Journey to Mas Merlin

Located on the quiet Parc Naturel Régional des Causses du Quercy, the Mas Merlin is surrounded by incredible biodiversity. Nature is omnipresent and the hamlet seems to be in total harmony with the surroundings. The gîte is labelled Valeur Parc, so it contributes to “the attachment to the territory, by preserving and enhancing the architectural heritage“. Jacques, a well-known artisan mason, has breathed new life into the hamlet, with a desire to respect and be in tune with the setting. “We’re in love with old stones, they’re in our DNA“. Here, everything is authentic, “we work with salvaged materials, with old techniques like lime plaster“. The decoration, elegant and meticulous, is found by Catherine, in flea markets and garage sales in the Lot. Rehabilitating this hamlet, working with the typical materials of the region was important to the Bariviera family. “Here, it’s our 5th child, we put all our energy and heart into it“!

Several of the buildings belonged to Jacques’ grandfather, Félicien, a former tenant farmer. An ideal place to hide during the war, the houses were subsequently abandoned. Long afterwards, in 1996, Catherine and Jacques set aboutrestoring the ruins. “It’s a family affair, everyone pitched in and even today, our 4 children are very much on hand to help“. This secluded spot is a real treasure, everything has been meticulously crafted, the stone houses, the terrace and its view over the Lot valley, the piscine surrounded by the forest of oaks. As the owners say, “We feel like we’re on vacation, every time we set foot here“!