Fully renovated independent studio, deep in the Haute-Loire countryside, perfect for a restful stay whether you're on your own, as a couple, or three (a floor mattress is available for the third guest). Set at altitude, it stays pleasantly cool even at the height of summer; central heating for the chillier days. Inside you'll find the essentials and a little more: WiFi, smart TV (Netflix, Molotov), induction hob, microwave/grill oven, kettle, sink, fridge-freezer, washing machine, crockery and pots. Shower room with shower, washbasin and WC. Bed linen and towels provided. For sleeping, a very comfortable king-size bed plus a floor mattress. Outside, a private, tree-shaded space with a gazebo, a table and 4 chairs for meals in the open air, 2 sun loungers and 2 swings; free parking on site. Good to know: the studio is reached by a small flight of steps.

I come from the Ardèche, near Sarras, up on a little hill, where the summers have become really too hot for me — each to their own. I moved a bit further north, here in the Haute-Loire, at 850 m above sea level, where the stone house keeps its coolness even in a heatwave. Above all, it was the quiet that won me over. I'd be delighted to share it with you.

You're truly out in the countryside, set back from the main road: it's quiet, and mostly what you'll hear are the birds — and now and then a rooster or the neighbour's hens. The garden is a fine spot to read or do nothing at all. Tence, the nearest village, is close by for groceries, the market and a bite to eat: several good tables that won't break the bank, plus the renowned cuisine of Saint-Bonnet-le-Froid (the Marcon family) 20 minutes away. For nature, Lac de Lavalette (sailing, kayaking, pedalos, supervised swimming in summer) is under ten minutes away, and the beach at Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, a lake laid out on the Lignon river, about twenty. For walkers and cyclists, the Via Fluvia (a car-free greenway on a former railway line) is about ten kilometres away, over towards Montfaucon; the road climbs a little from the studio, so depending on how you feel you can cycle there or load the bikes into the car. And for a lovely outing, the Gorges du Lignon Himalayan footbridge, the longest in France (268 m, 78 m above the river): about 20 minutes by car, then a pleasant walk.