The Domaine lavenant

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Our search for a home for the project started in October 2016.

All of the members of the collective were living in Montpellier and as some members had family in St.Etiene, we were searching between the two. In that year and a half of searching, with over 20 visits, we had seen it all... the good, the bad, the scary... but what we hadnt seen was a place that touched the hearts of all of the members. That is until we visited Lavenant in Boffres, Ardeche (half an hour into the mountains above Valence).

Read more about the exceptional leap of faith the owners took in letting our group move on site and commence our activities before even having a bank agreement: https://www.grainandsens.com/blog/2018/5/14/confidence-and-compromis

the place

The property includes 20 hectares (50 acres or 20,000m²) of land, with roughly a quarter being prairie, and the most of rest being ancient forests, primarily Beech and Oak trees, with areas of Chestnut trees, pine trees and tall douglas fir’s. There is a quiet stream flowing through part of the property, three freshwater springs, two large water reservoirs and a small pond.

There are also several buildings ...

  • One beautifully renovated apartment for a small family, of 130 m²

  • Two large group gîtes, one with a capacity of 15 people measuring 305 m², and one with a capacity of 13 people measuring 290 m²

  • One large workshop of 210 m²

  • One open hangar of 20 m² with an adjoining room of 20 m²

  • Three adjoining workshops (fully kitted out) adding up to 90 m²

  • A “snow white” cottage measuring 55 m²

  • And 1 large heavy duty polytunnel covering 200 m²

 

Grain&Sens at Lavenant

After a first trial summer at Lavenant, it became clear to us that this place and the project, Grain&Sens, were destined to come together! The nature that embraces Lavenant is enchanting and enriching. It does not take long in this kind of environment to be reminded of our connection to this natural and beautiful world! We have also watched the projects professional activities flourish here. Whether it be gardens, eco-camps, bread baking, forest clubs, scout hosts or the like, Lavenant has proven time and time again to be a most welcoming host.

 

Vacation rental and Bed&Breakfast

At the beginning of the project, we had never imagined purchasing a property of this size or value... but as mentioned before, the project and place choose each-other... now it us up to us to make it work (which gives us the opportunity to rent our Gite and Bed&Breakfast)! For more information click here.

"An extraordinary place and a house held by a remarkable team that gives a real sense to the organization of life, human relations, the abandonment of the superficial and without falling into a certain utopia; to find the natural bases of ecology with a lot of intelligence brings a big plus to the stay at Grain et Sens! And especially for all travelers, try to communicate with your hosts, you will not be disappointed " - Jean Claude, December 2018