A tiny house in the Ardèche Gorges, La Pépiite by Plume Habitat
This Plume tiny house, installed by Pépiite, is situated in the heart of the Ardèche Gorges: coloured interior, jacuzzi and panoramic views
Few regions in France can boast such striking scenery. Southern Ardèche is a treasure trove of remarkable landscapes: limestone cliffs, wild meandering rivers, plateaus covered in holm oaks and the scent of garrigue. The Ardèche Gorges stretch for 30 kilometres between the Pont d’Arc and Saint-Martin-d’Ardèche. It is one of the largest canyons in Western Europe. Saint-Remèze, the village home to this tiny house, is two hours from Marseille and Lyon. Easy access for a complete change of scenery.
Here, you don’t need to go far to fill your days. The Pont d’Arc is just a few kilometres away. The Caverne du Pont d’Arc reproduces the prehistoric paintings of the Chauvet Cave with striking accuracy. Hilltop villages of Aiguèze and Balazuc are easy to visit. Hiking trails wind their way through vineyards and fields of lavender.
The first image that sticks in the mind for this tiny house Pepiite: a compact structure clad in timber, set on a terrace beneath an openwork pergola. Nothing extraordinary, and yet a true aesthetic success. You immediately feel at ease looking at it. It blends into the garrigue where the broom is in bloom. The Ardèche hills stand out in the background. The warm wood interacts with the dry stone walls and Mediterranean vegetation.
Step inside: the space is light and pleasant. Vertical panelling in matt white-treated spruce covers all the walls. The floor is in light oiled oak, the ceiling white. This neutral backdrop amplifies the natural light streaming in through the large bay windows with anthracite frames. It also creates a sense of space within this compact area.
The bed sits on a platform with built-in storage drawers. A small desk in natural beech runs along the panoramic window: an industrial-style stool, a shelf, and that view of the hills that makes you forget all the troubles of the world. The bench area follows the same design principle as the platform. Some pastel-coloured cushions add comfort.
The bamboo blinds complete the fit-out. They filter the Ardèche sunlight without blocking it. Fitted to the anthracite aluminium windows, they create a warm-cool contrast that works well.
Outside, the wooden hot tub, reminiscent of a Nordic bath, is situated near the terrace and its pergola. It enjoys a 180-degree view over the plateaus and hills. It is the feature that transforms the stay into a memorable experience. Especially in the evening, when the Ardèche sky, free from light pollution, lights up with all the stars in the Milky Way.
This tiny house didn’t appear out of thin air. It bears the signature of Plume Habitat, a workshop based in Villeneuve in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, between the sea and the mountains. What sets Plume apart from a mere tiny house manufacturer? The entire production process takes place within their 400m2 workshop. Structural work, joinery, electrical, plumbing, roofing, interior fit-out: everything is managed in-house by a team of engineers and craftsmen.
The frame is made of solid timber, insulated with recycled cotton wool, including the floor. Double protection: a rain screen on the outside and a vapour barrier on the inside. The double-glazed aluminium joinery optimises thermal performance and sound insulation. The standing seam lacquered aluminium sheet roofing ensures lightness and durability. Plume delivers its creations throughout France, but each project remains unique, designed for its specific site and future occupants. However, the company also has clients across the European Union and Switzerland.
Environmental ethics are not just a marketing ploy for them. It is a design constraint the company has embraced from the outset: the use of eco-friendly materials, maximum energy efficiency, and responsible workshop management. You might not be convinced by the tiny house as a permanent lifestyle; it is undoubtedly a difficult choice for everyone. But one might be won over by the qualities of this tiny house, its comfort, if only to create an annex in one’s garden. Naturally, the necessary local permits must be obtained.
A tiny house as charming accommodation in a protected area is a good idea. The footprint is small, the construction is reversible, and the integration is successful when the builder does their job as conscientiously as Plume.
This Pépiite tiny house is perfectly suited for a stay for two people. It’s ideal for those who want to get away from civilisation for a while, enjoying the magnificent landscapes of this region, whilst still having the essential comforts most of us require.
You can stay in this Plume tiny house in the Ardèche Gorges by clicking on this link !
Here, you don’t need to go far to fill your days. The Pont d’Arc is just a few kilometres away. The Caverne du Pont d’Arc reproduces the prehistoric paintings of the Chauvet Cave with striking accuracy. Hilltop villages of Aiguèze and Balazuc are easy to visit. Hiking trails wind their way through vineyards and fields of lavender.
An exterior that blends into the landscape
The first image that sticks in the mind for this tiny house Pepiite: a compact structure clad in timber, set on a terrace beneath an openwork pergola. Nothing extraordinary, and yet a true aesthetic success. You immediately feel at ease looking at it. It blends into the garrigue where the broom is in bloom. The Ardèche hills stand out in the background. The warm wood interacts with the dry stone walls and Mediterranean vegetation.
An interior in white wood and pastel tones
Step inside: the space is light and pleasant. Vertical panelling in matt white-treated spruce covers all the walls. The floor is in light oiled oak, the ceiling white. This neutral backdrop amplifies the natural light streaming in through the large bay windows with anthracite frames. It also creates a sense of space within this compact area.
The bed sits on a platform with built-in storage drawers. A small desk in natural beech runs along the panoramic window: an industrial-style stool, a shelf, and that view of the hills that makes you forget all the troubles of the world. The bench area follows the same design principle as the platform. Some pastel-coloured cushions add comfort.
The bamboo blinds complete the fit-out. They filter the Ardèche sunlight without blocking it. Fitted to the anthracite aluminium windows, they create a warm-cool contrast that works well.
The hot tub, its outdoor asset
Outside, the wooden hot tub, reminiscent of a Nordic bath, is situated near the terrace and its pergola. It enjoys a 180-degree view over the plateaus and hills. It is the feature that transforms the stay into a memorable experience. Especially in the evening, when the Ardèche sky, free from light pollution, lights up with all the stars in the Milky Way.
A Provençal builder who prioritises sustainability before building
This tiny house didn’t appear out of thin air. It bears the signature of Plume Habitat, a workshop based in Villeneuve in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, between the sea and the mountains. What sets Plume apart from a mere tiny house manufacturer? The entire production process takes place within their 400m2 workshop. Structural work, joinery, electrical, plumbing, roofing, interior fit-out: everything is managed in-house by a team of engineers and craftsmen.
Features of the Plume tiny house
The frame is made of solid timber, insulated with recycled cotton wool, including the floor. Double protection: a rain screen on the outside and a vapour barrier on the inside. The double-glazed aluminium joinery optimises thermal performance and sound insulation. The standing seam lacquered aluminium sheet roofing ensures lightness and durability. Plume delivers its creations throughout France, but each project remains unique, designed for its specific site and future occupants. However, the company also has clients across the European Union and Switzerland.
Environmental ethics are not just a marketing ploy for them. It is a design constraint the company has embraced from the outset: the use of eco-friendly materials, maximum energy efficiency, and responsible workshop management. You might not be convinced by the tiny house as a permanent lifestyle; it is undoubtedly a difficult choice for everyone. But one might be won over by the qualities of this tiny house, its comfort, if only to create an annex in one’s garden. Naturally, the necessary local permits must be obtained.
What is our honest opinion of this tiny house and its location?
A tiny house as charming accommodation in a protected area is a good idea. The footprint is small, the construction is reversible, and the integration is successful when the builder does their job as conscientiously as Plume.
This Pépiite tiny house is perfectly suited for a stay for two people. It’s ideal for those who want to get away from civilisation for a while, enjoying the magnificent landscapes of this region, whilst still having the essential comforts most of us require.
You can stay in this Plume tiny house in the Ardèche Gorges by clicking on this link !
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