During a journey in an Audi Q4 e-tron (electric model of the brand) while criss-crossing the roads of Normandy in the department of Orne, I had the opportunity to discover the Maison Ceronne. This piece heaven nestled in the heart of the Natural Park of the Perche is a guest house that contains many surprises, but above all, it dusts off the codes of the traditional hotel business. Directed by interior designer Vincent-Louis Voinchet, what was supposed to be just a guest house is open to everyone for the enjoyment of everyone.

Marble pools, large rooms facing the garden, cocoon design living rooms… An opportunity to discover this perfect country pied-à-terre with its owner. As soon as we arrived, we quickly understood that it would be difficult to leave the premises of these two buildings, which look like country houses set in a two-hectare wooded park. An ideal refuge for aesthetes in search of inspiration, its modern decoration favors the accuracy of raw materials like its stone walls and a few exposed beams. When the pieces of vintage furniture have not been found on nearby flea markets or at the Saint-Ouen flea market, they have been custom-made by the guests themselves. The huge open fireplace made of concrete becomes the perfect companion for long winter evenings, while the imposing black marble table and its oak benches become the scene of joyful locavore breakfasts in the morning. Here, one lives at one’s own pace, close to nature. The latter is invited everywhere. You can contemplate it from the huge bay windows in each common room, but also in the rooms where the art of simplicity prevails. The agitation of the city has given way to silence that only the song of the birds comes to break from time to time, if not the soft crackling of a vinyl to which we let ourselves be carried. Let’s unplug.

A seasonal menu

The dishes offered do not concede anything to the quality of its products from local producers. At breakfast time, organic eggs and other dairy products from the neighboring farm are escorted by a host of pastries and homemade jams that we cheerfully spread with large spoonfuls on our toasted bread.

The small walk around the domain

I go into the nearby forest with our funny hairy companions, Coton, Troll and Holly, a donkey and two ponies belonging to the hosts who will make the children happy. To get lost in the wind on the surrounding paths, bicycles are at your disposal, but also a Simca, whose engine will be a pleasure to make roar on the roads of the region for the amateurs of retro cars.

Relaxation through a steam bath

In the hammam borrowing the aesthetics of the creations of the contemporary artist Jean-Pierre Raynaud, or in the sauna which plays the rebel by dressing itself in black Nordic wood. If the cold weather makes us shun the outdoor pool we saw on our arrival, we’ll settle for its indoor twin, which has nothing to envy it. The seventh art is also part of the party. It has taken up residence in the basement, in the cinema room, where film buffs can enjoy the 4,000 references available.

For night owls

When night falls, some will be able to parade on the dance-floor of the night club or play video games in the game room for big kids.