The story of Mas de Laval

Built by the Templers in the 14th century, the houses of Mas de Laval are arranged around a center court.

Over the years, the ongoing changes of its agricultural use and the peoples need see Mas de Laval being transformed into a silk worm farm, later it is used for sheep farming and agriculture. Periodically, up to 50 people lived at the Mas.

1973 , Stephanie Pfitzner was able to buy a good part of Mas de Laval, most of it in ruins, without water or electricity, and not having been inhabited for long time. Together with her family, 14 horses and 3 dogs she awoke the Mas to a new life.

With her sons Michael and Stefan and the help of many good friends, Laval was restored brick by brick, drilling for water was successfully completed and stables for horses were built. Shortly after, friends of the family were able to acquire the remaining houses. In the 80s, a swimming pool was added to the Mas, and more houses were restored.

Stephanie Pfitzner retired in one of the Mas Laval houses and enjoyed the ongoing liveliness of the Mas, the growth of her grand and great-grandchildren and the visits of old and new friends. In 2016, at the age of 96, she passed away and was buried in the small private cemetery in Mas de Laval.

The majority of the houses at Mas de Laval is privately owned and used. Depending on the season, up to 40 people can enjoy their stay at Mas de Laval. The spacious structure of the Mas as well as its geographically isolated location allow for perfect privacy and individual vacation. However, it is your own choice to meet with others on the court or at the pool side and exchange visiting experiences, restaurant addresses or recipes.

For children, the pool is the preferred meeting point.

As in every beautiful place in this world, Mas de Laval has it's own occasional downside:

In 5 km distance, the Circuit of Ledonon, a motor race course, is active and its noises are occasionally heard at Mas de Laval, depending on the direction of the wind. We are working at solving this problem.