Les Gîtes de la Borie

In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, between wooded valleys and vines that turn red in autumn, Saint-Hippolyte still bears that quiet face of the French countryside where time stretches gently. It is in this rural setting that Les Gîtes de la Borie takes shape — a property rooted in stone, true to the region's farmhouse architecture, with its thick walls that hold the cool in summer and retain warmth as soon as the air turns cold.

The borie, in local tradition, is the shepherd's shelter, the dry-stone hut standing in the middle of the fields. Here, the name carries a promise: that of an authentic refuge, far from manufactured décor. The property accommodates up to 21 guests across 10 rooms, making it an ideal venue for large family gatherings, celebrations with friends, or retreats looking to step outside conventional settings. You come together, you spread out, you breathe.

Group life naturally organises itself around the shared spaces. In the evenings, the fire crackles in the fireplace and board games take over the table — those screen-free moments where conversations last longer than anyone expected. When the weather allows, the barbecue takes over outside: grilling under the stars, glasses raised, conversations stretching well past dessert. The dishwasher and washing machine are part of everyday life here, because a long stay deserves comfort, not compromise.

The surrounding countryside invites leisurely wandering — farmers' markets, hiking trails, medieval villages within easy driving distance. You always come back to the gîte with arms full of local cheeses or a bottle found at a nearby winemaker.

What guests take away when leaving Les Gîtes de la Borie is rarely something they could have named in advance: a table that brought everyone together, the crack of wood in the hearth, the smell of earth after rain. Memories that smell of the real.