Our Story --- From Irish Roots to a French Hamlet

We're Carl and Tara, the Irish couple behind Larroque Haute Gîtes. In February 2023, we left Ireland behind and moved to the Lot department in South-West France with a dream that felt both enormous and simple: to bring an abandoned hamlet back to life and create a place where guests could truly unwind.

That hamlet was Larroque Haute. When we first saw it, the buildings were tired, the gardens overgrown, and the land had been left to return to nature. But beneath the brambles and the peeling paint, we saw something special --- stone walls with stories, views that stopped you in your tracks, and a silence that is increasingly hard to find.

Our journey was featured on Channel 4's Help! We Bought a Village, which followed the reality of leaving everything familiar behind to take on a centuries-old French property. The cameras captured the challenges, the discoveries, and the moments of pure joy that came with transforming a forgotten corner of France into the luxury rural sanctuary it is today.

The Restoration Journey

Restoring Larroque Haute has been a labour of love. We have rebuilt, repaired, and reimagined every space while trying to honour the character of the original buildings. Where possible, we have used local artisans, traditional materials, and techniques that respect the history of the hamlet. The result is a collection of gîtes that feel both timeless and comfortable --- old stone walls, modern bathrooms, original beams, and kitchens you actually want to cook in.

Our Philosophy

We believe that the best holidays are the unhurried ones. That's why Larroque Haute is adults-only --- a quiet, uncrowded space where you can read by the pool, walk through the woods, watch the deer, and sleep better than you have in months. With only eight guests across seventeen acres, the sense of privacy here is genuine, not marketing speak.

We also believe in the small touches that make a stay memorable: a welcome hamper waiting in the kitchen, honey from our own beehives, advice on the best local market, or simply being on hand if you need anything.

With heartfelt thanks,
Carl & Tara