year old bread-baking houses, the vista of the valley, and the thatched roof stone homes just steps from the expansive yards. I didn't want to leave. Thank you!

We had a very nice stay. The house is super. Big, clean, nice bathrooms, good beds. Nice views.