Life at Le Moulin Luxury Villa Collection has been moving at full speed lately. Recent months have been marked by meaningful progress, fresh ideas and a wonderful sense of momentum — reopening Le Moulin, transforming Le Malbec, moving house, tending the vineyard, and celebrating milestones that mark the evolution of our little piece of paradise in the Lot Valley. From building sites to blooming gardens, from the first bottling of our wine to opening new spaces for guests to enjoy, this season has been one of energy, achievement, and heartfelt pride.
Le Moulin – Season 4
Preparations for our fourth season at Le Moulin commenced in April. The house needed to be awakened after a long winter of hibernation. The garden and vineyard were calling for attention after the winter months. With James and Carl lending their enthusiasm, everything moved with purpose and momentum. Christina was still busy at college but she was with us in spirit.
By the time our first guests arrived, Le Moulin had come alive again — shutters open, beds made, kitchen gleaming and lawns mowed – the familiar hum of summer settling into the house. Welcoming those first visitors reminded us exactly why we love what we do.
Moving House
In the middle of reopening, we were also navigating a house move — a logistical challenge that kept us on our toes and tested our nerves! We needed to vacate Le Malbec ahead of its June opening and move into La Carral. The only complication was that both houses were still building sites.
La Carral, in particular, was far from ready. At one point, the plumber casually mentioned he had “forgotten to order the toilet,” which summed up the chaos perfectly. We found ourselves in a loop: unable to move out until we could move in, and unable to move in until we could move out! With patience, improvisation, and a good dose of humour, we made it work.
Launching Le Malbec – Romantic Hideaway for Two
And then, almost overnight, the building site transformed. The walled garden took shape, trees appeared in the new carpark, gravel paths were laid, and flowers softened every corner. The swimming pool shimmered a perfect shade of blue, its gentle water feature adding a sense of calm.
Inside, I arranged vases of wildflowers, prepared the welcome hamper, and placed the personalised greeting card — the final touches that make a house feel like a home.
Welcoming our first guests was a proud moment for Marc, the children, and me. Le Malbec is now officially open — a romantic retreat designed for couples celebrating a birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, or simply a well‑deserved holiday.
For further details, visit ‘Le Malbec’.
Photos courtesy of Rachel McLaughlin
The First Bottling Of Our Wine
A milestone to treasure: the first bottling of our own wine. After months of tending the vines, monitoring growth, and nurturing the vineyard through unpredictable weather, seeing the bottles lined up felt like a dream taking shape. A small production, but a meaningful one — the beginning of a new chapter in our story.
Opening The Pétanque Court
Summer has also brought a new space for guests to enjoy: our pétanque court. Nestled in the shade of the trees, it has already become a favourite spot for relaxed afternoons, friendly competition, and sunset gatherings. A simple addition, but one that adds charm and a touch of French tradition to the estate.
BBQ for the Builders
To mark the end of this intense chapter, we hosted a BBQ for the artisans who helped bring the renovations to life. I did a little speech in French, thanking the builders and acknowledging Marc for his exceptional vision, passion and kindness. We all raised a glass to our local team member, Patrick for his unwavering support over the past six years. A special mention to our children — Carl, James, and Christina, who have joined us on this journey every step of the way. Their presence makes every milestone even more meaningful.
Surrounded by the people who helped shape our dream, we felt nothing but gratitude.
What’s Next
As we look ahead, the momentum continues. With Le Malbec now open for couples seeking a romantic escape — whether for a holiday, honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday treat — and Le Moulin already welcoming bookings for 2027, Le Moulin Luxury Villa Collection is entering an exciting new chapter. La Carral, our peaceful hillside retreat, is on track to open in summer 2027, adding yet another beautiful space to our collection. Between the upcoming wine harvest in September (fingers crossed) and the transformation of an old barn into a wine shop and studio bedroom, there is so much more to come. Thank you for following our journey — we can’t wait to share more stories with you.
Here’s to the next five years—and beyond. 🥂
Deirdre & Marc
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From Donegal to dreamy France – the Irish family behind Harvey’s Point reveal their new hidden gem
After selling their beloved Harvey’s Point hotel, Deirdre McGlone and Marc Gysling turned to a centuries-old millhouse in France. We travelled to Occitanie for an exclusive preview stay, and to hear the couple’s plans for their ‘doll’s house’…
Pól Ó Conghaile – Sat 15 Jul 2023
Read the full story on Independent.ie/travel
Le Moulin sur Célé
46160 Saint-Sulpice
France
Tel. +33 6 73 12 71 74
Email: stay@lemoulinsurcele.com
GPS: 44°34’05.9″N 1°48’03.7″E
Opening Times:
Available for letting throughout the year
