Carole

Clévacances owner since July 2026

Languages: English and German

My name is Carole. I live in Ban-de-Laveline, in the Vosges, with Thomas and our son Eliott, who is 9 years old. We’re lucky enough to live surrounded by meadows, forests and mountains, in a place where we can still take the time to: to go for walks, watch the birds around the pond, see the seasons change, potter about, get creative, cook, have friends round… or simply sit outside and take in our surroundings. All three of us are quite curious and enjoy trying our hand at a bit of everything, each in our own way. Thomas is a keen DIY enthusiast, always ready to embark on a new project. In years when the harvest allows, he also makes his own wine, as an amateur. He has teamed up with Arturo, founder of La Bourlingueuse brewery, and from their partnership the tap room was born: a place to discover the beers brewed by Arturo and have a good time. Four evenings a week, they welcome locals and visitors alike. Thomas can often be found behind the wood-fired oven, where he prepares his tartes flambées using local produce. For my part, after a period of major upheaval, I chose a career change that suits me better and set up ‘Comme une Bulle’, a project centred on three things close to my heart: creating, sharing and welcoming. I’m a hopeless jack-of-all-trades: ceramics, porcelain, micro-macramé, jewellery and handmade objects… I love learning, experimenting, coming up with my own designs and running workshops so I can pass on my skills in turn. One idea usually leads to three more! Hospitality is an integral part of this adventure, particularly through the Gîte Le Tulipier, driven by a desire to create places and moments where people simply feel at ease. And then there’s Eliott, aged 9 – curious, very sporty and always up for trying something new. Sport, reading, music, DIY… he loves being active just as much as immersing himself completely in whatever he’s passionate about at the moment. We share a love of simple things, of places with character, of handmade items, of upcycling, of local producers and craftspeople, of nature, and of discoveries that don’t necessarily feature on the front pages of tourist guides. We live right next to the gîte. So you might bump into us in the garden, by the pond, or busy with one of our many projects. I enjoy chatting, recommending a walk, a craftsman, a market, a local producer or a favourite spot that we frequent ourselves, whilst fully respecting everyone’s peace and quiet. Ultimately, welcoming travellers fits in quite well with what I want to do these days: share a place, a few nice things and a little slice of our world, then let everyone experience it in their own way. Welcome to our home. Take the time to settle in, explore, breathe, look around you… and enjoy yourselves. 🌿