About us
Our story: life in the countryside of central France
In 2017, we — Ron and Ellen — left the Netherlands with a shared dream: to build a life surrounded by nature, history and quiet spaces. In 2023, our son Thomas joined us here at La Cour d’Enchère.
We had always imagined a place like this: where mornings begin with bird song, evenings fade slowly into night, and guests feel at home in the calm of the countryside.
When we discovered Saint‑Palais, a small village in the heart of the Allier, we immediately felt we had found that place. The tranquillity, the old stone houses, the winding streets and the peaceful river all seemed to whisper “welcome”.
La Cour d’Enchère itself dates back to 1601. Once a self‑sufficient farm, it remained in the same family for centuries. To us, that history was not only something to preserve — it was something to live within, to add a new chapter to.
Why we chose this life
The Allier drew us not for its fame, but for its quiet beauty. Rolling fields, small medieval villages, gentle hills, rivers and farmland — a rhythm of life that feels natural and unhurried.
This region also has a climate that feels just right: warm days and cool nights, fields of sunflowers and wheat in the summer, and open skies that let you see the stars clearly at night.
What made us stay is not just the beauty, but the way the countryside invites you to slow down, breathe and simply be.
A Place to Share with Our Guests
La Cour d’Enchère is not a hotel or a busy resort. It is a small, kleinschalig and welcoming place — with a campsite, glamping tents, chambres d’hôtes, and a gîte — where guests can enjoy the rustig surroundings, explore the landelijk countryside at their own pace, meet others around a campfire or in the lounge, and share simple meals and authentic conversation.
Whether you walk Het Franse Pad, come with family, join a music week, or stay for days of peace and exploration, La Cour d’Enchère is a place where you can truly land. For us, hospitality is not just a job — it is the joy of sharing what we love about this landelijk, authentic setting with everyone who visits.
The spirit of this place
Some people arrive with questions and leave with calm.
Others find inspiration in the quiet, the birdsong at sunrise, or the glow of the fire in the evening.
Children discover nature at their pace, while adults find themselves again in simplicity.
That is the spirit of La Cour d’Enchère:
quiet days, honest meals, gentle evenings, and meaningful time — without hurry.
We’re happy to meet you
When you visit us, you are not a number.
You are a guest in our home — and we hope you will leave feeling rested, inspired, and quietly connected to this land.
If you ever want to know more about us, the history of the property, or our life here, we’re happy to tell you over a cup of coffee or a walk around the grounds.
In 2017, we — Ron and Ellen — left the Netherlands with a shared dream: to build a life surrounded by nature, history and quiet spaces. In 2023, our son Thomas joined us here at La Cour d’Enchère.
We had always imagined a place like this: where mornings begin with bird song, evenings fade slowly into night, and guests feel at home in the calm of the countryside.
When we discovered Saint‑Palais, a small village in the heart of the Allier, we immediately felt we had found that place. The tranquillity, the old stone houses, the winding streets and the peaceful river all seemed to whisper “welcome”.
La Cour d’Enchère itself dates back to 1601. Once a self‑sufficient farm, it remained in the same family for centuries. To us, that history was not only something to preserve — it was something to live within, to add a new chapter to.
Why we chose this life
The Allier drew us not for its fame, but for its quiet beauty. Rolling fields, small medieval villages, gentle hills, rivers and farmland — a rhythm of life that feels natural and unhurried.
This region also has a climate that feels just right: warm days and cool nights, fields of sunflowers and wheat in the summer, and open skies that let you see the stars clearly at night.
What made us stay is not just the beauty, but the way the countryside invites you to slow down, breathe and simply be.
A Place to Share with Our Guests
La Cour d’Enchère is not a hotel or a busy resort. It is a small, kleinschalig and welcoming place — with a campsite, glamping tents, chambres d’hôtes, and a gîte — where guests can enjoy the rustig surroundings, explore the landelijk countryside at their own pace, meet others around a campfire or in the lounge, and share simple meals and authentic conversation.
Whether you walk Het Franse Pad, come with family, join a music week, or stay for days of peace and exploration, La Cour d’Enchère is a place where you can truly land. For us, hospitality is not just a job — it is the joy of sharing what we love about this landelijk, authentic setting with everyone who visits.
The spirit of this place
Some people arrive with questions and leave with calm.
Others find inspiration in the quiet, the birdsong at sunrise, or the glow of the fire in the evening.
Children discover nature at their pace, while adults find themselves again in simplicity.
That is the spirit of La Cour d’Enchère:
quiet days, honest meals, gentle evenings, and meaningful time — without hurry.
We’re happy to meet you
When you visit us, you are not a number.
You are a guest in our home — and we hope you will leave feeling rested, inspired, and quietly connected to this land.
If you ever want to know more about us, the history of the property, or our life here, we’re happy to tell you over a cup of coffee or a walk around the grounds.