A maniacal reconstruction of a place of yesteryear, combined with essential lines and natural shades. This is the feeling you get when you cross the door of L'Esprit des Lieux, a charming chambre d'hôtes in Luçon, in the French department of Vendée, Pays de la Loire, France.

A neutral palette, in shades of whites and beiges, is the backdrop for handcrafted gems, such as the Elisa @ely_garage28 wire crown, Astier de Villatte and Rêve d’Argile ceramics, or chandeliers by Merci Louis. Scattered here and there are some vintage decorations, like the old doors that are the dining room's backdrop of the house of Nine, the owner, or the oil-painted portraits.

In the library room, a relaxing area where you can read a book and enjoy a hot drink around the fireplace. There's a piano, for unexpected concerts ...

Nine purchases a different local specialty every day for breakfast. The queen of all is the gâche, a typical brioche of Vendea. To flour, eggs, butter and sugar, cream is added, to make it more tasty and ... light! And homemade jams, fresh orange juice and different types of fresh bread.

Not to be missed nearby is the Château de Terre Neuve and a canoe trip in the French regional park Marais Poitevin, also known as Green Venice for its marshy canals. Booking a group excursion by canoe (group, because the itineraries for those who rent canoes independently are different) to the Embarcadère du Petit Port Sauvage you can see the Abbaye de Maillezais from the canal (wow!). This area is famous for snails and frog legs: try it at the Auberge de l’Abbaye.

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