We are Ruby & Dimi the current guardians of La Belle Eco.

When we first walked through the gates of La Belle Eco, we knew almost immediately that we had found somewhere extraordinary.

It wasn't like the many châteaux and manor houses we had visited before. Hidden amongst ancient woodland and left largely untouched for over seventy years, it felt as though time had quietly stood still. There was something almost dreamlike about it—a secret world waiting to be rediscovered. We fell completely under its spell.

In many ways, La Belle Eco became the natural continuation of our own story.

We first met back in 1997. Although we fell in love, life had other plans and our paths drifted apart. We remained friends for many years before eventually losing touch altogether. Then, more than a decade later, while Ruby was travelling to Greece for a wedding, Dimitri unexpectedly appeared on Facebook. One message became another, and before long we found ourselves embarking on a second chance neither of us had expected.

As we travelled together, we discovered a shared love of nature, beautiful old places and thoughtful hospitality. We stayed in eco-retreats around the world, searching for inspiration for the kind of life we hoped to build. A weekend introduction to permaculture finally gave shape to something we had only been imagining: not simply restoring an old house, but becoming its temporary guardians.

We are not permaculture experts, but we were deeply inspired by its three simple principles.

Earth Care reminds us that every decision we make affects the landscape around us. Over the years we have planted a food forest, installed more than 100m² of solar panels, restored the gardens using no-dig methods, converted the swimming pool into a natural pool, installed an energy-efficient heat pump, and used compost toilets in our outdoor spaces. None of these choices were about perfection; they were simply our way of leaving this place a little healthier than we found it.

People Care is about creating somewhere that feels generous and welcoming. La Belle Eco is first and foremost our home, but for a few weeks each year we have the privilege of sharing it with others. Whether people visit for a wedding, a retreat, a family celebration or simply a quiet escape, we hope they leave feeling restored. We also love opening our doors to our local community through creative workshops, cultural events and collaborations with local artists and craftspeople.

Fair Share reminds us that enough is enough. We have never wanted La Belle Eco to become a commercial venue operating at full capacity every weekend. Instead, we choose to host only a small number of carefully selected gatherings each year. The income they generate allows us to continue restoring this remarkable place, caring for its woodland and gardens, and supporting the local people and businesses who make this region so special.

Taking on the restoration of a property of this size has been both a privilege and an enormous challenge.

Throughout the renovation we tried to resist the temptation to erase its history. We had visited so many beautifully restored properties that somehow all ended up looking exactly the same. We wanted La Belle Eco to keep its imperfections, its character and the feeling that generations had lived here before us.

Whenever possible we repaired rather than replaced. Original materials were reused, local antiques were rescued and given new life, and craftsmen helped us preserve details that might otherwise have disappeared. Sometimes this approach took far longer—and occasionally caused lively debates with our builders—but we have never regretted it.

Today, some of the furniture and architectural details have been part of the house since the nineteenth century. Others were found in local markets or antique shops and carefully restored. Guests often tell us they cannot tell which pieces are original and which we have added over the years.

For us, that is perhaps the greatest compliment of all.

Thank you for being part of the continuing story of La Belle Eco. We hope that while you're here you'll feel less like you're staying at a venue and more like you've been invited into a much-loved family home.

And before you leave, we'd love to know…

Can you spot which treasures have always belonged here?