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Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions

Photo gallery for Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions

Straw Angel Mill from the pinewood
Outdoor dining
Exterior
Kitchen
The house seen from the stream

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 10210 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

Map
D205, Églisolles, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, 63840
  • Parc Naturel Regional Livradois-Forez
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • 1900 School Museum
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Richard de Bas
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Saint-Etienne (EBU-Saint-Etienne - Loire Intl.)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

+2
4 Single Beds, 1 Crib and 1 Child Bed

Blue Rose (Bedroom 2)

1 Double Bed

River Room (Bedroom 1)

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions

The house is in the Parc Livradois Forez, a nature reserve in Puy De Dome, in the heart of the Auvergne, France's most unspoilt region. It is 900 metres above sea level and surrounded by forest and pastures, with many tracks and trails accessible from the house. Straw Angel Mill is ideal for those who love to be outdoors; whether hiking through the natural environment, relaxing by the stream in the privacy of the secluded wild garden or exploring an authentic region that hasn't been overwhelmed by tourists. Despite the house's secluded setting, both basic needs and special treats are within easy reach - a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk to Viverols, a small medieval town with a traditional French bakery open daily for fresh baguettes and pastries, and 5 minutes from a mountain pass with a restaurant serving delicious local food. There is a mountain lake for a cool dip in summer & a ski station in winter, 20 minutes away, and several marked mountain-bike circuits nearby.

Property manager

Sarah McQueen

Languages

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Steep open stairs - not ideal for toddlers
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Events

No events allowed
|Just respect the house and furnishings :)
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Not in the building- outside with care
Dogs are more than welcome but not on furnishings or in bedrooms. There is a dog bed, bowls, towel and a poop scoop & bin available to clean up after

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: |Just respect the house and furnishings :)
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Églisolles

Located in Églisolles, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Écomusée des monts du Forez and 1900 School Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Prabouré and Les Jonquilles. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Églisolles, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

What's nearby

  • Parc Naturel Regional Livradois-Forez - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Écomusée des monts du Forez - 10 min drive - 10.7 km
  • 1900 School Museum - 16 min drive - 15.2 km
  • Richard de Bas - 19 min drive - 17.9 km
  • Agrivap Train Touristique - 22 min drive - 20.8 km

Getting around

  • Andrezieux-Boutheon Marsac-en-Livradois Station - 14 min drive
  • Saint-Etienne (EBU-Saint-Etienne - Loire Intl.) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hôtel Restaurant Colomb les Voyageurs - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Auberge de Medeyrolles - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Le Relais du Vermont - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Chez l'Hôte - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Semicafra - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions located?

This family-friendly Églisolles holiday home is located on a river, steps from Parc Naturel Regional Livradois-Forez and within 12 mi (20 km) of Écomusée des monts du Forez and 1900 School Museum. Musée d'Histoire du 20e Siècle - Resistance et Deportation and Moulin de Vignal are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 26 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 26 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 26 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 26 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 26 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sylvie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent séjour
Grand gîte chaleureux et confortable, nous avons passé un séjour très agréable avec neige et soleil, avons apprécié le calme, ce qui nous a permis de nous reposer et de nous ressourcer. Très agréable de dormir dans les chambres à l’étage. Nous nous endormions avec les étoiles grâce aux velux. Cadre magnifique, de très belles balades au départ du gîte. Les enfants se sont régalés ( luge, construction d’un igloo, jeux dans la neige). Les chiens eux aussi ont bien profité du jardin et de la neige. Petite déception, amateurs de billard et de baby foot, nous avons été déçu par leur taille. Excellent contact avec les propriétaires qui étaient très disponibles.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

DOminique F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Une ancienne scierie bien agréable
Même en hiver, le gîte est confortable, bien équipé et joliment décoré. A revoir l’été…
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family gathering
We had a group of 6 adults, 2 dogs and a baby stay here for 2 weeks and it was a truly wonderful experience. The property is very special and full of character, the surroundings are stunning and invite true relaxation (the sound of the stream burbling will lull anyone into a relaxed stupor) and Sarah and the property manager were delightful to deal with.
Stayed 17 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ph A V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
lieu très sympathique peu adapté aux enfants bas age
tout a été super , la maison est très agréable avec un escalier d'accès assez raide et un terrain arrière très grand mais non nivelé. c'est dommage pour les chevilles. mais sinon c'était super,
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

nathalie c., Belgique

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Séjour début juillet à 3, avec nos 3 chiens
Petite semaine bien sympa début juillet, avec un bon 35° La maison est parfaite, bien au calme - ce que nous recherchions avant tout après une année bien compliquée... Chambres impeccables, cuisine fonctionnelle et complète Le plus de la maison : l'énorme terrasse couverte qui donne sur le jardin : un pur plaisir... Les 3 chiens ont adoré le jardin et la rivière en contrebas Que dire de plus : le paradis ! Nous y retournerons volontiers, d'autant plus que la région est juste magnifique !
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

christine m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Super semaine familiale en Auvergne dans une maison chaleureuse et accueillante
Belle ambiance dans cette maison rénovée avec soin et contact sur place sympathique et accommodant. L'environnement est optimal pour les amoureux de campagne et de nature.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christine S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
StawAngel
Parfait
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sébastien J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Calme, bien équipé, cadre idyllique
Maison rénovée avec goût, très bien équipée, idéalement située pour découvrir toutes les richesses du parc naturel. Nous (5 adultes et 3 enfants) avons passé un excellent séjour de 2 semaines. Sarah, la propriétaire, et David présent sur place sont disponibles, extrêmement réactifs et très sympathiques. Nous recommandons chaudement.
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

paul b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
À la maison mais ailleurs
Bien à tout point de vue. Très belle maison. Idéal famille
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

sylvain t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nous avons passé une très bonne semaine de vacances de plus la neige était au rendez-vous
La maison est très bien situé dans un cadre idyllique
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Emmely C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredible house
We stayed at the house for 7 days with 8 friends. We arrived sunday evening and there was some bread, cheese and fruit on the table for us. The house had everything we needed to cook (which is often not the case when you book a house!!), like pans, knives and herbs. We loved the way it was decorated!! In the village next to the house, you can find a bakery and a small store. In about a half hour you can drive to a bigger town with a big supermarket. We especially loved the beautiful garden, with a couple of hammocks to enjoy the sun. We went to a small lake a couple times and we also visited Lyon. I don't really have anything bad to say about our trip, it was so great! If you're looking for a house to stay with friends our family, I really recommend this one, because it is very well equiped and is located in a beautiful place. When speaking to Sarah, the owner, on the phone you could really hear how passionate she was about the house and you can see that when you arrive in the house aswell. We had a great time and we'll come back in the future!! Thank you!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Laurent L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Grande maison chaleureuse et conviviale pour un séjour de resourse en famille
Superbe location très bien équipé et très agréable au calme en pleine nature du livradois forez.

8/10 Good

Nadia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Heerlijk verblijf in Straw Angel Mill met fijne tuin in een prachtige omgeving.
De oude zaagmolen is door de eigenaren omgetoverd in een sfeervolle en persoonlijke woning. Door een mooie mix van oosterse attributen en prachtig nieuw timmerwerk wordt de geschiedenis van het pand eer aan gedaan. Op koelere avonden kun je op de open vliering toch nog beschut buiten zitten en genieten van de grote tuin. De beek die rond de tuin stroomt mag met recht een beek genoemd worden. In de tuin hebben wij heerlijk gebruik gemaakt van de BBQ en later op de afgekoelde zomerse avond genoten van de warmte van een kampvuur. Door het fijne contact met de eigenaren voor onze aankomst gaf ons al een warm welkom. Strawsangel Mill is een echte aanrader.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jérémie G.

Superbe expérience pour toute la famille
Partis en famille, nous avons passé un excellent séjour à Eglisolles. Le cadre est fantastique et la maison parfaite pour des vacances au calme. Le contact a été particulièrement agréable avec la propriétaire. Au total, une expérience 100% positive !
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cédric L., Rue

Amazing house
Nous avons eu enormement de plaisir dans cette magnifique maison renovee. 2 familles avec 4 enfants...le bonheur et plein de balades, jeu au bord de la riviere, visite, accueil incroyable,... merci pour tout
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Florence P., Paris, France

Un excellent séjour!
Dans cette maison, on trouve tout ce dont on a besoin, et même des choses auxquelles on n'aurait pas pensé. Et si, par hasard, il manque malgré tout quelque chose, David et Charlie, qui s'occupent du lieu en l'absence des propriétaires, se font un plaisir de fournir généreusement leur aide. La literie est très bonne, la vaisselle vraiment agréable, les revues anciennes sont vraiment intéressantes... chaque objet a une raison d'être. On a plutôt l'impression d'être chez des amis très discrets... Nous avons fait un excellent séjour!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Ullrich M.

We had a great time in the house.
We liked the nice house located in the nature. Everyone who is looking for a nice and calm holiday in nature will be delighted. We will come back again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Hilary C., Ashurst Wood

Great place to stay
We had an excellent week here, the house is beautiful and very comfortable. The sound of the stream sends you to sleep every night and having breakfast on the deck was a lovely start to the day. We cycled in to Viverols most days to get croissants and the walks around are amazing. The property is particularly well stocked with maps, walking guides and information. The mountain activities place above St Anthelme was fantastic: the 800m zip wire is quite an experience. We also walked to the local Auberge (Relais du Vermont) for an excellent lunch - really good food. Would definitely go back.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

david c.

A great get away from it all place!
We had the most fantastic 2 weeks here - Clean air, lovely walks in the woods and characterful villages. We received a warm welcome and the house was is good shape. Hope to return next year.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wendy T.

Fabulous house & setting.
We had a lovely time at Straw Angel - loved the house and the area. The house was beautifully presented and the welcome provisions were extremely welcome at midnight when we eventually arrived. Charlie was very helpful and pointed us in the right direction for a Vide Grenier and a high wire activity place near Le Puy - we picked up a handful of leaflets and left them in your activity folder - Canopy en Foret I think they were called. We went there on the Monday and the guys who now run it were excellent and the afternoon good value. We hired extra bikes one afternoon and suffered for it riding from Usson to St. Bonnet Le Chateau visiting the Resistance Museum on the way. Towards the end of the week the weather was fabulous and we went rafting near La Privat (?) - again left leaflets at the house. That was fantastic and I would strongly recommend it to everyone - you travel down a particularly beautiful gorge and there is just enough leisurely paddling and white knuckle riding to suit everyone in the family and again the guys who run it were excellent at their rather enviable job. I think your house is lovely and well equipped, comfortable and warm and your guests, like us, very lucky to stay there. I'm sure we'll be in touch again soon to book another week.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alex F.

Perfect for a relaxing holiday
We had a lovely week at Straw Angel Mill - the accommodation was wonderfully quirky and had everything we needed, and more! The local area is beautiful - ideal for walking and hilly cycling. From breakfast overlooking the garden in the early morning sunshine to lazing around in the hammock by the river - time slowed to the perfect holiday pace!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

AN AMAZING WEEK IN AUVERGNE
Myself and 7 university friends (all in our mid-twenties) spent a week at the heavenly Straw Angel Mill in June 2013. If you want to spend a week (or more..which you will) away from everything, the idyllic hamlet of Paillange is perfect for you. Far enough out in the country that you feel at peace and have space to relax, yet the nearest town Eglisolles is just a 5 minute drive or 20-30 min walk. and further afield there is a plethora of charming French villages, sights and larger towns to explore. The house has been beautifully renovated whilst still retaining its charm, with lots of exposed woodwork and beams, it easily slept all 7 of us! with 2 beautiful double bedrooms overlooking the stream and an open plan attic space that easily sleeps 6! The house is fully equipped with everything you could need to enjoy your time there. We particularly enjoyed BBQ-ing outdoors, clearing the mezzanine dining are for morning yoga sessions, walking up the stream, spending the day at the local lake in St. Antheme, wandering round the beautiful Ambert and just generally enjoying the peaceful surrounding with some good drink and food. The owners Sarah & David are charming, polite and very knowledgable about the area, happy to answer any questions about the Auvergne and make recommendations for things to do, see and eat! You can tell they have put all their enthusiasm into the house! They couldn't have made the booking process easier either, all in all an idyllic house in a glorious location. I would definitely go back over and over again!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

An Abundance of Life!
Last July we stayed at Straw Angel Mill for the first time, and we loved it so much that we went back again this September. We were delighted to find that there were still wild flowers everywhere, and an abundance of crickets, grasshoppers, moths, butterflies, bats... on walks from the house we saw a red squirrel, a polecat and tawny owls, and were lucky enough to see a deer, a stoat and a hoopoe in the garden! This area truly is a wildlife lovers' paradise. Lots of foraging possibilities too: hazel nuts, sweet chestnuts and blackberries, whereas last July it was mostly wild strawberries and raspberries. The house is lovely; a peaceful space with some beautiful touches and an emphasis on natural materials. I love the Straw Angel symbol in the wooden shutters! We enjoyed sitting at the end of the beautiful wild garden to catch the last of the sunshine, and it was so hot for most of our two weeks that we were able to make good use of the delightful hammocks in shady areas by the stream. I'm sure there is lots to see and do in the wider area but we only got the car out three days in two weeks - there are so many beautiful walks from the house, and everything we needed in town, not to mention the wonderful Auberge at the top of the hill - a must for a high quality, good value lunch! Thanks for providing the bikes: Peter cycled in to town most days while I was writing (the Mill is a wonderful space for creativity), and we went out for a big ride one day. So now we know how lovely it is there in summer and autumn, we think that next year we will have to try late spring, when I believe the wild flowers are spectacular!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

SAMANTHA BROOKS

Peace at last!
We live in the Alps and were looking for a get-away-from-it-all location for a long weekend with our dog. Sarah was kind enough to let us rent the mill for a few nights (as it was out of season) and we couldn't have wished for more. We loved the fact that there was no Wifi and phone reception only from the kitchen window. It meant that we just enjoyed the countryside, eating, drinking and playing Scrabble! Viverols is small but has all the amenities you need, the food at the Auberge up the road was local & totally scrumptious and the various footpaths near the mill kept the dog happy. It snowed, which is very unusual for this time of year, but the mill was toasty warm. It did mean we couldn't make much use of the garden, but I can imagine how lovely it must be in summer, particularly with the covered outside space. The mill is well-equipped in the kitchen and with games & books. Luckily the wood-burner, tins of candles and gas oven came into their own when we had a power-cut! We hope to return one day, next time with a group of friends. It was a great cosy weekend getaway, but is also definitely a place for summer BBQs and late-night guitar playing!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Justin H., Amsterdam

Charming Getaway
The pictures on the website give an inkling of this charming getaway. We wanted a place off the beaten track away from the hordes of tourists in Europe in July but with modern comforts and plenty of room. My teenage daughters discovered that there is life without internet. We all had a marvelous time. We visited the neighboring village Viverols and the nearest market town Ambert had everything we needed. The mountain lake was quite refreshing so we went there often. A perfect place for a peaceful holiday.

About the host

Hosted by Sarah McQueen

Host profile image
As a family we lived and worked abroad in various countries for many years; when we moved back to England in 2006 we missed having space to roam. Buying an old mill and converting it gradually has been a real adventure and has provided us with enough space to invite both friends and family, whilst getting away and relaxing ourselves. The sheer delight every year when we arrive and the kids and dog run around checking out the rooms and garden seems incremental - each time we leave we miss it more and each time we return we value it more. One day we may live here full-time but until then it seems a shame to leave it empty and not to share!

Why they chose this property

We really loved the Auvergne and had been holidaying nearby for a few years. We planned to get something small and sensible, but fell in love with the house at first sight, despite its original condition, and especially the wildness of its secluded garden bordered by a stream and tall trees.

This spot feels special both geographically (part of the volcanic mountain range of Puy de Dome)and historically. The house was built into the rock of the hillside early last century but there has been a mill on the site since the Cassini map in at least the 17th century.

Coming here is always a great escape; a chance to reconnect with nature, whether foraging for wild blueberries or mushrooms in the woods or sitting around a bonfire under the stars.

What makes this property unique

Every year we holiday at Straw Angel Mill with friends and family, and each year we find something new to explore. It is great to have plenty of outdoor space for the kids and the dog to run wild; barbecuing, dining al fresco, walking, foraging, cycling, swimming, watching regenerates us for another year back at work in England.

David Arnold, a furniture designer-maker living in a converted 1920's hydroelectric station in nearby Usson -En-Forez, has been gradually transforming the house with his beautiful arched bespoke oak windows, doors and shutters.

In 2012 we had our first guests who booked a three week block. Encouragingly, they booked a 2 month slot for 2013 which is quite an endorsement!

Languages:

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
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