The Cabin in the Air: a French holiday living in trees
Do you need a break from the noise of the city, or are you looking for a chance to welcome the sun—waking up to the sound of birds and squirrels? Paris will always be a beloved destination in France, but if you want something different, Cabin in the Air offers a memorable way to slow down and reconnect with nature.
La Cabane en l’air (“Cabin in the air”) is more than a place to sleep—it’s primarily an alternative concept, an ideal, and a way of life for people with a passion for the environment and for trees. If your idea of a perfect getaway includes forest silence, candlelight, and simple comforts, this French treehouse holiday is designed to deliver exactly that.
What is Cabin in the Air (La Cabane en l’air)?
An off-grid stay designed for nature lovers
Up there in the canopy, the experience is intentionally stripped back: no water or electricity, just a few candles, and rooms that open onto terraces. You can lie in comfortable beds while the forest stays quiet outside—an atmosphere many guests describe as deeply calming. Practical needs are still covered: showers and toilets are available on land.
A network of treehouses across rural France
One of the most distinctive aspects of Cabin in the Air is its scale. There are about two hundred huts belonging to the network “The Cabin in the air,” located in about thirty different sites scattered in rural France. This makes it easier to find a location that fits your itinerary—whether you’re planning a weekend reset or a longer nature-focused trip.
How the cabins are built (and why it matters)
If sustainability is part of why you travel, you’ll appreciate this core design detail: the huts were built without anything being planted or screwed into the trees. Each hut is also an original creation, rather than a copy-paste cabin repeated across every site.
In practical terms, this approach aims to reduce harm to living trees while still allowing guests to experience the forest from above. It also helps explain why each cabin can feel different—layout, terrace style, and the surrounding view vary from one build to another.
How high are the cabins?
The huts sit between 5 and 20 meters high. That height range is part of the magic: high enough to feel removed from everyday life, yet designed to remain accessible depending on the cabin type and guest needs.
Who is this treehouse holiday for?
Families, couples, and friends
The experience can be shared with your family, partner, or friends. The goal is the same: to enjoy nature’s beauty and have a relaxing holiday that feels genuinely different from hotels and city breaks.
Family package: connected cabins and breakfast
For guests with children, the hotel offers a special family package: two cabins connected by a terrace, where guests can savor breakfast offered by the owner at the foot of the tree. It’s a small detail, but it reinforces the experience—simple, grounded, and shared.
Cabin versions and child-friendly options
There are several versions of these cabins, designed for different ages and comfort needs:
- Toddler (accessible to infants)
- Junior (from 6 years)
- Older children (over 12 years) with zip and mini golf adventure
Generally, children seem to be the most enthusiastic about the joys of sleeping bags, spending the night by candlelight or with a dynamo lamp. For many families, this becomes a gentle gateway to talking about nature, consumption, and comfort—without turning the trip into a lecture.
A slower pace that supports eco-minded travel
This kind of off-grid cabin stay naturally encourages a slower rhythm: fewer screens, fewer distractions, and more attention to small things—wind in the leaves, bird calls at dawn, and the pleasure of doing less. As a form of eco-friendly travel in France, it aligns well with people who want experiences with lower-tech comfort and more nature immersion.
For adults: a childhood dream in the canopy
For adults too, the whole experience can feel like a childhood dream: to take refuge at the top of a tree, cut off from the world, with only the birds for neighbors. It’s the kind of quiet that’s hard to find in everyday life—and it can be surprisingly restorative after months of commuting, notifications, and constant noise.
Quick recap: Cabin in the Air at a glance
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| What it is | A network of treehouse stays in rural France called La Cabane en l’air (Cabin in the Air). |
| Off-grid setup | No water or electricity in the cabins; lighting via candles; showers and toilets on land. |
| Scale | About 200 huts across about 30 sites in rural France. |
| Tree-friendly build | Built without anything being planted or screwed into the trees; each hut is an original creation. |
| Height | Between 5 and 20 meters above ground. |
| Family option | Two cabins connected by a terrace + breakfast offered by the owner at the foot of the tree. |
| Cabin types for kids | Toddler, Junior (from 6), and 12+ with zip and mini golf adventure. |
Practical info: where to book
For more info and reservations: lacabaneenlair.com
Call to action
CTA: Want more low-impact getaway ideas like this treehouse hotel experience? Browse WhatAGreenLife.com for sustainable travel inspiration and choose one small change for your next trip—start with where (and how) you stay.