For holidays accessible to everyone!

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Open since July 2020 and located in Haute-Loire (at La Vacheresse, commune of Les Estables), the "Gite des petits bonheurs" is an inclusive holiday place open to all!

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It was created to meet the needs of families with a child with a disability (autism, motor, sensory, psychiatric, cognitive disorders, multiple disabilities or illness) or not, so they can come together and spend a holiday TOGETHER in a caring, playful place that can adapt to each person’s specific needs.

Adapted equipment, a varied games room, a motor-skills/early stimulation area and a small multi-sensory corner are available on site... Not to mention the rabbits, chickens and llamas who actively take part in life at the gîte!

"Respite workshops" supervised by a trained educator are also possible on site at the request of parents who wish it... To take some time for themselves or to spend a special moment with other children from the "extraordinary sibling group".



With over 10 years of personal and professional experience in the disability field (and particularly autism), Laura will welcome and advise you so you can have the best possible holiday! Roméo, a chef by trade, will take care of your stomachs by offering tasty dishes prepared with love and local products!

Two professions and two passions dedicated to this beautiful and unique project!



With us you’ll find privileged riverside greenery, large natural spaces, human-scale accommodation (maximum 30 people) and a warm welcome... Accessible, functional and secure lodgings that can adapt to each person’s specific needs... An outdoor play area, a games room adapted to different ages and a small multi-sensory space with free access... Leisure workshops offered on site for families who wish... Animals within the gîte itself (rabbits, chickens and llamas) and proximity to the tourist village of Les Estables (43150) with many activities nearby (educational farms, 4-season toboggan, sled dog rides, hiking, etc.).







WHY THIS FUNDRAISER?

After a year of painting ourselves, hammering, screwing, unscrewing, laughing, getting our fingers sanded, pushing wheelbarrows, mixing cement, fixing boards one way then the other, carrying nine-metre panels above our heads thanks to our little muscular arms and those of friends, crying (with joy, and not only!), fitting fencing, running after llamas... then re-fixing the fencing... we were all set to open our doors in April!

A pandemic and a few months of lockdown later, we FINALLY welcomed the first groups, families and children (with or without disabilities) to the gîte in summer 2020!

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So far we have dipped into our savings and managed to keep this project alive that meant so much to us... We knocked on many doors and met many people motivated by the idea of this sharing place we wanted to create to allow families to get together TOGETHER in a playful and adapted place where each child is accepted as they are, with or without difficulties, and thus enjoy their holidays and the little moments of happiness accessible to them here as much as possible!

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The feedback from our few months of opening is encouraging and the families who trusted us during our first season confirm that this project is useful and necessary to change the way disability is perceived... unfortunately sanitary measures tightened again and we are once more forced to close our doors!

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From the start, our gîte does not fit into the boxes of so-called "institutional" aid and we need you and this fundraiser to help us stay on course and finish accessibility work within the gîte (external access ramps, purchase of functional furniture and modernization of bathrooms...) and complete the development of the outdoor play area (fences and gates, leveling and installation of shock-absorbing surfacing, purchase of picnic tables, creation of a sensory trail and interactive activity panels).

If we exceed the symbolic sum of €10,000, thanks to you, we will be able to begin renovating and converting the barn into a great covered play area (for rainy days and more!) and also create a larger sensory room for even more discoveries and fun for you and your little ones!

Despite a limited budget, we still have a multitude of ideas and unstoppable motivation to bring them to life!







We are aware that many have asked for your help and financial support in recent weeks and that December itself is often marked by many (but joyful) expenses... however we are counting on a little Christmas magic to see this fundraiser succeed!

To brighten the end-of-year festivities we have chosen to decorate our tree with the name of each donor!

Our main goal is to make our project known to people concerned and/or touched by our cause! The financial aspect, although essential, is secondary...

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From €5: your name on the tree!



From €20: your name on the tree + a personalized thank-you card sent to your mailbox!



From €50: your name on the tree + a personalized thank-you card + a box of chocolates delivered to your home!



Our beautiful region is full of delicious artisans/producers and we want you to enjoy them! The chocolates will be 100% local!

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!!! DON’T FORGET TO SEND US YOUR CONTACT DETAILS AND MAILING ADDRESS SO WE CAN SEND YOUR REWARDS!!!

(on our https://www.facebook.com/gitedespetitsbonheurs or by email at http://[email protected])

We will update our Facebook page with lovely photos as names are added to the tree...

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Thank you in advance to everyone who takes the time to read and who can help us, even if only by sharing our fundraiser, http://www.gitedespetitsbonheurs.fr or http://www.facebook.com/gitedespetitsbonheurs with their loved ones!

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We hope to see you soon at the Gite des petits bonheurs!





Roméo & Laura