Before we dive into the details, could you briefly introduce yourselves and any family members? What are your names, ages, place of residence, and what is the name of your accommodation?

We are Sylvia (47) and François (55), originally from Zurich, Switzerland. Together with our Irish Setter mix, Luna, we live in the southwest of France.

We would love it if you could share a bit more about yourselves with our customers. Can you tell us about your interests, free time, work, family, or vacations?

Before we opened this new chapter, we both spent our professional lives in the corporate world, as a financial director and executive consultant. This came with long hours, tight schedules, and countless business trips. However, privately we have always enjoyed the beautiful things in life, such as:

• Sharing good food and wine with friends,
• Creating a warm home with our passion for art and interior design, for beautiful materials and handmade products with a soul,
• Enjoying hiking and skiing in the breathtaking nature of the Swiss Alps,
• Traveling to beautiful places around the world, meeting inspiring people, and discovering new locations. Today we have the privilege of combining all these passions as the hosts of Maison Duroy.

When and how did this property come into your life, and what motivated you to make it a part of your life?

We dreamed of slowing down our lives: living in the countryside, surrounded by nature, in a house big enough to share and with ample space for all our projects. We wanted to merge our professional and private lives into a quieter rhythm. When François turned 50, he knew it was time to resign from his job and start this new chapter.

Can you tell us more about the process of renovating and furnishing your home?

We bought the house in 2019 – a true beauty in a rather neglected state. Without prior knowledge or experience in renovating historic buildings, we planned to outsource the renovation work to local craftsmen. However, this proved to be more challenging than expected: skilled craftsmen are rare, and wait times are long. Therefore, François decided to take matters into his own hands and, using YouTube, carried out most of the renovation work himself. Over a period of three years, we restored all parts of the house and the outbuildings, trying to preserve the soul of the house while adding modern comfort. In fact, the house and the rooms are furnished as we have always lived – with many of our personal furnishings, our collected artworks, and treasures from our travels.

On a personal level, what makes this property so special to you? Are there any special memories or moments that make it dear to you?

It is the tranquility that overwhelms you at this special place as soon as you arrive. It is truly an energizing place.

How would you describe the atmosphere and interior of your home?

It is a very personal and eclectic mix of mid-century design, vintage, and new, influenced by Italian architects from the 1980s, embedded in nature.

What parts of your home do you love the most and why?

The many quiet and private spots on our property where you can retreat and relax.

What makes the location of your accommodation unique and special?

The southwest of France, and especially Gascony – often referred to as the Tuscany of France – is still a region waiting to be discovered. It lies between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, three hours by train from Paris and 90 minutes from the vibrant cities of Bordeaux and Toulouse.

Are there any sustainable or eco-friendly practices associated with your home that you are proud of?

We believe in a local farm-to-table kitchen. In line with the French table d’hôte tradition, we create a three-course menu several times a week, using vegetables, herbs, and fruits from our own garden and ingredients from the weekly market. Increasingly, we make many things ourselves, such as baking our own dark bread, dyeing linen tablecloths with natural colors, and not to mention the ceramic collection from our own pottery 'Gelateria di Zurigo'.

What motivated or inspired you to rent your home to guests?

We want to share our life and our home so that others can also enjoy this beautiful place. We truly enjoy meeting interesting and inspiring people who share our fascination for sustainable living, good food, and interior design.

Can you paint a vivid picture of the overall experience someone can expect when staying in your home?

A typical day at Maison Duroy: You wake up to the sound of birds chirping, enjoy breakfast lovingly prepared by Sylvia on your private terrace, take a walk to the three small lakes nearby, explore the weekly market in one of the picturesque historic villages, visit a chateau for a wine tasting, spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool, and enjoy a delicious dinner on the terrace at sunset. Just unwind and enjoy the silence.

In what ways does your home stand out from others? What makes it unique for guests?

A stay at Maison Duroy feels like a vacation with friends. Philosophizing about life with Sylvia during breakfast, enjoying a glass of wine with François in the kitchen while he prepares dinner, or visiting him in his pottery studio. Enjoy sharing good food with people over stimulating conversations, while also having the freedom and ability to have privacy at any moment.

Can you share the best compliments you’ve received from a guest?

It is our regular guests who return every year and already book for the next year at check-out. What a wonderful compliment!

Do you have any recommendations for guests to make the most of their stay? Your valuable tips will be featured on your accommodation page!

For a short stay (3 to 5 days): Disconnect from city life, explore the charm of this culturally and culinarily rich region, and let it all wash over you. For longer stays (more than 5 days): Plan one or two day trips to get to know the southwest of France, such as a trip to the highest dune in Europe in Arcachon on the Atlantic coast, or to the elegant city of Bordeaux, or to the vibrant metropolis of Toulouse.