A Dog-Friendly Stay at La Rive Étoilée
Canine Tourism: A Dog-Friendly Stay at La Rive Étoilée
Experience adventure in the heart of the Jura mountains with your faithful companion.
La Rive Étoilée, in the heart of the Jura mountains, is the ideal destination for nature lovers and their dogs. Treat yourself to an unusual break, between mountains and forests, in the shelter of a green setting, where the Genevray pond and the surrounding countryside promise a real return to basics. Dogs are welcome here!
Come and enjoy a peaceful stay in total harmony with nature, in the heart of the Rive Étoilée estate. Your pets are welcome in our ecolodges. Whether you're a keen hiker, a lover of forest walks or simply looking to relax by the water, this unspoilt environment will offer you a real break from the hustle and bustle. Take advantage of an exceptional setting where your four-legged friends will also feel at home.
Activities to share unique moments with your dog
At La Rive Étoilée, the adventure isn't limited to a simple stay. A number of activities are available in the area around the estate, close to the Hauteville plateau, so you can share special moments with your dog while exploring the natural wonders of the Jura.
Flochon Sport Outdoor
For thrill-seekers, Jean-Michel offers mountain biking and orienteering. And the good news is that these activities are dog-friendly! Your dog can accompany you throughout the adventure, creating unforgettable memories in a magnificent natural setting.
Bad Ain Sports
Under the supervision of Sylvain Tatot, you can take part in fun activities such as Gel Blaster (shooting with gel balls) and Tag Archery (archery with foam arrows). A dynamic, energetic setting, perfect for sharing a moment of fun with your dog in a friendly atmosphere.
Bugey VTT Évasion
Discover the Haut-Bugey region through hiking, mountain biking and relaxing. This holiday will allow you to share memorable moments with your dog, combining sport and nature, while enjoying the exceptional landscapes of the Jura.
Montagne Aventure
For hiking enthusiasts, experienced guide Sylvain Poncet offers half-day or full-day excursions in hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing or themed outings. Activities to suit all levels, where you and your dog can enjoy total immersion in the mountains together.
Cani'Spot
Discover the Cani'Spot trails, specially designed for canitrailing and canirando. In the enchanting setting of Haut-Bugey, you and your dog will enjoy a unique experience, while admiring the majestic landscapes of the Jura.
La Rive Étoilée winter activities
❄️ A winter at La Rive Étoilée ❄️
Treat yourself to a winter getaway at La Rive Étoilée ✨
Winter is the perfect time to get away from it all and discover the natural wonders of the Ain. At Bleu Minuit, we invite you to enjoy a unique experience in the heart of this magnificent region, surrounded by snow-covered forests, majestic mountains and frozen lakes. Whether you're a winter sports enthusiast, a lover of relaxation in the great outdoors, or simply looking for adventure, come and discover the Ain, a region that will meet all your expectations.
Events not to be missed in winter
During the months of February and March, the region is full of events that will allow you to enjoy the snow-covered landscapes while having fun. Here are a few not-to-be-missed events:
In February
14 February - Valentine's Day at the Casino du Plateau d'Hauteville
The Casino du Plateau d'Hauteville welcomes you in a warm and festive setting, combining pleasure, relaxation and entertainment. With games, music and a friendly atmosphere, it's the perfect opportunity to celebrate love while enjoying exceptional surroundings.
February 21 - Torchlight descent at Terre Ronde
The evening begins with a spectacular descent by torchlight. After the descent, a fireworks display will light up the sky.
22 February - Confectionery making and tasting at Maison Noeufcoeur
If you're in the mood for a fun, gourmet activity, don't miss the confectionery-making workshop at Maison Noeufcoeur. Get your hands dirty and create delicious homemade sweets.
February 27 - Discover the work of a beekeeper
On this guided tour, you'll learn all about honey-making, from harvesting to packaging, and discover the secrets of these little industrial creatures.
In March
March 5 - Zorbing and Tubing competition at La Terre Ronde
Come and take part in the zorbing (descent in a giant sphere) or tubing (descent in a buoy) competition at La Terre Ronde. An exhilarating experience for all the family and friends.
March 5 - Festive folk tobogganing evening at La Terre Ronde
The Domaine de La Terre Ronde invites you to a convivial evening of tobogganing down the slopes in a warm, folkloric atmosphere.
Moments of well-being in the heart of winter
After a day of intense activity, there's nothing like relaxing in an exceptional natural setting. The region offers a number of ways to combine well-being and nature:
- Romantic Nordic evening
During this evening, you can enjoy a special moment together in a Nordic bath in the heart of nature. Relaxation, warmth and the magic of winter await you.
- Snowshoeing & relaxation
A tailor-made experience for couples looking to get away from it all. After a beautiful snowshoe hike, enjoy a well-deserved moment of relaxation.
- Plateau d'Hauteville wellness area
After a day on the slopes, relax in the open-air Nordic baths and enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountains. The sauna and baths offer total relaxation.
- Nordic areas in the Ain: Winter activities
The Ain has a wealth of ski areas and Nordic resorts where you can enjoy a multitude of winter activities. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing... There's something for everyone, from beginners to experts.
- Belleydoux: cross-country skiing in the heart of the Haut-Jura
Just an hour from La Rive Étoilée, the Belleydoux ski area is the perfect place for cross-country skiing in an unspoilt natural setting, in the heart of the snow-covered forests of the Haut-Jura.
- Apremont : Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
The Apremont ski area, also just an hour from La Rive Étoilée, offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails, ideal for those wishing to discover magnificent, unspoilt landscapes.
- Domaine de la Praille: just 15 minutes from La Rive Étoilée
Domaine de la Praille, just 15 minutes from La Rive Étoilée, is a paradise for Nordic sports fans. With 53km of marked cross-country ski trails and 25km of snowshoe trails, it's the perfect place for a day of sport in the heart of the mountains. For families and beginners, there's also a toboggan run and a play area with a snow wire for children.
- Domaine de Terre Ronde: Family resort par excellence
Just 15 minutes from La Rive Étoilée, Domaine de Terre Ronde is the ideal place for families. With 10 downhill ski runs for all levels and a SnowPark for freestyle enthusiasts, there's something for all the family.
Other winter activities not to be missed
- Snowshoeing on the Plateau de Retord :
Discover snow-covered landscapes on snowshoe hikes. Whether by day or night, this activity will allow you to explore magnificent panoramas.
- Lac de Genin :
The ‘Little Canada of Haut-Bugey’, when temperatures drop, Lac Genin transforms into a huge natural ice rink. Ideal for a skating session or a walk around the lake.
- Ice Canyoning at La Sandezanne :
For thrill-seekers, ice canyoning offers a unique winter adventure down an icy canyon.
- Nature Game at Lac de Genin :
A life-size treasure hunt with family or friends, where you'll have to solve an investigation to clear the name of a local worker. A fun and interactive way to discover local history.
- Tubing at La Terre Ronde :
Settle into a giant buoy and get ready to hurtle down the slopes for 52 metres of exhilarating slides. Suitable for children aged 3 and over, this activity is ideal for fun with family and friends.
- On all fours :
Activities with companions
- Dog-sleigh ride :
La Ferme Bertrand offers you a dog-sleigh ride on the Retord plateau. Comfortably seated, you'll be pulled by huskies through breathtaking scenery.
- Horse-drawn sleigh ride :
Ride a draught horse around Brénod with family or friends, comfortably seated in a sleigh.
- Visit the kennels :
Come and meet the Siberian huskies and learn more about their way of life, their diet and their role in the carriage. It's a fun, friendly experience, punctuated by cuddles and petting.
- Cani kart and cani rando :
For those looking for an even more interactive adventure, discover the cani-kart, where you'll be pulled by a pack of Nordic dogs, or opt for the cani-rando, an outdoor activity where a dog helps you move forward during a beautiful winter walk.
For gourmets: Snowshoeing, fondue and night-time discoveries
Winter is also the ideal season for gourmet pleasures in the great outdoors.
- Night-time snowshoeing & fondue at the Ferme Guichard:
The Ferme Guichard offers you a snowshoe walk to discover the nocturnal fauna. A tasty fondue awaits you on arrival.
- Fondue in the heart of nature:
Sylvain invites you on a snowshoe hike in secret corners of the Jura, where you can enjoy a Comté cheese fondue by the fire. A friendly, tasty experience, ideal for sharing a unique moment.
Golden ticket rules
CONTEST: Prize draw: 5 golden tickets to be won !
1 gift voucher purchased = 1 entry in our Christmas competition
In December, Bleu Minuit celebrates 5 years of existence! To celebrate, but above all to thank you for your support, we’ve got a few surprises in store for you this December. Exclusive discounts, an advent calendar on our Instagram account and golden tickets to win a premium stay: Bleu Minuit is spoiling you!
🎁 Each gift voucher purchase gives you the chance to win one of the 5 golden tickets up for grabs.
How does it work?
- Buy a gift voucher : Each gift voucher purchased, regardless of the amount, automatically gives you one entry into the prize draw.
Pssst: use the code NOEL24 to get 10% off your gift voucher*!
- Entry in the draw: After your purchase, your name will be entered in the final draw.
- Draw date: The draw will take place at the beginning of January and will be announced on our social networks. Winners will be contacted by email.
To be won: 5 Golden Tickets!
- A €50 voucher valid on the entire bleu-minuit.com website
- A €100 voucher valid on the entire bleu-minuit.com website
- A €150 voucher valid on the entire bleu-minuit.com website
- One night’s accommodation in an ecolodge for 2 people, excluding Saturdays, in the area of your choice
- One night’s accommodation in an ecolodge for 2 people in one of our 3 areas:
📍Domaine La Rive Etoilée: Night under the stars on the water with breakfast basket & private Nordic bath (except Saturday evening)
📍Domaine de L’Arche: Night under the stars and half-board included with our partner restaurant Anthon. Access to the sauna and Patagonian bath included (excluding Saturday evening).
📍DomaineLa Source: Night under the stars with breakfast basket and 20-minute massage for 2 people (excluding Saturday evening).
Draw rules:
- The draw is open from 1 December 2024 0:00 to 31 December 2024 23:59.
- Only gift vouchers purchased during this period will be taken into account (excluding free gift vouchers).
- Gift vouchers will be valid for 1 year**.
- One entry per gift voucher purchased
- Winners will be selected by random draw and contacted by us
- If the prize is not claimed within 14 days, a new draw may be held.
Good luck to everyone! 🍀
*Valid from 1 to 31 December on l’Arche, la Source and la Rive Étoilée gift vouchers only on dry overnight stays.
**From the date of receipt of the e-mail announcing the prize to the winner.
The must-see Alsatian Christmas markets
Which Bleu Minuit Domain will you be celebrating the magic of Christmas in?
Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of the big cities or the intimacy of the villages, from 27 November Alsace will be pulsating to the rhythm of the Christmas festivities. An invitation to set down your bags at the Domaine Bleu Minuit de L’Arche ou de La Source !
Put together the holiday that’s right for you, and embark on a marvellous interlude of conviviality and authenticity, where tinsel and illuminated fir trees combine with the beauty of the town’s heritage. The streets and squares sparkle with a thousand lights, and you’re in for a magical stroll through enchanting scenery filled with the scents of honey, spices and citrus fruits !
Bleu Minuit invites you to plunge into a world of gourmet aromas, craft treasures and lights as you stroll down the aisles and past the little wooden chalets of the Christmas markets !
Just 4 km from the Domaine de La Source, the Molsheim Christmas market is held every weekend. On Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 December, discover the major attraction of these festivities: the Marché de Noël d’antan, devoted to medieval entertainment.
Ten kilometres further on, the Obernai Christmas Market, authentic and intimate, is entirely devoted to gastronomy and crafts.
In Strasbourg, the Christmas Capital, let yourself be carried away by the characteristic scents of gingerbread, mulled wine and pretzels. Marvel at the typical Alsatian decorations in Petite France, the glittering cathedral and its majestic Christmas tree… and explore the illuminated streets.
Further south, discover Colmar’s 6 Christmas Markets and its Old Town, lit up and decorated like a fairytale, a historic setting made magical by the Christmas lights.
At the gateway to northern Alsace, where forests and legends bring Christmas to life, visit the Haguenau Christmas Market. Located around thirty kilometres from the Domaine de L’Arche, it is a celebration of traditions. Closer by, about a 20-minute drive away, you’ll also find the Niederbronn-les-Bains Christmas Market, with its superb illuminations, Santa’s house, carved wooden cot, wishing trees and Santa’s sleigh, ideal for family photo opportunities… There’s plenty to marvel at for young and old alike.
Savour the moment and let yourself be carried away by the enchantment of the moment !
Book your Christmas at Bleu Minuit !
Give a gift card for Christmas !
Alsace encourages the soft mobility so dear to Father Christmas, pioneer of the genre with his reindeer-drawn sleigh. It’s easy to get to the region by TGV from Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux, and then wander around the Rhine plain as you please on the TER regional express trains.
From Colmar station, shuttle buses take you to eight of Alsace’s finest Christmas markets (Ribeauvillé, Kaysersberg, Neuf-Brisach, etc.).
Got no choice but to take the car? No problem. Alsace’s main towns have set up park-and-ride facilities, so you can walk, take the tram or bus to the heart of their markets.
Gift idea for Valentine's Day!
The perfect gift idea for Valentine’s Day!
Looking for an original gift for Valentine’s Day? 💘
This year, surprise your lover.se with a 100% unusual experience under the stars, in the heart of nature! 🍃
Don’t panic, Bleu Minuit has the solution!
Offer a gift voucher for a romantic getaway to one of our 3 estates ✨
✨ How do I do it? ✨
1. Go here or to the top right of your screen and choose the domain and gift voucher package that appeals to you!
Included in our l’Arche gift vouchers :
- 1 night for 2 people with access to the sauna and Patagonia bath
- Half-board with dinner (gourmet menu option available) and buffet breakfast at the Anthon restaurant
Included in our gift vouchers for the Source :
- 1 overnight stay for 2 people
- A Liberté or Harmonie treatment for 1 or 2 people with 2 hours access to the baths
Included in our Rive Étoilée gift vouchers :
- 1 night’s accommodation for 2 people in a Land ecolodge OR a Water ecolodge
- Unlimited access to the private Nordic bath on your terrace
2. Enter the promotional code: AMOUR25 to receive a 10% discount*.
*code valid until 28 February 2025, for the purchase of gift vouchers (discount valid on dry overnight stays only)
3. Enjoy a unique experience with your other half by adding the service of your choice to your gift voucher:
Discover all the activities on offer for each domain on their respective pages and contact us for more information.
4. Watch the stars appear in your lover’s eyes as you give them this unforgettable gift…✨
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What’s on your mind? Ready to reserve your best Valentine’s Day gift for your loved one, alone with nature for a romantic, original and unforgettable evening?
Book your gift voucher! ⬇️
Daša Faith, masseuse, partner of Bleu Minuit Obersteinbach
Portrait
bio
There are many things you can do when you’re good with your hands. For example, you can play basketball. Daša Faith has made basketball his profession. She left her native Slovakia to play professionally in Germany and then in Burgundy.
But you can also be a masseuse. It’s the second path Daša has chosen after basketball.
The club in Dijon financed my training in massage and wellness at the Joël Savatofski Institute. As I wanted to work in Alsace to follow my husband, I first worked at the Muller Hotel in Niederbronn-les-Bains for 3 years before opening my practice in Woerth, in the Bas-Rhin.
It offers all kinds of massages: relaxing, sports, pregnant women, shiatsu, massages with suction cups or hot stones, foot reflexology…
I like to do good for people. Seeing clients leave my office with a smile on their face, relaxed and Zen, is my greatest joy.
In 2018, her name made it to the winner’s list of the Best Practitioner Spa Competition, gold medal in her category.
Daša also practices in the workplace and has open a practice in Schiltigheim, near Strasbourg. The possibility of becoming a service provider for Bleu Minuit immediately excited her.
This idea of reconnecting to oneself and to nature corresponds perfectly to the idea I have of my profession. A massage is also a good way to find oneself. I love the idea of massaging in these beautiful lodges and in a natural setting. For me too it will be a real pleasure!
Marc Lévy, General Manager of Alsace Destination Tourisme
Interview
bio
Marc Lévy has supported the Bleu Minuit project from the outset and has provided expertise and advice.
What is the mission of Alsace Destination Tourisme?
We are a consulting and expertise agency for for development and promotion of tourism, operating for the two departments Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin. Alsace is the gateway to discover other territories, notably the Vosges mountains. We are also active in the area of certification and qualification of tourist-focused products and services, particularly for bicycles rental, access for handicapped people, the flowering of villages, etc.
Why were you interested in the Bleu Minuit project?
Hélène Trautmann, the project’s initiator, came to see us to give us an outline of the project. We discussed the possibilities of partnership and financing, as well as the different orientations in line with the atmosphere we wish to promote for our tourism offer, following the establishment in 2017 of our development and innovation strategy.
Alsace is a touristically qualitative but rather traditional territory. This is why we wish to support and accompany the bearers of innovative projects that will allow us to diversify and differentiate our offer. This is not necessarily what will make visitors come, but it is what will make them stay and come back. They come for an image of Alsace that they have in mind, an image of Epinal in a way, but our strength is also to show them something else, to surprise them.
This is what seduced us in the Bleu Minuit project.
How did you orient the initial project?
We found it interesting to look at territories that are a little less travelled, where the offer is less important, to get out of the Strasbourg-Colmar axis. We therefore proposed to look in Northern Alsace. And given the eco-responsible orientation of the project, present from the outset, we thought of the Vosges du Nord natural park, which is very involved in this area. It made sense. We are now going to publicise this wonderful project, notably via a press kit which will be presented to journalists at the Deptour forum, organised by the Tourism and Territories federation, on January 13th and 14th at the Salons de l’Aveyron.
Georges Flaig, Chef and Manager of the Anthon Hotel-Restaurant
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bio
There are fates from which there is no escape. Georges Flaig grew up in the corridors of the Anthon Hotel, learned to walk in its gardens, discovered the flavors in the restaurant’s kitchens. “I’m part of the furniture,” he smiles. His great-grandfather married one of the daughters of the Anthon family, owner of this former post house nestled in the heart of the Northern Vosges Natural Park, in the picturesque village of Obersteinbach. An inn since Napoleon, now in the Flaig family for four generations.
After learning the basics of the cooking profession, Georges perfected his training with great chefs such as Loiseau and Westermann, and travelled according to his commitments, from Saint-Tropez to Argentina, via Courchevel. In 2001, at the age of only 24, he took over the company owned by his mother following the death of his father when Georges was a child.
Georges Flaig offers a cuisine that he himself describes as “free”. “We cook what we like to eat, things that seem simple on the surface, but with a lot of taste and hard work. “Everything is homemade with local and seasonal products: bread, pastries, yoghurts, jams, ice cream… “We are fortunate to be able to work with excellent producers. For example, there is a trout farm nearby which allows us to offer one of our great classics all year round: trout ravioli with candied shallots. We revisit Alsatian cuisine in a more modern, lighter way. But we also have a choice of fish and scallops, which are still essential!”
Anseau Delassalle, designer and co-founder of Novablok
Interview
bio
Everything in Anseau Delassalle’s journey seems to have led him to the Novablok adventure. His studies in graphic art at ESAG Penninghen in Paris, his experiences as a designer in fashion, his passion for architecture…
In 2009, he met Julien Ménard, interior designer. “I felt the need to leave the pixel for the real, to create something tangible. Very quickly we wanted to design and build our own concept-house, in contact with nature. »
“The fashion of the day was containers and wooden huts. We really wanted to dust off the image of the wooden house, make it beautiful, with noble materials. Our approach was aesthetic down to the last detail, with a pure, minimalist design. Charred wood, for example, helps prevent fires and is an excellent natural insect repellent. »
Novablok’s concept is simple: a non-anchored, customizable habitat in direct contact with nature, to live at your own pace. “With a large bay window, nature is in full HD! I like the idea of it being like a boat, to travel through the forest in the heart of the elements.”
Rita Jacob Bauer, General Manager of the Regional Natural Park of Vosges du Nord
Interview
bio
Trained as an architect, Rita Jacob Bauer joined the Vosges du Nord Regional Nature Park team in June 2009 as a Planning and Development Project Manager. In particular, she works on architectural heritage, with the objective of limiting the loss of agricultural land and on soil artificialization to preserve biodiversity and local agriculture. In October 2018, she took over the management of the park at the age of 36.
Created in 1975, the Vosges du Nord Natural Park, which borders Germany, was recognized as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1989. With her team, Rita Jacob Bauer strives to preserve this natural richness by working on several axes, such as the reintroduction of the lynx and permanent grasslands. “We try to make sure that the cows graze. This is good for them and for consumers and it is excellent for biodiversity. This is also of economic interest to the farmer. »
In addition, a charter has been put in place to promote the economic development of local tree species – mainly beech and Scots pine – and the economic development of the wood sector. “We highlight everything that can be done with beech, in construction or office furniture,” she explains.
As soon as she took office, Rita showed an interest in setting up the lodges inside the park. “It’s an exciting project. The relationship to nature, to the stars. This corresponds perfectly to the general philosophy of the park, with a real environmental concern in the design of the lodges, the choice of products. The concept is also original with this emphasis on night skies. »