Barn and Garden Retreat in the Gentle Jaur Valley of Nature Reserve Haut-Languedoc
Tucked into the small hamlet of Ardouane, La Funky Barn is our retro corner of the valley: a place where mountain air, old beams, and a few mid-century pieces all fall into an easy rhythm.
For couples, families, and small groups who want quiet, nature, and real beds — not a holiday park.
Life slows here. Mornings start with birdsong and light over the hills; evenings drift into the fire, the garden, or the stars. Whether you're seeking a private studio for two, a ground-floor atelier for family or friends, or a wild riverside garden with room to spread out and sleep under the sky, this is your base for slow mornings, long walks, and deep rest, each sharing the same feeling: space, quiet, comfort and a sense of being a little removed from everything.
Built from stone, wood, and light, each part of the house keeps its own character while staying close to the landscape around it. Nothing fancy — just warm design, natural materials, and the freedom of the Haut-Languedoc.
Four unique stays. One soulful place.
What Makes Us (so) Special
Everything for a truly unique mountain-valley retreat
Light, Space & Soul
Each dwelling is shaped by stone, wood, and light, with shifting views of the Somail hills in the Haut-Languedoc.
Designed for Rest
Quality beds, soft linens, and interiors made for quiet mornings and peaceful evenings.
Real Kitchens, Real Meals
Every kitchen is equipped for cooking — from simply reheating to room to chop, pour, taste, and linger.
Easy Arrival, Slow Departure
Free parking just behind Ardouane's old church … and that feeling you never want to leave.
Nature All Around
Wake up to the scent of pine and thyme, hear the Bureau river murmur below, and breathe in the Haut-Languedoc air.
Warmth & Atmosphere
Stone walls and floors keep cool in summer; a pellet stove or quiet radiators warm you in winter — every season finds its way to hold you.
Discover La Funky Barn
A glimpse of life at La Funky Barn
Explore the Region
Ardouane, Riols • Parc Haute Languedoc • Hérault, France
The Region
La Funky Barn sits in the quiet Jaur valley between the Somail and the Caroux — a landscape of rivers, forests, old terraces, and paths that seem to go on longer than you expect. It’s not a resort area; it’s the kind of place where you follow a track and end up at a viewpoint, a spring, or a tiny hamlet without planning it. From Ardouane you reach the Source du Jaur, the wild ridges of the Somail, and a whole network of easy and not-so-easy paths that weave past dolmens, ruined stone folds, and old chestnut terraces. Much of the valley is dotted with quiet prehistoric traces and remnants of the people who worked these slopes long before roads reached them. For those who want movement, the Orb and the Caroux offer canyoning, swimming spots, climbing and airy ridge walks; for gentler days, the valley floor gives you quiet riverside wanders, shaded loops, and the sort of places you only discover by not trying too hard. And when none of that calls, staying put works just as well — watching the light shift on the Somail hills, listening to the river somewhere below, and letting the valley set the pace.
The Village of Ardouane
A small hamlet of stone houses, Ardouane is nestled in the heart of the Parc naturel régional du Haut-Languedoc. Its narrow lanes, open views of the surrounding reliefs, and attention to preserving the night sky make it a peaceful place, away from the hustle and bustle, while remaining ideally located on the Passa Païs Greenway route.
Nature
On your doorstepLac de Vésoles is easy to reach, with a nice 6–7 km walking loop around it. More active walks: Gorges d'Héric, Mille Marches, Caroux‑Éspinouse massif. The rivers Orb and Jaur are within easy reach.
Cycling Routes
On-site departureExcellent for cyclists and walkers, the Voie Verte / Passa Païs greenway passes right by Ardouane → ideal for overnight stop, safe storage of bikes, rest, meals, showers, nature.
Local Vineyards
28-35 kmVisit authentic Languedoc wineries and taste regional wines from Saint-Chinian (and cru-Roquebrun), Faugères, and Minervois. Hills of heat, stone, wind — and some of the most characterful wines of the South. Just over the ridge lies Saint-Chinian, a landscape of sun-baked schist and wild garrigue. Expect deep reds, structured and aromatic, touched by thyme, rosemary and the summer wind. A little further west, Faugères is more secretive, darker, more mineral. To the south-east, the spectacular village of Minerve guards the entrance to the Minervois. Here the wines shift: rounder, warmer, more Mediterranean, with beautiful rosés and whites.
Charming Culture Nearby
20-80 kmOlargues 12 km — Classified as one of France's most beautiful villages with some charming shops and decent restaurants (book in advance!). Pézenas, Minerve, Béziers, Sète, Carcassonne, Lamalou-les-Bains, Roquebrun — these charming communes with their culture, shops and restaurants. The Mediterranean for a day trip.
Approximately 1 hour from Béziers • 1h45 from Montpellier Airport • 45 minutes to Castres • 15 minutes to Saint Pons de Thomières shops
Want a beach day? The Mediterranean is only 1h10 away.
In Brief
• La Funky Barn is a converted stone barn in Ardouane, a small hamlet in the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc in southern France.
• It's for people who want to step out into nature for a few days, cook together, sit outside under the stars and sleep in good beds.
• We're not a hotel or a holiday park; we're a one-off place with its own rhythm.
• La Funky Barn consists of four distinct spaces: Bebop Studio for couples, l’Atelier Éclectique on the ground floor (ideal for cyclists), La Funky Barn main house for couples or small families, and Rewind Garden / Wild Tipi Garden for seasonal glamping.
• All spaces can be booked separately or combined to match your group size and preferences.
• Ardouane lies 3km from Riols and 7km from Saint-Pons-de-Thomières, directly on the Passa Païs Greenway (V84), with hiking trails, vineyards and medieval villages within easy reach.
Common Questions about La Funky Barn
Is La Funky Barn suitable for kids?
Yes, La Funky Barn is suitable for families with older children (above 10 is better). There is space to play outside in the village and sleep comfortably inside, but it's still a rural environment: parents remain responsible for supervising their children.
Can I book La Funky Barn for a small group retreat?
Yes, La Funky Barn can accommodate small group retreats combined with other units, such as our garden. The main house sleeps 5-6, and spaces can be combined to accommodate larger groups up to 10 people.
Do I need a car to stay at La Funky Barn?
A car is recommended but not strictly necessary. Ardouane is accessible by bike via the Passa Païs Greenway, and local shops are 3km away in Riols.
Is La Funky Barn available year-round?
Bebop Studio, l'Atelier Éclectique, and La Funky Barn are available year-round. Rewind Garden is seasonal, open April through September only.
Do you accept pets in the buildings?
We love animals, but we’re not able to welcome pets at La Funky Barn. To keep the spaces comfortable for guests with allergies, we’ve had to make this (slightly heartbreaking) decision.
Do you accept pets in the garden?
Another difficult one: As much as we adore animals, our garden is home to delicate wild plants, nesting birds and wild insects, and nocturnal creatures that could be disturbed by even the gentlest dog. For the safety of the environment and your furry friend, we kindly ask guests not to bring pets.
FAQ
What can I do near La Funky Barn?
You can walk the Sentier des Légendes, cycle the Passa Païs, swim or go canyoning on the Orb, or explore medieval villages like Olargues, Minerve, and Carcassonne. The Caroux and Somail offer climbing, via ferrata, trail running, bikepacking and countless quiet paths for slower days. Families find plenty too: pony rides, Wilddust Ranch for horse lovers, river pools, easy gorge walks, and local farm visits. The hills around Ardouane are full of traces of older lives — dolmens, ruined terraces, tiny chapels, and the routes once used by the Maquis Bir Hakeim and other Resistance groups. You’ll see memorials and panels throughout the valley, especially around Douch and Rosis. And when you don’t feel like doing anything at all, the valley is equally good for that: long afternoons in the garden, listening to the nearby Bureau river and watching the light shift on the Somail hills.
How far is La Funky Barn from the nearest town?
Riols, with a great baker, butcher and restaurant, is 3km away. Premian also has a restaurant. Saint-Pons-de-Thomières is 7km away. All are easily accessible by car or bike.
Is there public transport to La Funky Barn?
Public transport is available but limited in frequency. A car is recommended, though the area is accessible by bike via the Passa Païs Greenway.