Originally from Beauvais (60) where she owned two hairdressing salons, Cloé Landrieux wanted to "stop this profession for health reasons, but continue a business. I've always been attracted to running a B&B. So, with my husband Laurent, who is a sales representative in the grands crus, we took over in 2019 in Bois-Jérôme-Saint-Ouen, a house, a large plot of land and a forest from my grandparents. Initially, we wanted to put old trailers there, but it required too much maintenance for us who are not DIYers. So, in a former hunting lodge, we created our first lodge that works very well."
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But, as is often the case in this region, the property depended on an estate called Le Clos de la Mare aux Cerfs with its manor house and outbuildings, all fed before the arrival of running water by a water tower built in the 50s which rises to 15 metres: "It is on our land. So what to do with it since it has been disused for years? It is, after all, the heritage of the commune in a nature reserve. Why not turn it into an unusual cottage? " recalls the owner. "
Sunrise with deer
Thus, during eighteen months of work, "the water tower that was used as a dump was emptied, then completely repainted, keeping the concrete look. We then called on an architect and craftsmen from the Vexin. In an industrial spirit, they imagined and designed a custom-made spiral staircase with 68 different steps, an integrated kitchen with its own polished concrete worktop, three landings (living room, bathroom, toilet) supported by a metal structure worthy of Eiffel. They have also set up a large room in the tank with a view of the forest where you can contemplate the sunrise with the deer, rabbits and birds in the trees. The whole is surrounded by a private wood of 75 hectares composed of Douglas fir, cherry, oak and birch accessible for walks, a large car park, a petanque court. That's what appeals to our first residents. The unusual side and being able to recharge your batteries in the middle of nature near Giverny, Château-Gaillard and La Roche-Guyon. Some even came by bicycle via the Seine by bike," explains Cloé Landrieux, who also harvests birch sap from her trees.
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Available all year round since September 2023 for a couple on the sites of Gîte de France and Airbnb at prices of 290 euros in low season and 320 euros in high season for two nights, La Canopée cost 225,000 euros to the Landrieux couple supported for the coup by the Eure department to the tune of 10,000 euros "to fill the lack of tourist accommodation".