From Africa to the Cantal: When the flavour of the Luxury Lodge meets the authenticity of Auvergne

Imagine… The sun setting over an endless savanna, painting the sky with flamboyant hues. The silence broken only by the distant cry of a baboon or the roar of a lion. You are comfortably settled in a lodge, the discreet luxury of your refuge blending perfectly into the surrounding nature. This image is that of the African luxury lodge, a promise of escape, reconnection, and total immersion in the heart of the great outdoors.

For many, this experience remains a distant dream, often associated with the far-off horizons of Kenya, Namibia, or Botswana. And often, time prevents such a distant escape. What if we told you that the very essence of this travel philosophy – this luxury of wide-open spaces and wild authenticity – is found much closer to you, in central Europe, in the very heart of France? A luxury lodge in the Auvergne’s Wilderness.
It was this audacious vision that guided us in bringing « instants d’Absolu » – Ecolodge & Spa to life in 2010 – 15 years ago already – at a time when the concept of an ecolodge in France was almost unknown. We were driven by the desire to create and share a unique “art of natural living,” fusing the African dream with the majestic volcanoes of secret Auvergne. Facing moutain Lac du Pêcher.

The call of wide-open spaces: from the savanna to the Massif Central

Those accustomed to safaris and luxury lodge stays know this incomparable feeling: a deep communion with nature, attentive yet discreet service, and the impression of being both protected and free within untamed wilderness. Because it’s not just accommodation; it’s an entire philosophy that underpins its spirit, a way to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with the essential.

Here, no lions or elephants, but wildlife and flora of unsuspected richness… deer and hinds, roe deer, foxes, badgers, squirrels, and a whole range of birds… from jays and crossbills to be found in the forest, to crested grebes, egrets, or herons to observe on the lake waters. The air is pure, silence reigns supreme, and as night falls, the stars twinkle with a forgotten intensity in the city. It is in this magnificent setting that we built what has become a true luxury ecolodge in Auvergne, France, a sanctuary where elegance meets ecology.

“instants d’Absolu”: Pioneers of the Ecolodge in France

When we opened “instants d’Absolu” – Ecolodge & Spa, there was no pre-existing model for an ecolodge in France. The term itself was fledgling when our vision was clear: to offer the well-being of a hotel Spa in Auvergne that was not a vacation spot but a destination in itself. A place where every detail should reflect a deep respect for the environment and a promise of absolute well-being.

Embracing this intention of an ecolodge in France means so much more to us than a simple label. It’s a deep commitment reflected since the rehabilitation of this three-hundred-year-old farm through the use of local and sustainable materials (roofing in Corrèze slate, cellulose wadding insulation, recycled fiber carpet tiles…), but also responsible water and energy management (with the installation of a wood chip boiler), cuisine that prioritizes seasonal products from local producers, as well as from our greenhouse and vegetable garden, and ultimately, a perfect landscape integration facing the lake, which our guests particularly enjoy from the lakeside terrace. We are more than happy to have paved the way for eco-responsible luxury, proving if proof were needed that it is possible to offer sustainable luxury without compromising on comfort or experience.
Here was the very intention of our luxury lodge in Auvergne, France.

Luxury Reimagined: the Lodge experience in the heart of Cantal

What is luxury if not the possibility of affording what is most precious: time, space, and serenity? Here, luxury is not measured by ostentatious opulence but by the authenticity of materials, the finesse and discretion of the service, and the quality of an inspired and carefully prepared cuisine.

Our rooms and Suites, true cocoons of comfort, contribute to a time of rejuvenation, and every detail is designed for your well-being: quality furniture and bedding, organic cotton linen, environmentally friendly welcome products. This is the very essence of a luxury hotel in Auvergne, but with that very special soul that makes lodges renowned.

The experience extends into our Spa in Auvergne, a haven of peace where water and nature are paramount. Imagine relaxing in our Fountain of Youth bath, created by and for our home… right on the lake’s edge, enjoying a tailor-made treatment in our treatment grotto inspired by this volcanic land, or simply surrendering to the silence of the hammam or sauna. It’s an invitation to total disconnection, to a deep regeneration of body and mind, an undeniable added value for travelers seeking well-being. Our hotel Spa Cantal is a place where every moment is an enchanting interlude, far from the daily hustle and bustle. But in reality, a parenthesis we invite you not to close…

Auvergne: a Land of promises and Adventures

The Cantal, Auvergne is not just a backdrop; it’s a full-fledged participant in your stay. For lovers of wide-open spaces, the volcanic ridges, lakes and peat bogs, deep forests, and immense plateaus are all invitations to exploration and wonder.

Whether you are a hiking enthusiast, a horseback rider, a mountain biker, or simply seeking contemplative strolls, you will undoubtedly find your happiness with our guidance. A gentle immersion, at your own pace, in preserved nature awaits you. This natural richness precisely established the very spirit of the ecolodge in France, offering a true symbiosis between accommodation and environment. Even more than a luxury lodge for breaks design for Europeans.

Your next Journey: from Africa to the ecolodge in France

If the call of wide-open spaces resonates within you, if discreet luxury and a deep connection with nature are essential values in your eyes, then “instants d’Absolu” – Ecolodge & Spa is your next destination. It is a gateway to a reinvented travel experience, a tribute to the pioneering spirit of African lodges, rooted in the wild beauty of the Cantal… where the luxury of wide-open spaces is within reach.

Ready to experience this enchanted interlude? Book your stay at ‘instants d’Absolu’, your luxury ecolodge in the Auvergne, now with the special welcome code: PAUSE15 and let yourself be transported by the magic of the Cantalien highlands.