The top 10 most unusual locations in the heart of nature for a romantic weekend away

The black fox has come up with a selection of ten unusual places for you and your other half, located right in the heart of nature for a romantic weekend getaway. With a range of forest, lake and mountain destinations, you're sure to find a peaceful retreat in harmony with nature where you can totally disconnect by the waterside or perched aloft in the treetops.

1- The Wooden hut- Bretteville-sur-Ay (Manche) 

The Wooden hut, located a few metres from an unspoilt spot along the Côte des Havres on the Cotentin Peninsula, is like your own little peaceful haven. It has wonderful decor, plunging you into a cosy, rural universe, worthy of a children's fairytale. Board games and books of all kinds are provided for an enjoyable stay for both you and your little ones. 

2- Ecolodge Les Echasse - Saubion (Landes)

The Ecolodge Les Echasses is a four-star hotel and spa located 2 hours from Bordeaux, and just a few metres from the beaches of the Aquitaine coast, right on the border of the Pays Basque. With a sustainable development approach and located on a 4-hectare site in the middle of the Landes forest, each lodge features modern, spacious and understated architecture where you can settle in for the weekend to disconnect fully and become one with nature. The ecolodge has a swimming pool, a spa and a restaurant.

3- La Batelière sur Loire - La Chapelle aux Naux (Indre et Loire)

In Touraine, 20 minutes from Tours and only 2 and a half hours from Paris, discover unusual yet charming eco-friendly accommodation nestled in the trees or moored on the banks of the Loire in the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Nature Park.

Whether you have a cabin in the woods or a houseboat on the water in the heart of the Châteaux de la Loire region, you can enjoy your fill of exceptional landscapes, changing with the day and the seasons. It's a real paradise for nature lovers as well as foodies who are passionate about fine food and wine with the many castles and wine cellars of the Loire Valley all in easy reach nearby.

4- 48° Nord - Breitenbach (Bas Rhin) 

48° Nord is a collection of 14 hyttes (traditional Norwegian buildings with modular, designer architecture for minimum impact on nature) which combine the Scandinavian building style with the landscape of Alsace. The hotel overlooks a small Alsatian village nestled at the foot of the Vosges mountains. 

These totally eco-friendly buildings are located in the heart of nature, near the attractive cities of Colmar and Strasbourg and small villages full of Alsatian charm on the Wine Road. Some accommodations also have a jacuzzi, a sauna or a Nordic bath.

5-“Entre terre et ciel” treehouse - Saint Nicolas la Chapelle (Savoie)

Situated in a particularly exceptional setting, between the Savoie and the Haute-Savoie, these Treehouses - "Entre Terre et Ciel" are located in heart of the forest so you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Mont Blanc and Aravis mountains.  

All of them are cosy nests with sophisticated decor for a unique experience in both summer and winter, where you feel like you're the only person in the whole world. Then enjoy the incredible view while lingering over your breakfast or while soaking in your hot tub. 

6-  Loire Valley Lodges - Esvres sur Indre (Indre et Loire)  

Located in the heart of the Châteaux de la Loire region, Loire Valley Lodges is part of a concept where nature and contemporary art are combined for a unique experience. 18 suites with 55 m2 of surface space each are located in a private 300-hectare forest at a height of 4 metres. Immerse yourself completely in the great outdoors thanks to the large picture windows, and all of these suites extend into a large terrace. Bonus extra: there's no Wi-Fi so you can disconnect completely from everyday stress (the lodges have walkie-talkies for contacting reception). 

Comfort is a priority at this hotel since it has a swimming pool, a gastro restaurant where the food comes from the forest itself, from the site's own kitchen garden and local producers. The spa is also a unique sensory experience since the treatments provided, including the essential oils used for the massages, include natural ingredients from the forest (trees, plants, flowers). The sound of birds and the surrounding trees and streams will lull you to sleep during this relaxation break.    

7- L’Alpin d’Hôme - Les Orres (Hautes-Alpes) 

Located in the Hautes-Alpes, at an altitude of 1,800 m in the resort of Les Orres, the Alpin d'Hôme is a set of 11 domes, all with a 360° view thanks to their large picture windows, a panoramic terrace and 3 Finnish kotas (so you can stargaze from your bed). Everything has been designed with an eco-friendly approach that reduces its environmental impact on nature. 

The resort is located at the foot of one of the resort's 40 slopes so you can enjoy the snow in winter and incredible hikes in summer. Bonus extra: Alpin d’Hôme prepares snacks every day that are included in the price of an overnight stay and are delivered directly to your lodgings. A spa will also open this summer.    

8- Pella Roca cabanes & spa - Labastide de Penne (Occitanie)

Between Toulouse and Bordeaux, discover Pella Roca, an unusual place full of charm that is perched in the trees. Located on the border of the Causses and Quercy Natural Regional Park, the estate covers more than 9 hectares of natural landscape. Cosy and Boho chic atmosphere guaranteed for a wonderfully relaxing weekend. Bonus extra: you can enjoy your private wood-burning eco-friendly sauna or jacuzzi on your own veranda. 

9- Les cabanes de Salagnac - Meyrignac l’Eglise (Corrèze)

If you want to combine a designer ethos, nature and comfort, the black fox advises you to escape to one of the six contemporary cabins at Salagnac in Nouvelle Aquitaine. Fully conceived and designed by an architect, these ecological habitats with their back-to-basics, understated style will immerse you in the abundant nature surrounding you on all sides. 

In both summer and winter, you can enjoy a true wellness getaway in these practical cabins that are bathed in the light that enters through their large picture window. 

10- CouCoo Cabanes- (France)

The Coucoo Cabanes concept consists of 5 eco-resorts scattered across France. Enjoy the ideal getaway for both lovers or friends, in the heart of nature.

Each of the 5 resorts has between 14 and 23 cabins whose aesthetics and design blend in seamlessly with the surrounding countryside. These concept resorts have two types of cabin: some are glamping options with running water, electricity and private Nordic baths for total relaxation, and other cabins have no electricity and just have a water supply so you can live like Robinson Crusoe, combining life in the wild and comfort for total disconnection!

Discover La Réserve and Les Grands Chênes eco-domain 1 hour from Paris, Les Grands Reflets 30 minutes from Belfort, Les Grands Lacs 30 minutes from Vesoul and Les Grands Cépages 20 minutes from Avignon.

So which of these locations has won your heart for a romantic break in the great outdoors? It's not easy to choose between destinations which are all just as incredible as each other. If you decide to stop off in one of them, why not get in touch to tell us how your unique experience went? The black fox wishes you a happy Valentine's Day!