Luxury, calm and the Milky Way…
There are needs for serenity, desires for silence… and rare moments to satisfy them! Like an immense, unspoilt natural setting, the Ferney valley has ennobled a precious stone: the Ferney Nature Lodge… A look back at this unique, eco-responsible experience of reconnecting with the earth.
Delphine Raimond
At the entrance to the site, I head for the adorable little colonial house that houses the lodge reception. As I go through the few formalities of checking in, finding out about catering times, how my stay works and other useful information, I can’t imagine what’s waiting for me “up there”!
A 4X4 soon takes me into Ferney’s hilly immensity, first skirting the cane fields, then treading the chaotic paths of the chassé, where the last rays of sunlight are still flooding in. The colors are sublime, the vegetation alternates between hills, forests and verdant meadows. As the vehicle climbs, I realize how lucky I am to be here.
The magic of the place
The discovery of the lodge leaves me speechless, so breathtaking is the panorama! The welcome is cheerful, and you can already feel the pleasure that all the staff take in working here. The spacious main lodge, with its walls adorned with deer heads, houses a bar, lounges and the restaurant’s four tables. The building is topped by a cathedral roof structure that supports the column of a central fireplace where a wood fire crackles all year round. The decor, both authentic and uncluttered, features raw materials, unbleached colors and suspended lights. The space opens onto a terrace overlooking the silent valley and an infinity pool. In the same spirit of an invitation to gentle languor, four luxurious, comfortable lodges (accommodating up to two adults and two young children) offer the same breathtaking views.
A feast for the eyes
While the enchantment of the place lies in the simple joy of resting and letting go, Ferney Nature Lodge offers a wide range of activities, both on site and in the surrounding area: morning yoga, guided tours of the conservation area, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding… and many other surprises! By the time I realize where I am – or rather, forget that I’m in Mauritius! – and here I am, in a 4X4 under Sergio’s expert guidance, for half an hour of bumpy climbing… Here and there, deer come to a halt… and I wonder who’s watching whom! The vehicle stops its ascent on a grassy promontory offering a 360° view of the valley tinged with the orange-red of dusk. Sergio sets up a small table, complete with a selection of gadjaks, cheeses and drinks, for a singular aperitif… in the tranquil setting sun.
Come and experience it for yourself. The excellent dinners and breakfasts, the comfort of the lodge, waking up to the sunny hills, the peaceful chirping of the birds, total disconnection… far from all environmental and noise pollution!
