> Are you part of a group?
> Do you pursue a creative activity together?
> Is this group no larger than nine people?
> Would you like to organise and run your own summer camp in a well equipped, peaceful and protected outdoor space in the summer sun?
Environment
Nestled in a canyon in the foothills of the French Pyrenees is an old stone watermill, known simply as Le Moulin.
Tucked away behind the mill there are several acres of private land. The geology is Limestone Karst. Time and natural erosion have clothed the canyon in mature woodland and shrubs both cultivated and wild. The result is a bio-diverse environment whose richness is not equalled for a hundred kilometres in any direction.
The canyon feels like a private park rather than a camp site. It is sheltered from the wind and aligned from east to west so that it is bathed in sunshine from dawn to dusk. It is surmounted by limestone cliffs which naturally delineate the borders and its generous dimensions create the feeling of a benign and protected place sheltered from the pressures of the outside world. It is a calm and healing space to inhabit.
Local attractions
Principally the landscape which is stunning and offers clean air, peace, wonderful walks, and great runs. There is a local mountain – within an hour’s drive – from whose summit the views are superb. For bird-watchers, many raptors, including several species of eagle are plentiful; vultures, kites and buzzards can frequently be seen overhead. There is a local swimming lake within 6kms and a deep natural rock pool on site.
For those planning a two-week stay, bikes can be hired locally, and there is canoeing, rafting and a ropes course available within easy driving distance. Visits to see vultures feeding can also be arranged with a local friend and bird watcher given advance notice. From experience it is not feasible to pursue your own group objectives and include all these options within a one week stay.
On-site Facilities
Within this space sensitive landscaping has provided flat land for camping and for the construction of a large roofed structure; the Field Kitchen. This is the central living space for those who come to stay here. It has a stone fireplace designed as a gathering point in the evenings and as a practical cooking facility; there is even a wood fired oven – though it takes a bit of practice to master!
There is a fully-equipped camp kitchen within this open-sided building: two gas burners, a large commercial fridge, a traditional French outdoor sink for laundry and washing-up, and all the pots, pans, plates, and glasses needed to feed the hungry hordes. There is a picnic table for ten, and plenty of line space to dry clothes. Subdued LED lighting illuminates key areas in the evenings and there are low-wattage power sockets for charging mobile phones and computers.
Very near the Field Kitchen is a circular wooden shower with a solar-heated water supply, and beyond that a small natural rock climbing wall for the adventurous and a large wooden platform on which a 5.4 Mtr. diameter Yurt can be set up to provide a circular indoor meeting place. There is ample space in the canyon or under the cover of the Field Kitchen for most activities. Within the Field Kitchen there are books and games, table tennis, and free weights for those with energy to spare and muscles to nurture.
At the Mill house itself, there is a utility area with a second hot-water shower and a flushing toilet for the exclusive use of your group.
Accommodation
Each camper will be provided with a four-man tent. I do not provide sleeping bags or sleeping mats for these tents. There is a wide choice of places where tents can be pitched. The tents will need to be erected by your group on arrival and struck, dried and, if dry, re-packed on the day of departure.
Local facilities
Within a short drive, there are a supermarket, post office, train station and, this being France, any number of pharmacies. A tobacconist, several local bars, and a Sunday Market are all within 6 kms. A branch of Lidl is 15 kms away.
You and your group
My wish is to host well-organised, autonomous groups whose activity and objectives fall within the creative, positive, redemptive side of the complicated equation we call Life. Sadly this cannot include children; there are too many natural hazards to make this a safe environment for them or a relaxing experience for the adults who look after them. I do not want to give a proscriptive age range but responsible and adult people who are self organising and are up for outdoor living defines the sort of age group who would naturally work well within this space; as a rough guide, early 20’s to mid 40’s seems to work best.
Note that there is nothing available within easy walking distance in the way of shops, cafés, bars, or night life: these, where they exist, are only to be found in the nearby towns and villages and are accessible only by car. You should really think in terms of the group creating its own entertainment on site for the greater part of its time here.
I am especially drawn to groups pursuing creative projects: singers and musicians, philosophers, readers, dancers, story tellers, painters, cooks, and so on …… let me know what your group does and I will be happy to discuss with you whether what you are proposing would work well within this setting.
Initial contact should be made by the group organiser who should describe their objectives, propose dates, and give group numbers. It doesn’t have to be nine; a smaller well focussed group could work equally well, but nine is the maximum that can be accommodated. Please be prepared to give as much information as possible regarding your group.
Dates proposed are subject to availability; from experience they are likely to be between early July and late August. As there is some competition for these slots, once dates are agreed they must be committed to. Length of stay will normally be a seven day period; Saturday to Saturday. Two consecutive weeks can also be requested. Periods of less than a week are not recommended given the distances travelled to get here and the time many people need to adjust to a new situation and an outdoor life. At the end of each stay the group will be asked to clean up the facilities and return them to a close approximation to the pristine glory they displayed when the group arrived!
A thought to share with You
The Moulin is a private property owned and run by myself. It is not a business and the use of this venue is offered pro bono. The desire to create and run a venue for summer camps is born of the wish to enjoy an outdoor, creative and active retirement which aims to enrich life both for myself and for you. It is also a delight to share this amazing natural space with appreciative people. I will be living in the main house on site during your stay; I will be here to welcome the group on arrival, to liaise with the group leader, and to help the group settle in.
Apart from that, I will be living my life as normal; gardening, walking my dog, riding my horse, and maintaining the land. My aim is to be a benign and useful background presence, supporting group leaders in whatever way I can, to be enriched by what you are doing and to balance this with a quiet and essentially private life. Your understanding of the need to help me maintain this balance will be much appreciated.
I would like to add here that the Moulin is a gay-friendly venue should that be a consideration.
Apologies!
For the use of English for this website. I am very keen to welcome international groups but using one language keeps things simple!
And for the length and density of the information contained within these pages. The aim is to give you as clear a picture of the venue as possible and to help you decide if this might be the right place for your group. It also tends to sort the seriously interested from the casually curious! 😉
Once a booking is agreed, I will email the group leader a very simple document
this is in the form a check list to make sure all the main points have been covered and agreed.
Contact numbers and address details will also be exchanged at this stage, together with any further travel information you may need.
"Freundschaft durch Natur"Friendship through Nature