New Year at Mas de Louise,
in a large family house

New Year's Eve is not like Christmas. Fewer rituals, more freedom: it is often spent with friends, sometimes apart. Spending it as a family, across several generations, takes a house that can welcome everyone — those who want to dance until dawn as well as those heading to bed once midnight has struck. That is exactly what Mas de Louise was designed for.

A large family house to end the year

Mas de Louise has eight independent suites and is only available for full private hire, for up to fifteen guests. Every couple, every family has its own bedroom and bathroom: on New Year's morning, nobody queues for the shower.

Above all, the house has several living spaces. Christine's sitting room with its table for fifteen, Catherine's sitting room — the old sheepfold — for the end of the evening, and Jacqueline's sitting room upstairs, among the suites. Everyone can live the night at their own pace without ever quite leaving the party. Discover the Mas's living spaces.

The last dinner of the year

On the evening of the 31st, one of Louise's partner chefs can take over the Mas's kitchen. The menu is planned with them in advance, around the Ardèche's winter produce — black truffle, Coiron cheeses, game, chestnuts. They cook, serve at the table, then clean up before leaving. As 31 December is a very busy evening, having a chef depends on availability at the time you book: the earlier you book, the better Louise's chances of finding you one. All the details are on our Signature Moments page.

Some families prefer to cook themselves: Christine's semi-professional kitchen is built for large tables. The housekeeping service can then step in to lay the table, clear and do the dishes, while you stay seated.

Midnight under the Coiron sky

In Lussas, far from city lights, winter nights are among the clearest of the year. A few minutes before midnight, everyone steps out onto the terrace, a coat around the shoulders and a glass in hand. The countdown happens under the stars, facing the sleeping vines.

Then it is back inside to warm up in Catherine's sitting room. Volcanic stone walls, the soft glow of wall lamps, a mini-bar and board games: this is where the evening goes on, for as long as anyone wants.

The children celebrate too

The youngest have dinner with everyone, then go up to bed upstairs, right next to their parents. If they want to stay up until midnight, they have room to play without disturbing anyone.

So that the adults can fully enjoy dinner, one of Louise's partner babysitters can come to the Mas for the evening. The children stay in the house, carefully looked after, with their parents just a few steps away.

New Year's Day, a slow awakening

The next morning, nobody sets an alarm. Ardèche breakfasts are served at whatever time you choose: bread from the Lussas bakery, homemade jams, honey, fresh cheeses. Some come down early; others stay in Jacqueline's sitting room upstairs, in their dressing gowns.

In the afternoon, it is time for the first walk of the year. The Mirabel loop, eight minutes from the Mas, climbs towards the tower and the basalt cliffs, with a wide view over the plateau. We describe it in our article The Coiron plateau.

Staying a few days longer

The French Christmas school holidays run from Saturday 19 December 2026 to Monday 4 January 2027. Over New Year, the minimum stay at the Mas is four nights, time to really enjoy the Ardèche winter once the party is over: markets, empty gorges, snow on Mont Mézenc (see our article What to do in the Ardèche in winter).

For stays of several days, a mid-stay cleaning puts the house back in order. And to start the year well, a partner therapist can come to the Mas for a massage, right in your suite.

Your questions about New Year at the Mas

Where can we spend New Year with the whole family in the Ardèche?

Mas de Louise is a large family house with eight suites in Lussas, at the foot of the Coiron plateau. It is only available for full private hire, for up to 15 guests: the whole family celebrates under one roof, each with their own bedroom and bathroom.

How many nights do we need to book for New Year's Eve?

Over New Year, the minimum stay is four nights, for example from 29 December to 2 January, or from 31 December to 4 January. Availability is on our Rates page.

Can we have a chef cook dinner on 31 December?

It is possible, subject to availability. 31 December is a very busy evening: whether a partner chef can come depends on when you book. The chef then takes care of the menu, cooking, service and cleaning up. Quote on request.

Is the Mas suitable for New Year's Eve with children?

Yes. Children sleep upstairs, close to their parents, and a partner babysitter can come to the Mas on New Year's Eve.

A good New Year's Eve isn't measured by the number of courses or by what time everyone went to bed. It is measured by what remains on New Year's Day: a full house, and the feeling of having started the year together.

To plan your stay, check our availability and rates, discover our private hire formulas, or contact Louise directly to prepare your New Year's Eve.