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Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions

Photo gallery for Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions

Straw Angel Mill from the pinewood
Outdoor dining
Exterior
The house seen from the stream
Lounge

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 10210 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1: River Room (first floor)

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2: Blue Rose Room(first floor)

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3: Rooftop Double Bedroom(second floor)

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4: Children's Attic (second floor)

4 Single Beds

Living Room 1

2 Child Beds

1 bathroom, 2 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1(first floor)

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Shower room(ground floor)

Towels provided · Shower only

Toilet & sink (ground floor)

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions

The house is in the Parc Livradois Forez, a nature reserve in Puy De Dome, in the heart of the Auvergne, France's most unspoilt region. It is 900 metres above sea level and surrounded by forest and pastures, with many tracks and trails accessible from the house. Straw Angel Mill is ideal for those who love to be outdoors; whether hiking through the natural environment, relaxing by the stream in the privacy of the secluded wild garden or exploring an authentic region that hasn't been overwhelmed by tourists. Despite the house's secluded setting, both basic needs and special treats are within easy reach - a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk to Viverols, a small medieval town with a traditional French bakery open daily for fresh baguettes and pastries, and 5 minutes from a mountain pass with a restaurant serving delicious local food. There is a mountain lake for a cool dip in summer & a ski station in winter, 20 minutes away, and several marked mountain-bike circuits nearby.

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Steep open stairs - not ideal for toddlers
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Events

No events allowed
|Just respect the house and furnishings :)
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Not in the building- outside with care
Dogs are more than welcome but not on furnishings or in bedrooms. There is a dog bed, bowls, towel and a poop scoop & bin available to clean up after

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: |Just respect the house and furnishings :)
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Églisolles

Located in Églisolles, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Écomusée des monts du Forez and 1900 School Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Prabouré and Les Jonquilles. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Églisolles, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

What's nearby

  • Parc Naturel Regional Livradois-Forez - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Le Puy Cathedral - 57 min drive - 64.7 km
  • University Hospital of Saint-Etienne - 57 min drive - 67.3 km
  • Stade Geoffroy-Guichard - 59 min drive - 70.2 km
  • Zenith Saint-Etienne Metropole - 60 min drive - 70.9 km

Getting around

  • Andrezieux-Boutheon Marsac-en-Livradois Station - 14 min drive
  • Saint-Etienne (EBU-Saint-Etienne - Loire Intl.) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rival - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Hôtel Restaurant Colomb les Voyageurs - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪La Terrasse de Sully - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪La Pidoumerie - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪@Grgouze - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions?

As of 26 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions on 26 March 2026 start from NZ$345, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Converted Sawmill Located In One Of France's Most Unspoilt Regions located?

Situated on a river, this holiday home is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Parc Naturel Regional Livradois-Forez and within 12 miles (20 km) of Écomusée des monts du Forez and 1900 School Museum. Richard de Bas and Musée d'Histoire du 20e Siècle - Resistance et Deportation are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 31 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Archival

10/10 Excellent

Alex F.

Perfect for a relaxing holiday

We had a lovely week at Straw Angel Mill - the accommodation was wonderfully quirky and had everything we needed, and more! The local area is beautiful - ideal for walking and hilly cycling. From breakfast overlooking the garden in the early morning sunshine to lazing around in the hammock by the river - time slowed to the perfect holiday pace!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kate P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family gathering

We had a group of 6 adults, 2 dogs and a baby stay here for 2 weeks and it was a truly wonderful experience. The property is very special and full of character, the surroundings are stunning and invite true relaxation (the sound of the stream burbling will lull anyone into a relaxed stupor) and Sarah and the property manager were delightful to deal with.
Stayed 17 nights in Sep 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Hilary C.

Great place to stay

We had an excellent week here, the house is beautiful and very comfortable. The sound of the stream sends you to sleep every night and having breakfast on the deck was a lovely start to the day. We cycled in to Viverols most days to get croissants and the walks around are amazing. The property is particularly well stocked with maps, walking guides and information. The mountain activities place above St Anthelme was fantastic: the 800m zip wire is quite an experience. We also walked to the local Auberge (Relais du Vermont) for an excellent lunch - really good food. Would definitely go back.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A week was not enough!

We are a family of 6- kids loved it as did we. Stream was a constant tinkling presence in which our daughter spent a whole day just playing with rocks. So much room to spread out- good playing areas- Road is not a noticeable factor as so little traffic. We went on walks- visited markets- went canoing on the Loire (highlight for the kids). It’s a very outdoor sort of area- getting places is slow as mountainous. It’s high up so cooler- loads of shade- we had great weather and enjoyed that it wasn’t as hot as where we are now in Carcassonne. At night it’s far cooler- so makes for a nice sleep. They’ve got all the tech you need- so much room for everything. You could easily fit 2 families maybe 3!Hosts, David and Sarah, were very welcoming and all round super.House very clean with lots of lovely Moroccan plates and features etc. quirky and rustic and full of character. We’d like to go again. Everywhere you walk or drive there are amazing views- the house itself is 800m high. The weather is probably more variable- we had a coolMorning, went down to Loire and it was 5 degrees hotter-noticeably so. I imagine if the weather in the mountains is beingTricky you’d head down and do something on the Loire or somewhere if you wanted it hotter. For walking this higher location is perfect.We had a great week for weather though and perfect temperatures. Now we’re too hot in Carcassonne.All round great time.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Wendy T.

Fabulous house & setting.

We had a lovely time at Straw Angel - loved the house and the area. The house was beautifully presented and the welcome provisions were extremely welcome at midnight when we eventually arrived. Charlie was very helpful and pointed us in the right direction for a Vide Grenier and a high wire activity place near Le Puy - we picked up a handful of leaflets and left them in your activity folder - Canopy en Foret I think they were called. We went there on the Monday and the guys who now run it were excellent and the afternoon good value. We hired extra bikes one afternoon and suffered for it riding from Usson to St. Bonnet Le Chateau visiting the Resistance Museum on the way. Towards the end of the week the weather was fabulous and we went rafting near La Privat (?) - again left leaflets at the house. That was fantastic and I would strongly recommend it to everyone - you travel down a particularly beautiful gorge and there is just enough leisurely paddling and white knuckle riding to suit everyone in the family and again the guys who run it were excellent at their rather enviable job. I think your house is lovely and well equipped, comfortable and warm and your guests, like us, very lucky to stay there. I'm sure we'll be in touch again soon to book another week.
Archival

8/10 Good

A charming retreat lovingly renovated

A former sawmill, this property is situated in the SE corner of the Livradois-Forez National Park, between the towns of Ambert and Usson-en-Forez. It's been lovingly restored by the owners keeping many of the original features and giving a very different feel compared to many more standard holiday homes. The whole house is cool and airy - good in a hot climate - and there is a large verandah to the side which we really enjoyed. The furniture is a quirky mix of pieces from the Middle East and more easily recognisable stuff from a well known Swedish furniture manufacturer. There is a large and well equipped kitchen and a good sized lounge. Outside there's lots of meadows and woodlands for the kids to explore, though care should be exercised with the stream if you have young children. There are also loads of other fringe benefits such as use of two bikes that come with the house, hammocks and a barbecue, and a well stocked library of guide books and maps that we made good use of, and the owners kindly left us a welcome pack including some essentials such as a bottle of the local wine. The Mill is a great place to bring a dog and the owners allow pets, even providing a basket on the verandah (which is also nice and cool even during the day). Your dog will need to be able to climb some quite steep steps though (as will you) so this house won't suit if any in your party have mobility problems. The house has plenty of parking and although it's just off the equivalent of a French B-road, there is little traffic noise. There are two potential drawbacks with the Mill, both of which are most likely to be an issue if you are a large party. There is only one bathroom, which can lead to congestion especially in the morning. Also, the open plan - including the upstairs mezzanine containing some of the beds - means that you can hear a lot of what's going on elsewhere in the house. For us these problems were more than made up for by the charm of the place and we felt at home in no time. Overall I would definitely recommend the Mill. It's a great place to get away from it all in an area that's a bit off the beaten track but still has plenty to do, see and taste. Even if you're not feeling energetic, it's a pleasant place to relax and soak in the mountain air. We were in a group of six aged between 5 and 70ish, and we all had a great time.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicolas P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
BonjourTrès bon séjour, bon équipement des balades à la porte de la maison. A 3 km, boucherie, boulangerie, superette, nous y sommes allés à pieds sans problème et sans passer pas la route.Je vous conseille ce gite
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sebastien D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Merveilleux voyage dans ce lieu magique. Déconnexion assuréeLa fraîcheur du ruisseau en bas du terrain et les murs épais de la maison sont des atouts considérables en période de grosses chaleurs. La maison est vivante au travers de ses habitants Sarah et David qui y vivent désormais une bonne partie de l’année : ils partagent avec nous leur imaginaire, leurs voyages. La maison est bien adaptée pour recevoir de grands groupes (nous étions 8) Beaucoup de place (nombreuses pièces) permettant à chacun de pouvoir s’isoler un moment si besoin (plusieurs on fait du sport/danse/yoga au rdc au frais !) L’extérieur regorge de petits coins où se poser dans la nature , dans les herbes hautes, sur un arbre, au bord du ruisseau, sur une terrasse…Un petit paradis Bravo et merci pour votre confiance !
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thierry B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Maison pleine de charme et chaleureuse. Mention spéciale pour la terrasse abritée et le jardin.Propriétaires attentionnés et accueillants.De belles randonnées à faire dans la région. Courrez-y!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sylvie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent séjour

Grand gîte chaleureux et confortable, nous avons passé un séjour très agréable avec neige et soleil, avons apprécié le calme, ce qui nous a permis de nous reposer et de nous ressourcer. Très agréable de dormir dans les chambres à l’étage. Nous nous endormions avec les étoiles grâce aux velux. Cadre magnifique, de très belles balades au départ du gîte. Les enfants se sont régalés ( luge, construction d’un igloo, jeux dans la neige). Les chiens eux aussi ont bien profité du jardin et de la neige. Petite déception, amateurs de billard et de baby foot, nous avons été déçu par leur taille. Excellent contact avec les propriétaires qui étaient très disponibles.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

DOminique F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Une ancienne scierie bien agréable

Même en hiver, le gîte est confortable, bien équipé et joliment décoré. A revoir l’été…
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ph A V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

lieu très sympathique peu adapté aux enfants bas age

tout a été super , la maison est très agréable avec un escalier d'accès assez raide et un terrain arrière très grand mais non nivelé. c'est dommage pour les chevilles. mais sinon c'était super,
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

nathalie c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Séjour début juillet à 3, avec nos 3 chiens

Petite semaine bien sympa début juillet, avec un bon 35° La maison est parfaite, bien au calme - ce que nous recherchions avant tout après une année bien compliquée... Chambres impeccables, cuisine fonctionnelle et complète Le plus de la maison : l'énorme terrasse couverte qui donne sur le jardin : un pur plaisir... Les 3 chiens ont adoré le jardin et la rivière en contrebas Que dire de plus : le paradis ! Nous y retournerons volontiers, d'autant plus que la région est juste magnifique !
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

christine m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Super semaine familiale en Auvergne dans une maison chaleureuse et accueillante

Belle ambiance dans cette maison rénovée avec soin et contact sur place sympathique et accommodant. L'environnement est optimal pour les amoureux de campagne et de nature.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

StawAngel

Parfait
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sébastien J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Calme, bien équipé, cadre idyllique

Maison rénovée avec goût, très bien équipée, idéalement située pour découvrir toutes les richesses du parc naturel. Nous (5 adultes et 3 enfants) avons passé un excellent séjour de 2 semaines. Sarah, la propriétaire, et David présent sur place sont disponibles, extrêmement réactifs et très sympathiques. Nous recommandons chaudement.
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

paul b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

À la maison mais ailleurs

Bien à tout point de vue. Très belle maison. Idéal famille
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

sylvain t.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nous avons passé une très bonne semaine de vacances de plus la neige était au rendez-vous

La maison est très bien situé dans un cadre idyllique
Stayed 9 nights in Dec 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Emmely C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Incredible house

We stayed at the house for 7 days with 8 friends. We arrived sunday evening and there was some bread, cheese and fruit on the table for us. The house had everything we needed to cook (which is often not the case when you book a house!!), like pans, knives and herbs. We loved the way it was decorated!! In the village next to the house, you can find a bakery and a small store. In about a half hour you can drive to a bigger town with a big supermarket. We especially loved the beautiful garden, with a couple of hammocks to enjoy the sun. We went to a small lake a couple times and we also visited Lyon. I don't really have anything bad to say about our trip, it was so great! If you're looking for a house to stay with friends our family, I really recommend this one, because it is very well equiped and is located in a beautiful place. When speaking to Sarah, the owner, on the phone you could really hear how passionate she was about the house and you can see that when you arrive in the house aswell. We had a great time and we'll come back in the future!! Thank you!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laurent L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Grande maison chaleureuse et conviviale pour un séjour de resourse en famille

Superbe location très bien équipé et très agréable au calme en pleine nature du livradois forez.
Verified

8/10 Good

Nadia W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Heerlijk verblijf in Straw Angel Mill met fijne tuin in een prachtige omgeving.

De oude zaagmolen is door de eigenaren omgetoverd in een sfeervolle en persoonlijke woning. Door een mooie mix van oosterse attributen en prachtig nieuw timmerwerk wordt de geschiedenis van het pand eer aan gedaan. Op koelere avonden kun je op de open vliering toch nog beschut buiten zitten en genieten van de grote tuin. De beek die rond de tuin stroomt mag met recht een beek genoemd worden. In de tuin hebben wij heerlijk gebruik gemaakt van de BBQ en later op de afgekoelde zomerse avond genoten van de warmte van een kampvuur. Door het fijne contact met de eigenaren voor onze aankomst gaf ons al een warm welkom. Strawsangel Mill is een echte aanrader.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jérémie G.

Superbe expérience pour toute la famille

Partis en famille, nous avons passé un excellent séjour à Eglisolles. Le cadre est fantastique et la maison parfaite pour des vacances au calme. Le contact a été particulièrement agréable avec la propriétaire. Au total, une expérience 100% positive !
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Cédric L.

Amazing house

Nous avons eu enormement de plaisir dans cette magnifique maison renovee. 2 familles avec 4 enfants...le bonheur et plein de balades, jeu au bord de la riviere, visite, accueil incroyable,... merci pour tout
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Florence P.

Un excellent séjour!

Dans cette maison, on trouve tout ce dont on a besoin, et même des choses auxquelles on n'aurait pas pensé. Et si, par hasard, il manque malgré tout quelque chose, David et Charlie, qui s'occupent du lieu en l'absence des propriétaires, se font un plaisir de fournir généreusement leur aide. La literie est très bonne, la vaisselle vraiment agréable, les revues anciennes sont vraiment intéressantes... chaque objet a une raison d'être. On a plutôt l'impression d'être chez des amis très discrets... Nous avons fait un excellent séjour!
Archival

8/10 Good

Ullrich M.

We had a great time in the house.

We liked the nice house located in the nature. Everyone who is looking for a nice and calm holiday in nature will be delighted. We will come back again.

About the host

Hosted by Sarah McQueen

Host profile image
As a family we lived and worked abroad in various countries for many years; when we moved back to England in 2006 we missed having space to roam. Buying an old mill and converting it gradually has been a real adventure and has provided us with enough space to invite both friends and family, whilst getting away and relaxing ourselves. The sheer delight every year when we arrive and the kids and dog run around checking out the rooms and garden seems incremental - each time we leave we miss it more and each time we return we value it more. One day we may live here full-time but until then it seems a shame to leave it empty and not to share!

Why they chose this property

We really loved the Auvergne and had been holidaying nearby for a few years. We planned to get something small and sensible, but fell in love with the house at first sight, despite its original condition, and especially the wildness of its secluded garden bordered by a stream and tall trees.

This spot feels special both geographically (part of the volcanic mountain range of Puy de Dome)and historically. The house was built into the rock of the hillside early last century but there has been a mill on the site since the Cassini map in at least the 17th century.

Coming here is always a great escape; a chance to reconnect with nature, whether foraging for wild blueberries or mushrooms in the woods or sitting around a bonfire under the stars.

What makes this property unique

Every year we holiday at Straw Angel Mill with friends and family, and each year we find something new to explore. It is great to have plenty of outdoor space for the kids and the dog to run wild; barbecuing, dining al fresco, walking, foraging, cycling, swimming, watching regenerates us for another year back at work in England.

David Arnold, a furniture designer-maker living in a converted 1920's hydroelectric station in nearby Usson -En-Forez, has been gradually transforming the house with his beautiful arched bespoke oak windows, doors and shutters.

In 2012 we had our first guests who booked a three week block. Encouragingly, they booked a 2 month slot for 2013 which is quite an endorsement!

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