Spend a few days in this magnificent and surprisingly roomy treehouse in cider country

Up in the branches, on the northern edge of the huge forest of the Perche natural park, this comfortable treehouse cabin is not just somewhere to sleep but a place to be in its own right. Guests have been known not to come down for days. Fans of quirky furniture will love it: it's created to the owners' unique design. The shower and basin are made from recycled wine barrels; the seats and bedside tables whittled out of apple wood from the orchard, and the beds are wooden too - a double and two bunks (one just child-size). Bread, milk, and cheese are sourced from a network of local farms - but this is cider country, so what better to enjoy on the terrace?

Breakfast is served outside or in, and with proper insulation and heating you'll be cosy year round. It's easy to get to from the UK with Eurostar to Paris or a ferry to the ports of Normandy. Apart from walks in the woods, the region is full of historic houses, manors and abbeys. If you're feeling active, horse riding is very popular, or take a carriage ride in the forest - an unforgettable bit of fun.

• Esentials
• Getting there
• Eating & Drinking
• Things to do
• Booking terms
• Meet your hosts

The essentials

The important stuff

• Check in time is from 4-8pm
• Check out time is 12noon
• Be warned, if weather conditions are very treacherous (gales, storms etc according to Météo France), the owners reserve the right to cancel and reschedule or reimburse you, in the interests of your own safety. This is very rare but may apply to bookings in midwinter (Jan & Feb particularly).
• Bring slippers for inside!
• Some of the bigger branches can be reached from the terrace and mustn't be climbed, so children must be supervised at all times

Sleeping arrangements

1 double, 2 bunks (top bunk only for children). Prices displayed are for 2 adults, extra guests are £32 per night.

Kids & Pets

Two children can be accommodated but pets are not allowed

Surcharges

Prices displayed are for 2 adults, extra guests are £32 per night.

Cooking

• There are no cooking facilities at the treehouse, but breakfast is included and served on the deck

Washing

• There is a shower and flushing loo in the treehouse

Heating, lighting & bedding

• The cabin is well insulated and heated
• All bed linen is provided, including towels

Entertainment

Mp3/CD player

Getting there

La Cabane du Perche, La Maslotière, 61400 St Mard de Réno

By train

Take the Eurostar to Paris and then a local train, or hire a car. La cabane du perche is about 2-3 hours away from Paris by car. 

By plane

Fly to Paris (various airports) and hire a car.

By ferry

Take a ferry with Brittany Ferries or LD Lines to Caen, Cherbourg or Le Havre. Newhaven to Dieppe is a good option too.

By car

Once you reach the village of Saint Mard de Réno, behind the church, take the little road towards Courgeon. Drive 500m and you'll see a sign that says La Renardiere on the right.

Eating & drinking

At La Cabane du Perche

You'll find teas, tisanes and biscuits waiting for you on arrival. Hampers for an evening apéritif or picnic baskets are available but need to be ordered at least 48h in advance.

Shops

Epicerie Chez Eugène in La Chappelle-Montligeon is 5km away and stocks local produce

Bars & restaurants nearby

Simple, local cuisine can be found at Le Montligeon, 5km away. There are a couple of good bistrots locally including La Petite Ramonerie and Le Bistrot Des Ecuries.

For gastronauts, the nearest fine dining is at the Hotel Tribunal, 7km away.

Things to do

At La Cabane du Perche

Relax on the terrace, or run about in 4 hectares of grassy meadow.

Outdoors & Active

The enormous forest is 5 minutes drive away, or 15 minutes walk so you can head off on foot straight from the cabin. You're in a very horsey area: 3 equestrian centres within 5 minutes' drive cater for everyone from total beginner to advanced, including children from 2 years old. Don't miss an amazing carriage ride through the woods!

Places to visit

There are many castles and manor houses to visit in the area. Normandy is the home of cider, so visit a cider press and tasting. Towns to explore include Bellême and Mortagne au Perche.

Meet your hosts

Marie-Noëlle made the move from Paris to the Perche natural park in July 2011, in search of a calmer, more tranquil way of life in the midst of natural beauty. The treehouse followed in autumn, and its first guests arrived in spring 2012. Its owners wanted to create a calm, special place, with views stretching out over the countryside and surrounded by branches and birdsong.

Wildlife & Environment

Le Perche is a natural park within which you'll find farms, villages, forests and protected landscapes. No pesticides are used on the estate, there's a reed bed filtration system for waste water and compost toilets for guests. All insulation for the house and the treehouse is made of natural materials.