Repère Sauvage: A Modern Retreat in the Loire Forest
Tucked in the Loire-et-Cher in France, Repère Sauvage sits on the grounds of Fort Girard, once the stronghold of César de Vendôme, son of Henri IV and Gabrielle d’Estrées. From 1851 to 1940, the property was bought and sold, the fort was demolished leaving only its entry gate in tact, and the site was later converted into a training center for young cabinetmakers. In 1960 it became a hotel and restaurant, but it wasn’t until 2020 that Paris-based founders Capucine Châtelier and Caroline Costagliola Condy took it over. Drawn by the wildness of the surrounding forest and the presence of the historic Manoir de la Forêt, they worked with JAAMS Architecture and designer Gwenaëlle Girard to reimagine the 42-hectare estate as a nature-led retreat, which opened this past spring.
Set within the forest are 20 newly built Wild Houses—cabins ranging from 20 to 40 square meters, each designed as an elemental counterpart to the manor. Insulated with local straw and built in collaboration with regional artisans, the cabins open directly to the woods, their terraces extending living space into landscape. The result is modern take on the country retreat—pared back, immersive, and extending the story of the land into a new chapter.
Photography by Nolwenn Pernin for Repère Sauvage.
Above: The manor of Fort Girard, the authentic Renaissance chateau of La Ville-aux-Clercs, comprises 16 rooms, a restaurant, and reception.
Above: Founders and friends Capucine Châtelier and Caroline Costagliola Condy left Paris four years ago to take on the conversion of Repère Sauvage.
Above: A fireplace lounge which Girard outfitted with Italian lounge chairs from Innova.
Above: A 6-meter-long travertine-topped walnut bar with Parasol Table Lamps from Palefire.
Above: The restaurant dining room is equipped with custom banquettes upholstered in Padang Fabric by Manuel Canovas and Léa Zeroil Gamma Chairs from Modern Metier.
Above: The surrounding wild and expansive lake within the estate.
Above: One of 20 Wild Houses built as low-impact timber structures which sit on metal piers to eliminate the need for a solid concrete foundation. The insulation of each cabin comes by way of local straw.
Above: Among the colorful accents in the Wild Houses are green bouclé upholstered chairs from Object Paris, the HKLiving Mustard Rattan Lamp, and a yellow dining table with faceted base. Unlike the rooms in the manor, the houses are intentionally designed without wifi and televisions.
Above: A compact seating area with a velvet-upholstered loveseat.
Above: The bed is outfitted with a Plano Throw Cushion from &k Amsterdam and a wood tray with Amber Versailles Mugs from Duralex.
Above: An all wood bathroom in the Duo Wild House.
Above: The wood terrace is equipped with burgundy-colored outdoor furniture from the Fermob Luxembourg collection.
Above: Barely a barrier between forest and house.
Above: Among the many family-focused accommodations, Repère Sauvage has built a 40 meter zip line on the property.
Above: Hotel guests bringing a picnic down to the lake.
Above: A hand-illustrated map of the estate shows the entrance at left, lake at top, the manor at center, and the 20 Wild Houses dispersed throughout the forest at right.
For more forested retreats, see our posts:
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