Apartment

Capacity

5 people (+1 baby)

Rooms

2 separate bedrooms

Beds

1 double bed + 3 single beds (+ 1 crib)

You step in, set down your bags, and something relaxes. Perhaps the thick walls, perhaps the wood-fired stove, perhaps simply the silence. About 80 m² over two levels, in the heart of Courtelary, in an old farmhouse dating back to 1767.

The History of the Place

A historic home

The apartment is the historic heart of this ancient dwelling dating back to 1767. Its history is not entirely clear – the dates and stages of construction remain uncertain – but one can sense the many transformations that took place over the centuries. As with many farmhouses in the region, the orientation of the roof appears to have changed, likely to enlarge the building. Farming activities ceased well before the early 20th century.

Renovations

The renovation of this home took place between 2021 and 2026, respecting the historic structure, in collaboration with the heritage conservation authority. Special attention was given to materials: the original window glazing was replaced with vacuum glass, insulation mainly consists of cellulose wadding and foam glass (recycled materials), lime and raw earth – period materials that allow the rubble stone walls to breathe. Heating comes 100% from renewable sources: thermal solar, wood, and connection to a district heating network (wood chips). The apartment retains many traces of the past: the 1923 tiled stove-bench, the Neuchâtel-style wood panelling, and the original interior windows. These elements have been carefully preserved and restored.

The famous beam

Every house has its secrets. Beneath the floor, the rammed earth gave up its treasures: marbles, buttons, a school exercise book, bits of shoes, bones and even a few cartridge cases. Small traces of a life once lived within these walls. But the most surprising discovery was a beam resting on two simple door frames, with nothing else to support it. What a miracle the roof never sagged. It is this beam that gave the apartment its name. La Poutre de Perlimpinpin came about on its own.

The spaces

Salon avec fourneau à banc, fauteuils et canapé, La Poutre de Perlimpinpin

Salon avec fourneau à banc de 1923, La Poutre de Perlimpinpin

Salon avec escaliers pour les chambres et accès à la salle de bain, La Poutre de Perlimpinpin

Salon avec table à manger vu depuis la cuisine, La Poutre de Perlimpinpin

The living room and dining room

You step into the apartment and find yourself directly in the large living space: lounge, dining area, and the 1923 tiled stove-bench, restored and converted into a radiator heated from the wood-fired stove. The room is generous and bright, with a table and a seating area to relax. It is the heart of the apartment.

Two staircases lead to the upper level. The main staircase, which had to be entirely replaced during the renovation, leads upstairs. The second, more discreet one – a miller’s staircase hidden behind the stove-bench – leads directly to the large bedroom. A little surprise that curious guests will discover for themselves.

Cuisine avec cuisinière à bois, La Poutre de Perlimpinpin

The Kitchen

Separate from the lounge, the kitchen is a room of its own, allowing you to cook without taking over the living space. It is equipped with a wood-fired stove for winter and a cooktop for the warmer months. On the worktop, you’ll find our homemade herb salt and herbal teas – homemade products to go with your meals, should you feel like it.

Salle de bain avec douche, appartement historique La Poutre de Perlimpinpin

Salle de bain avec toilettes sèches et mur à la chaux, La Poutre de Perlimpinpin

The bathroom

A shower, solid hand soap, and bath linen are provided. Everything you need, nothing more.

The apartment is equipped with a dry toilet: comfortable, clean, and odour-free when used properly. Clear instructions are available on arrival. Most of our guests tell us this way of doing things is well accepted and represents an ecological benefit.

Grande chambre avec lit double et un lit simple, La Poutre de Perlimpinpin

Petite chambre avec 2 lits simples et une commode, La Poutre de Perlimpinpin

The rooms

The apartment has two separate bedrooms, accommodating up to 5 people (+ 1 baby).

The large bedroom is furnished with a double bed, a single bed and a reading armchair. A generous space suited to a couple with a child, or simply to those who enjoy a bit more room.

The smaller, cosier bedroom holds two single beds side by side.

The outdoor area

A shared outdoor space is available to guests. The permaculture garden, currently being developed, will enrich this space over the course of 2026 : a living spot to observe, breathe, or simply sit.

The spaces at a glance

What makes this apartment different

01

The wood-burning stove

Evenings grow warm around it, a cup in hand, the crackle of the fire in the background. A comfort that no electric heating could ever replace. And thanks to the water circuit, you’ll be heating not just the apartment, but the whole house!

02

Materials

The renovation was carried out with particular attention to its ecological footprint: natural, local materials, chosen for their durability. You can feel it in the thickness of the walls, in the silence, in the quality of the air.

03

The story

Beams that still carry the memory of the place, a past you can sense in its volumes. Hard to explain, easier to feel once you arrive.

What's included

Kitchen

Italian coffee maker,
Kettle
Kitchen linen
Cheese fondue and raclette equipment
Dishes and utensils
Homemade herb salt
Homemade herbal teas

Bathroom

Solid soap
Bath linen
Toilet paper

Bedrooms

Bed linen
Books
Board games

Practical

Parking
100% renewable heating
Wi-Fi (activated on request)

A question or a wish to stay ?

Write to us, we’re happy to answer, usually within 24 hours.