an air of the far west in the Berry countryside

We live there as in the days of the pioneers: Bell Fourche City, no electricity or running water. The village even has its own saloon… Aurélie, from Bourges, has booked two nights with her children aged 10 and 5, all excited to live like cowboys. It was the children who decided on the type of accommodation: they preferred the pioneer tent at the Indian ti-pi: ” The first cities of the west when they came up, they were cities of tents, of canvas “ summarizes Franck Gilbert, creator of Bell Fourche city. ” It is this type of tent that I propose. There are different sizes. The largest corresponds to an officer’s tent during the Civil War. There is a large double bed and a small wooden camp bed. We still make a small departure from the 19th century atmosphere since the large bed has a mattress and a box spring. ”

The Great Pioneer Tent © Radio France
Michael Benoit

Amaury, 10, feels as brave as a real cowboy: ” Tonight, I’m going to sleep alone in a small tent, like a grown-up! I’m really happy to be here. We’re going to lasso, horse and lots of activities. It’s going to be awesome.

Amaury, ten years old, and his sister Eloise, five years old
Amaury, ten years old, and his sister Eloise, five years old © Radio France
Michael Benoit

No cell phone, and for hot water : ” There are small pioneer stoves for heating water on basins ” explains Franck Gilbert. ” Another even more ecological solution is to put water in the basin in the morning, to tie it in the sun and to wash in the evening: I assure you that the water can be very hot.

To heat the water, a small wood stove and a basin
To heat the water, a small wood stove and a basin © Radio France
Michael Benoit

Dry toilets, and the campfire in the evening with bison sausages on the menu, near the pioneer cart: ” It really corresponds to what we want: disconnecting, simplicity, returning to nature “ rejoices Aurélie, the mother. ” When I was younger, I did riding courses where we slept rough. It doesn’t scare me. You don’t have to have all the comforts of a hotel.

Franck Gilbert, owner of Bell Fourche city, behind the saloon bar
Franck Gilbert, owner of Bell Fourche city, behind the saloon bar © Radio France
Michael Benoit

Next year, the sheriff’s office will be installed next to the saloon. the village will thus expand each year. There will also be a prison. Franck Gilbert will even welcome the guests of a wedding this weekend: ” The party is going to be here. And the newlyweds asked me to symbolically pronounce their union as mayor of Bell Fourche. Which I will gladly do in full dress. Obviously, the real wedding will have taken place before at the town hall. Guaranteed memories… for young and old…


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