A Floating Eco-Sanctuary in the Heart of France's Landes Region

In the heart of the Landes region in southwestern France, where dense pine forests cover golden sand dunes, a unique architectural project floats on the waters of a tranquil lake. This is “Les Echasses” (The Stilts), an eco-lodge designed by architect Patrick Arotcharen to be a holistic accommodation experience that harmonizes humans with nature.

This sanctuary consists of 7 luxurious wooden cabins built on high stilts over a carefully sculpted small lake. The design aims not to dominate the natural landscape but to interact with it respectfully, creating a feeling that the architecture is an organic extension of its surroundings.

Floating Cabins Offering Privacy and Peace

Each of the seven villas, designed for two people, is built from wood with skillful prismatic shapes. They are precisely angled to offer guests continuous panoramic views of the lake while ensuring complete privacy. The scene is enchanting at night, as these cabins glow like warm lanterns, their lights reflecting on the still water surface to create a captivating play of light.

Discover Les Echasses, an eco-lodge in Saubion, France, that features a restaurant, 7 cabins and a small lake.

An Unforgettable Stay Amidst Nature

Each cabin features a private terrace with a fireplace and a comfortable hanging chair, making it the perfect spot for relaxation and enjoying the serene views. The interiors are simple and minimalist, allowing natural light and lake views to be the main focus. Wood-burning stoves add warmth and an intimate atmosphere during the winter, making the villas comfortable and enjoyable year-round.

Seven wooden cabins on stilts float above the water, offering privacy, comfort, and a unique architectural design in the Landes landscape.

The Restaurant: The Social and Flexible Hub of the Project

The project is not limited to accommodation; it also includes a central restaurant that acts as the vibrant heart of the place. The restaurant features a distinctive “butterfly” roof that forms generous outdoor canopies, creating a natural, shaded dining terrace. Its interior is flexible and spacious, easily adaptable to host business events and meetings alongside leisure dining experiences, making it a multi-purpose destination.

Each wood cabin has a private terrace, complete with a fireplace, minimalist interiors, and a hanging chair to enjoy uninterrupted views of the water.

A Journey Through a Reshaped Nature

The guest journey begins from a wooden entrance that blends with the surrounding forest, then winds along paths connecting the sand dunes, pine trees, and the lake. Over time, this landscape continues to evolve and mature as the newly planted trees deepen the feeling of complete integration between the built environment and nature. “Les Echasses” is more than just a place to stay; it is a continuous dialogue between architecture and landscape, where nature is the protagonist.

✦ Editorial Insight from ArchUp

This article presents a vision of the aesthetics of merging sustainable architecture with the natural environment, highlighting the “Les Echasses” project in France as a model for luxury eco-accommodation that respects its surroundings. The main positive aspect lies in the rich narrative style and visual descriptions that transport the reader to the site and allow them to imagine the experience with all their senses. However, the article could benefit from adding more technical details about the project’s sustainable environmental aspects (such as energy or water systems) to deepen the educational angle. Ultimately, the article remains an excellent example of how to present architectural projects in an engaging, story-driven way that inspires those interested in both design and sustainable tourism.