Spend the night on a bed of straw in a hayloft, or in a treehouse, yurt or tipi on this farm in the Vosges. For something even more original, try the glass pyramid or a real Caravelle aeroplane transformed into a “loft”, with a living room and bedrooms set amid a large lawn. For those who dream of sleeping under the stars, but in the warm, the glass pyramid offers a unique experience. There are no curtains, but it is far enough away from other buildings to ensure privacy. • Treehouse (sleeps five) from €90 a night, Caravelle (sleeps six) from €110 a night (€25 heating charge November to March), pyramid (sleeps two) €100 a night, yurt (sleeps five) from €100 a night, tipi (sleeps four) from €65 a night, hayloft (sleeps five) €65 a night. Open from 1 April. +33 3 2930 1179, nuitsinsolites.com Photograph: PR
With its magnificent view of the Pyrenees, the hillside campsite run by Perry and Coline on Belrepayre farm is a major site for Airstream caravans thanks to Perry, a restoration expert. The camp has a little stand selling staples such as bread and croissants, ping-pong tables and table football. Guests can also enjoy a hot tub or a massage in a yurt. The Apollo Lounge bar in one of the restored Airstreams becomes the main attraction in the summer, when Perry organises movie nights and shows, and sometimes gets behind the turntables with his superb collection of 1950s-1970s vinyl, while his son, Coréo, performs magic tricks. • Rates €110-€200 a night, for two to four people depending on the season. Reduced rates for three nights or longer. Open 30 April-26 September, by reservation only. +33 5 6168 1199, airstreameurope.com Photograph: PR
Manufactured in Germany in 1923, Christophe and Jean-Philippe’s barge was given to the Allies by the Germans. Jean-Philippe, who works for Air France, took advantage of his travels to bring back nautical fixtures such as portholes from Bombay steamships, or plumbing from China, that give the boat a unique look. Today, the large, airy barge has a spacious dining room, kitchen and lounge, plus three nicely decorated bedrooms. Cabin three has a bath, and a bay window at water level so you can watch otters and waterfowl from your bed. The upper deck has sunloungers and potted plants, and guests can borrow bikes to ride along the towpaths. • Doubles €105-€125 a night, brunch included. Minimum stay one week in July and August, two nights at other times, open to end of October. +33 4 6726 0557 or +33 6 1111 0587, appartdesanges.com Photograph: PR
Not far from Annecy, this forest hideaway has two treehouses on a platform of decapitated tree trunks. The interiors feature lots of wood, soft colours and large bay windows with views of the Aravis mountains. In summer you can dine on terraces in the trees. Owner Patrice is a ski, paragliding, and hang-gliding instructor, as well as a helicopter pilot, and is willing to share his hobbies with adrenaline addicts. Guests can go canyoning, hiking, climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, and take boat rides on Lac d'Annecy. • From €310 a night for two, including 4x4 transport, dinner and breakfast. +33 6 7002 1014, ecotagnes.com Photograph: PR
Spend the night in a photographer’s studio in Lyon's old Saint-Jean quarter, which is decorated with vintage photos, cameras, lamps and more. The room is one of several occupying an extraordinary complex of four magnificent Renaissance buildings, connected by “traboules” (traditional passageways allowing inhabitants to pass from one building to another). Aother room is inspired by an Italian opera box – partly because an interior designer is on the hotel staff. There is also a cafe-grocery in a vaulted room doing affordable quality cuisine. • From €304 a night. +33 4 7277 4444, courdesloges.com Photograph: PR
Find a little corner of Africa at the heart of the Ardèche at the Tamana campsite, which has six wooden huts, safari tents and straw huts on platforms in the middle of wild natural surroundings. Inside, cushions, mats and coffee tables lend comfort, but there’s no electricity; showers are solar-powered and toilets are composting. Breakfast on the terrace includes West African specialities, and Senegalese or Mauritanian dinners are offered on some evenings. • €60 a night for two people; open June-September. +33 4 7597 2040 (Mondays to Fridays), +33 6 4599 2568 (weekends), campement-tamana.com Photograph: PR
Just a few steps from Saint-Ouen’s fleamarket, this former chimney store has been transformed into unique apartments. In garage-style Le Loft, a red 2CV convertible is an astonishing bed. Guests can watch a film on a large flatscreen TV, “drive-in” style. Another room, Le Studio, is entirely covered in aluminium foil. In a nearby street in the heart of the fleamarket, the owner has also refurbished L’Appart, which has a pink bedroom, green living room and an orange kitchen with a disco ball. • Le Loft (sleeps five) from €90 a night, Le Studio (sleeps three) from €71 a night, L’Appart (sleeps five) from €80 a night. +33 6 6319 1987, chezbertrand.com Photograph: PR
Chase the sun by staying in this house that rotates to follow it, like a sunflower. This ecological circular house, made entirely of wood, has four guest rooms, and lies in a small hamlet near the village of Chauffayer, at an altitude of 950m, with a magnificent view of the Ecrins Massif. There’s a whirlpool bath in the annexe. • €150 a night, half-board. +33 4 9221 4098, lechalet.biz Photograph: PR
These cadoles (named after the cabins generally built of dry stone that once sheltered wine growers in this part of southern Burgundy) are spectacular modernist structures. The bedrooms are designed like cocoons, with thick ribbons of hemp woven into a net over ceiling and walls. One is raised off the ground, the second sits between two 100-year-old oaks, and the third is under an apple tree. Each has a large bed, bathroom, small kitchen and living-room with balcony. The eco-project was conceived by Marie-Pierre Troisgros and her chef husband Michael, with award-winning architect Patrick Bouchain. Les Cadoles has a restaurant, Le Grand Couvert, but you can always drive 15km to Michael’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Roanne, Maison Troisgros.
• Suites for two, €260 a night, minimum two nights. +33 6 0358 30 45, troisgros.fr Photograph: PR
After success with its tree-climbing courses and bungee-jumping, offered both day and night here, Parc Canopée now offers overnight accommodation in hammocks strung between pine trees. There are 28 hammocks, one of which is for two people. You reach the hammocks by ladder or by following a tree-climbing course. Then there’s the matter of getting into the hammock, which quickly begins to rock. You’re given pillow and sleeping-bag, and perhaps a book and a torch. Then you’re left to spend a night under the stars surrounded by the sounds of the forest – securely attached to a harness. If the weather turns bad a supervisor leads everyone to shelter in a tent. Breakfast is served in the forest. • From €25 per person; open Saturday evenings in May and September, and every night in July and August. +33 6 1047 5302, canopeeaventure.com Photograph: PR
The Seeko’o Hôtel defies Bordeaux’s traditional accommodation by modelling itself on an iceberg, with a chunky white building and minimalist rooms. It is located right on the banks of the Garonne river, and has a spa with a large hammam, steam room and sauna. There are 45 junior suites, including two rooms with round beds, a terrace and great views of the wharf, and a suite with a wide-angle panoramic view. The bar offers cocktails created by chefs from local restaurants. • Rates from €199 for a junior suite to €390 for the panoramic suite, breakfast €20. +33 5 5639 0707, seekoo-hotel.com Photograph: PR
Post glamping, what do we call camping where you sleep in a tent dangling from a tree? Dangping? Hangping? This company calls it Plum’Arbres. With a floor made of catamaran netting, and customised mattresses, these tents offer a very comfortable night’s sleep according to previous guests, who say they are lulled by swaying in the breeze. A-un-Fil, the company that designed them, has 22 at a site in Trémargat on the shore of Kerne Uhel lake, hanging up to 12m above ground. See the website for other locations. • At heights of 2m or less €25pp a night, at heights of more than 2m: €45pp a night. Tents sleep two adults and one or two young children. Breakfast: €4.50. Bring your own sleeping bag and torch. Open May to September, but closed in bad weather. +33 6 8563 6367 or +33 2 9636 5887, a-un-fil.com Photograph: PR
This tipi camp with two vintage caravans has a lot of style. The tipis have a wooden terrace, while inside, wooden slats support elegant beds. The caravans have been perfectly restored and decorated in 1950s style and have beautiful outdoor bathrooms, with showers made from old wine casks. There’s an outdoor Jacuzzi surrounded by loungers and guests can rent a red 1960s Cadillac cabriolet (with chauffeur) to visit the region while enjoying a glass of champagne.
• Three teepees 130€-240€ a night for two, breakfast included; two 1960s caravans: 100€-160€ a night for two, extra bed, 20€. Table d’hôte dinner 38€ a head, cocktail included, wine extra. +33 9 7594 7037 or +33 6 1048 0163, lavillasantafe.com
Unusual Hotels: France by Stéphanie Dreuillet is published by Jonglez, £13.99 Photograph: PR
