Five places in radio silence
18. August 2021
Ferme Auberge Fennematt, Alsace, France
The Berghof Fennematt is located at an altitude of 900 meters in the middle of the Parc de Ballon d'Alsace nature reserve. Up here, guests can really switch off in a new building that is biologically sound.Fennematt is located in a radio hole and is therefore also WLAN free, but rich in wild nature and time to relax.
The host, Eide Dücker, is the initiator of the cooperative project, which not only supports the Berghof's guest operations, but also a nursery and community. A few years ago he made a conscious decision to live a slower life, left Berlin and moved to Alsace. On his spiritual path he drew new strength and thought about what he really needs to be happy. Fennematt found him in 2010 when he went to the Vosges to see a community project. He describes it as love at first sight and a deep sense of connection. In 2016 he was able to acquire the property in full. Construction could begin one year later: on the 60 hectare site, approx. 3 hectares were terraced and laid out according to the principles of permaculture. This was followed by the new building: a Feng Shui optimized solid wood construction with healthy building materials.
Six of the apartments are designed as two-story studios (45m2) with a kitchen, bathroom and an open dining and living area and offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. In addition to the studios, there are 6 bedrooms (30m2) with a shower room on the ground floor, which are furnished as single, double or triple rooms. The guests take care of themselves in the communal kitchen, with an adjoining separate dining room and a spacious, light-flooded living room / group room, which is also very suitable for seminar groups that cater for themselves.
The special thing about the Fennematt is that it is a low-fun place to stay. The new building has a shielded electrical installation, so there is no WiFi, neither for the hosts nor for the guests. Eide decided to take this step because he became more and more aware of how sensitively he reacts to radio waves and that he would like to live in a place where he can feel completely comfortable and does not experience any exposure to radiation. This is very well received by the guests, because many long, at least during a vacation, for this kind of radio silence.
The Fennematt combines communal living and business with ecological agriculture and its own gardening - art and culture should not be missing either. Eide is supported by a small community of spiritual and sensitive people.
By the way, we also featured this accommodation in Five places in radio silence.
Sustainable
ArchitectureThe entire new building project was accompanied by an experienced Feng Shui architect from the basic concept to the details of the furnishings. The building is clear, flooded with light and cozy. As far as possible, materials were chosen with a view to sustainability. The cooperation took place with regional companies, for example the "NUR-HOLZ solid wood house" was completely manufactured, delivered and built by the Rombach company from the Black Forest.
FoodThe guests cater for themselves in the modern kitchenettes in each studio. The Berghof Fennematt is a vegetarian / vegan establishment. Guests are asked to take this into account when planning their meals. There is the possibility that guests can purchase local organic products. The hosts manage 60 hectares of land, around 25 hectares of mixed forest, 16 hectares of natural regeneration and 15 hectares of green or pasture land. Three hectares are cultivated according to the principle of permaculture. The landscaped terraces with vegetables, herbs, fruit and berries offer many delicacies depending on the season, which guests can also purchase.
Since the beginning of the project and in agriculture, the hosts have been working closely with employees from the valley. The relationship is very friendly. In addition, the hosts are members of the “Gemeinwohl Ökonomie” and donate regularly through their own foundation for various projects, in particular for emergency education.
EnvironmentThe hosts attach great importance to sustainability, which can be observed across the board: Electricity is obtained from a green electricity provider. It is heated by means of solar thermal energy and pellet heating as well as a basic wood stove. There is also a separate kitchen compost for organic waste. The Fennematt is a non-smoking house. The smoking ban also applies in the immediate vicinity of the house and on all terraces and balconies. One reason for this is the location in the middle of a nature reserve. The wastewater is cleaned by microorganisms in our own plant treatment plant. For this reason, guests are asked to use purely biodegradable personal care products and cleaning agents.
Well-BeingGuests can enjoy a wide range of offers: herbal hikes, yoga, meditation, regression, snowshoeing, massages, coaching and many more. The offer varies depending on the season, presence and availability of external providers from the company's own network. The area offers numerous tours for hiking or mountain bikes. Numerous hiking trails are right in front of the house. The Lac de Aalfeld is only 15 minutes away by car and invites you to swim in the middle of the mountain panorama. You can drink fresh spring water directly behind the house at the "Source de la Doller".
Characteristics
- Cooperative holidays close to nature in the middle of a nature reserve
- Completely ecological new building according to Feng Shui
- Vegetarian / vegan accommodation
- Vegetables, herbs and fruit can be purchased from the Berghof's permaculture
- Surrounded by wild nature, snow in winter, green meadows in summer
- Scottish highland cattle live on the premises
- Digital detox: the house is in a dead zone. Internet only via LAN cable, W-LAN or hotspots are prohibited
- Large selection of activities: herbal hikes, yoga, meditation, snowshoeing, massages, coaching and many more
- Many excursion possibilities in the area: various hikes with a view of the Alpine chain, weekly market in Masevaux, the lake Lac de Alfeld and the Parc de Ballon d'Alsace nature park
Features
- Six holiday studios for up to 3 people each
- All studios with their own kitchenette
- A large apartment for up to 13 people
- Large apartment with 6 bedrooms with shower room, communal kitchen, large living room
- Wood stove sauna and hot tub
- Delivery of local organic products possible by pre-order
- Non smoking house
- Weekly rental
Testimonials
2010 stand die landwirtschaftliche Immobilie Fennematt im Elsaß zum Verkauf. Der vollständige Erwerb des Anwesens zog sich über 6 Jahre. Baubeginn war im Sommer 2017. Umfangreiche Eingriffe in das 60 ha Gelände standen an erster Stelle. Die großen Wiesen- und Waldflächen wurden mit 3 km Holzzäunen zum Teil eingefriedet. Für die landwirtschaftliche Nutzung wurden Teiche angelegt, mehrere Quellen gefasst und acht große Terrassen (ca. 2 Hektar) an den Hängen angelegt. Die ökologische Landwirtschaft mit einer kleinen Herde schottischer Hochlandrinder und einem eigenständigen Gartenbaubetrieb wird nach Permakultur-Prinzipien betrieben.
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Location + Directions
By car
The Fennematt can be reached from Mulhouse in around 40 minutes (46 km). From Basel it takes about 1 hour (80 km), from Freiburg i. Br. It takes a little longer than 1 hour (103 km), from Strasbourg it takes 2 hours (150 km) and from Zurich it takes a good 2 hours (164 km). You will receive the exact address when booking.
With public transport
The nearest train station is in Mulhouse. There is a bus connection from Mulhouse to the church in the village of Sewen. From there it is about 7 km uphill to hike. Collection in Sewen is possible on request (costs EUR 20 per trip).
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