Hi! Our gite/guesthouse is linked to our Chambres d'hotes. Our aim is to make your stay with us feel happy, comfortable and optimistic. We came to France from the UK last year, seeking a new life so that we could embrace a fresh culture and enjoy helping our customers have great free time and holidays. The gite is recently converted from a large barn. It is spread over three tastefully decorated floors and is comfortably decorated. We are surrounded by fields and just 1 km from a small village with a little cafe. We have good restaurants fairly close and visitors can enjoy fishing, cycling and walking. You can see the volcanoes of the Chaine des Puys from the property and they are within easy reach if you would like to visit the Volcania theme park or climb the famous Puy de Dome with it's Roman Temple. Shopping is also fairly close and we are within an hour of Vichy and Clermont Ferrand. Le Mont Dore Ski resort is just one hour away should you wish to have a day's skiing on the slopes. We look forward to making your stay as comfortable as possible and we would dearly love to see you here at Lava Lodge.

Gary and I (Amanda) are passionate about everything we do! Whether it's our animal rescue projects, (we have two retired racing greyhounds), our foreign travel (we love holidays!), or our zest for adventure. In fact our whole time together has been an adventure, but now it is time to help other people realize their dreams and have a lovely holiday!. We met working as volunteers in a local theatre, although our proper jobs previously, were as a welder/engineer (Gary) and medical rep (Amanda). We got married five years ago in Las Vegas and we initially bonded over our love for animals, specifically rescue dogs. Our two greyhounds have traveled with us to France and we are now enjoying learning a new culture, a new language and entertaining our guests. We have a Chambre d'hote and a gite which were impressively renovated by the previous owner - a very talented Dutchman. We would love to meet you and look forward to you visiting us in Espinasse.

Oh my goodness! You will love this little village if you like peace, quiet and rural charm. We live about half a mile up the hill from the village of Espinasse, in a little hamlet called Le Mazet. Our neighbours are farmers and there are numerous tracks and paths for you to explore locally if you like walking or cycling. The village has two small cafe/bars but if you would like a good restaurant, there is the Castle in Saint Gervais d'Auvergne or the amazing Beau Site in the Sioule valley just half an hour away. We are surrounded by history with numerous "Sites de la resistance", and the largest roman temple in France at the top of the famous Puy De Dome Volacno. In fact.....not many people know that there are volcanoes in France. We have 80 volcanoes in the Chaine des Puys range, which is on our doorstep, and you can visit the Volcania theme park which is just an hour away. Le Mont Dore ski resort is an hour away if you fancy a day's skiing in the winter and there are numerous canoeing and kayaking opportunities within half an hour of our property. There is just so much to do - to much to mention; so please come and visit us to find out for yourselves.