Have you ever stayed in a watermill

Than this is one of the few chances you'll get. Spend your holidays in Moulin de Laval in the centre of France. In this former watermill, neighbours are non existent: no hear, no see. Dogs are welcome. Moulin de Laval is an old watermill with a fast running brook next to it, situated between the trees. There are no neighbours, you are completely on your own. The house is flanked by enormous gardens (dogs welcome) that have natural fencing. You are in the middle of nature, listening to the relaxing sound of the brook, watching the birds fly by. If you are hungry for croissants or baguette, there is a bakery at 2 miles distance, and so are a butcher and a grocery. These house itself has most of the conveniences one expects, like a fireplace, a dish washer and free wifi. You are completely on your own and can use any part of the property: the house the gardens and the brook. Private parking for three cars. You have to put in a lot of effort if you want to meet other tourists. Some are there, but hidden. They hide on a small campground or in other holiday home. They never leave the property. So do you. No need to. But if you can't stand the quietness any longer, you can escape to the unassuming village of St Priest des Champs (bakery, butcher, grocery, post office), to be reached by a nice walk of a 2 minute drive. The more lively St Gervais d'Auvergne is a 10 minute ride. It features a sizeable Carrefour supermarket, een pharmacy, some restaurants and a bank with an ATM. Around the moulin you can take wonderful long walks (routes and maps available), go canoeing in the Sioule, cool down in the brook beside the mill, ride a horse and make trips to Clermont-Ferrand (a one hour drive), visit Viaduc de Fades (8 minutes) and visit the market of St Gervais d'Auvergne (10 minutes) on a Monday morning. Auvergne: hardly discovered Few tourists have discovered Auvergne, an area known for its sloping green hills, covered with pastures that are separated by bushy fences. The white Charolais cows stand out and seem to be orchestrated. Clermont-Ferrand, the capital, can be reached by car in an hour. It features an authentic old centre and an impressive cathedral. It's black: not of pollution and because of the lava stone that was used to build it. The well known volcanos Puy de Dôme en de Mont d'Or are close to Clermont. They are worth the climb. Clermont is the home town of Michelin, that offers an adventure centre. On your way to Clermont-Ferrand you will pas through Châteauneuf-les-Bains and Châtel-Guyon. Both places feature healing sources. Especially Châtel breathes a nostalgic atmosphere, where old ladies and gentlemen stroll in the park, carrying their bottles with precious healing waters. Every sip cures another ailment. A small version of Vichy, that lies 1,5 hour away. Expcept for July and August, 200 kwH is free for heating. In July and August 100 kWh. More: 16 cent per kWh.