Farmhouse Restoration and Enchanted Landscapes above the Rhône Valley, Tournon-sur-Rhône, Ardèche (6 - 18 November 2014)

At an elevation of over 450 meters, on a plateau above the Rhône River, our next stop would be at an old farmhouse called Meyras.  We would get to know an engaging and well-cultured family, their history and horses, and the extent of their restoration and renovation of an intriguing old farmhouse.  All of this set amidst a staggering landscape that sits near the top of our list thus far in France... views as far as the eye can see towards the east, taking in the Rhône valley and the Vercors Mountains, and the High Alps beyond that...

 

THE PEOPLE:

 

 

Bodhi with Garance, one of two daughters that live on the property.

Playing with Isadora, the other daughter at Meyras (and youngest of four). 



After learning some tricks from Isadora, Bo sets out to develop his own style. (photo: Pascale Bernard)

The tireless Sylvain, dedicated to the complete renovation of the farmhouse. 

Pascale, busy at work in her art studio.  She leads art courses in Lyon once a week.

 

Right, just pull this lever and presto...

 



Strolling in nearby Tain with friend Eegi and her children. 



Bo with Pascale.

Dinner at the Bernard's.  (L-R: Jeff, Katy, Bo, Sylvain, Pascale, Isadora)



The wet and cold can't stop Bo from stomping about the place.

Lastly, one must mention the other characters seen about Meyras!

 

THE PLACE:

 

 

This sign points the way to Meyras, buried in fog.

 

 

A view of Meyras from the plateau.

 

The other side of the house.  Note the (new) yurt to the right of the house; Garance lives here with her partner.  Also note the horses grazing in the foreground.

 

The house dates back to the 1600's.

 

Bo has a run about the place.

 



 

Formerly a hay-filled barn, this is now the family room, crowned with this stunning clay painting by Pascale.  The family has lived in the house since 2011.

Original artwork by Pascale.

 



 

Sylvain is a lifelong horse enthusiast, and has begun breeding Kabardin horses here.  Kabardians are more common in eastern Europe and Russia; they were bred for stony and mountainous terrain and are known for high endurance and adaptability to difficult environments.

 

In addition to the six Kabardins, there is Baxter, the large Comtois pictured here.

Bo found the horses a curious sight.

Katy saddled up for a ride.

Sylvain, who practices natural horsemanship (popularly known as horse whispering).

... and off they go.

Katy, horse training in the fog.

Jeff has a go, bareback.  (First time on a horse in 35 years!)



 THE LANDSCAPES:

 

 

Although we often had cool and rainy weather in our two weeks at Meyras, it must be said that we also witnessed some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscape views that we have yet to see in France.  The changes in light seen from this location are beyond words...

 

 

Full moon rising over the Rhone Valley.

 

 

Morning graze backed by the French Alps (with a new mantle of snow).

Le Mont Blanc.  Highest point in western Europe at 4810m, and clearly visible from here.

The French Alps stretching out to the south of Mt. Blanc.



Fog blankets the Rhone Valley.

The Vercors Mountains rising beyond the Rhone.

 

Sunset from Meyras.
 

 

THE WORK:

 

 

The majority of the work to be performed was the renovation of an old room to be used afterwards as part of a gite (self-contained bed and breakfast). 

 

 

Slyvain faced with a daunting task: the removal of 12 tons of earthen material that have sat for over 200 years in the subfloor cavity of this room, compromising the structural beam beneath.


 

Jeff, poised to bash out the chimney.

 

Katy finds an ending place for all this fill: the driveway. (photo: Pascale Bernard)

 

After evacuating the fill, we rebuilt the floor platform and insulated with chanvre, or hemp used for insulation.

Look who wants to help out!

Hauling sand...

 

...and installing beton chanvre, or hempcrete (a wet mix of hemp, lime, sand, cement and water used for insulating).

Jeff and Sylvain packing the partition wall with beton chanvre.

Bo checks out the finished product.

 

 OUT AND ABOUT IN THE REGION:

 

 

Dayhiking in the gorges above the Doux.



On a splendid fall day, Bo wanders past apricot orchards.

Time out for a snack.

The fantastic viewpoint above the Rhone valley, looking down on Tournon-sur-Rhone and Tain L'Hermitage.

... descending down to the Rhone through woodland...



... vineyards blanket the slopes on the far side of the river.  This is very famous wine, Val du Rhone.



The old bridge across the Rhone connecting Tournon and Tain.

Nearby buc, or billy-goat.



Collecting wild mushrooms in the forest.  Sylvain taught us some of the edibles to be found here.

 

Bo stretches his legs out...



... and even starts climbing out of the gorge.

 



Sylvain, Jeff + Bo, and Pascale at Les Cuves du Duzon.

 

For more information please see www.lesterresdemeyras.over-blog.com, a fantastic blog compiled by the Bernards that includes photographs of the evolution of their renovation projects at Meyras from the beginning, with a lot of participation from WWOOFers and friends along the way.