The Relais de Roquefure used to be a huge house, abandoned for years.

At the beginning, we were not really taken with it because of its size and dilapidation. In spite of that, we still were attracted to it. We observed it for a long time and realized that it got damaged and was in a pitiful state. But it did not prevent us from planning to acquire it. Then, our goal was to give it back its splendour.

We had to sell all we had to be able to afford it. We started by selling our beautiful farm located in Isere which made us so proud.
At the end of 1981, we signed the bill of sale. Our hearts were beating so fast maybe because we were about to live a great change in our lives. Indeed, our children and us were used to live in a house with all modern conveniences and here they were obliged to lead another life with less

comfort. However, all together, from the youngest to the oldest, we rolled up our sleeves and started to work. Unfortunately we did not expect that giving back its splendour will be so expensive. But we did not give up. Our everyday life was well ordered, meaning unremitting work from the early morning to nightfall. We lifted beams, rocks all day long and at the end of the day we were exhausted. Our children, Philippe and Christian were very shaken up as they did not really understand why we left our comfortable house in Isere for such an inhospitable place. We made them lead a quite hard life without noticing their distress. This period lasted 8 months. We worked so relentlessly, teeth greeted and hands on fire, but we were still thinking to be able to move mountains. We wanted to win our bet because so many people thought we would not succeed.

Then at the end of July 1989, the first clients came. We thought they got lost or that they did not find somewhere else to go! We had just obtained the right to put up our hoarding indicating our opening. And we got one star rating and the label Logis de France. Moreover, we had just finished the renovation of the 5 rooms where we could still smell the wet paint. I remember my emotion while I welcome those clients. They were supposed to stay only for 2 days but they left us after spending 15 days at the hotel even if it was still under construction. At those times we did not have a proper dining room and we relied on the nice weather to enjoy meals outside under the huge trees of the park. It used to be fine until that terrible storm.
We were obliged to find a solution! So all the clients and all the staff ended in the kitchen. These are unforgettable moments of conviviality for all of us. So unforgettable that those clients came back every year.

Then during the winter 1982-1983, we created a stable and a cottage to welcome horsemen and organize horse-riding courses. Indeed, with the precious help of Michel our neighbour,

we created an equestrian centre which was a great success. Thus and thanks to that success we were able to continue on the construction work. Horsemen kept on coming and the word of mouth helped to that success. I must say that there used to have more horses than cars in the parking area.

Georges, My husband were in charge of the pony trick and the cooking!! And I was in charge of cleaning the rooms and doing the shopping. I was also the waitress at lunch time and dinner time. We did not count the working hours and did not pay attention to our tiredness because the clients were there and it made us very happy.

We had more and more registrations for the horse riding courses. So in order to cope, we hired a cook, an instructor and young ladies to give a hand and join our team.

In 1982, the national stud farms were opening and we could see splendid stallions. Roquefure started to be a very famous place in this sector

We were continuing on working flat out to improve the decoration of the rooms and the whole hotel aspect. In 1989, we got a two star rating and had now 15 rooms.

Later, in 1992, we decided to build a swimming pool. It is entirely dug into the rock.This year, our son Philippe, joined us and became our cook. Our other son Christian, chose a different way and became a computer scientist. But who knows, maybe, one day he will join our team.

During the winter 2000-2001, we had totally re-decorated the rooms and put a brand new roof. Then, during the winter 2001-2002, we finally ended the most important part of the construction work and focused on making our rooms more comfortable for our clients.

And as we hoped for such a long time, the house had its soul back.

Now, we do not run the equestrian centre anymore. It is still situated on the side of our hotel. There is still the bridle path and we are very happy to welcome the horsemen each time they stopped at the hotel.

Jeanine