What happens when you take an old stone barn in the French countryside and slowly turn it into a welcoming vegan B&B in France?
For Marie DesRochers and her husband, David Binker, that dream became La Grange DesRochers. Their vegan bed and breakfast sits in the countryside near Fontainebleau, around an hour south of Paris.
The property is still a work in progress. However, guests can already stay in a beautifully renovated cottage, enjoy fresh vegan food, and explore one of France’s most fascinating regions.
In this episode of the World Vegan Travel Podcast, Marie shares their story. We talk about moving to France, renovating an 1800s barn, vegan hospitality, local adventures, and some of their favourite vegan places in Paris.
From Canada to the French Countryside
Marie is originally from Canada. She and David moved to France in 2018.
Marie had lived in France before and missed many things about European life. She loved the history, culture, French language, and the ease of travelling between countries.
France felt like a natural place to build a new life.
When choosing where to settle, the couple were especially drawn to the Fontainebleau area. Both enjoy rock climbing, and the famous Fontainebleau Forest was a major attraction.
At the same time, Paris is still easy to reach. This gave them the quiet country lifestyle they wanted without feeling isolated.
Their village has a population of only around 300 people. Marie describes it as peaceful and surrounded by fields, including beautiful sunflowers in summer.
Turning an 1800s Barn into La Grange DesRochers
Finding the right property took time.
Marie had long dreamed of running a bed and breakfast. However, the couple struggled to find a conventional house that suited their plans.
Then David found a barn.
Built in the 1800s, it gave them something a normal house could not: a blank slate.
It was also very much a working barn.
There were old horse stables, manure on the floor, a horse trough, hay stored above, and huge wooden beams. Marie and David even moved into part of the building while the renovation was underway.
David has completed almost all the renovation work himself.
That has meant tackling everything from construction to moving enormous wooden beams. At times, he has used pulley systems and basic physics to complete jobs that would normally involve a team of people.
The transformation is still continuing, one project at a time.
A Peaceful Vegan B&B Near Fontainebleau
La Grange DesRochers is intentionally small.
Marie and David do not want it to feel like a large hotel. Instead, they want guests to experience something intimate, comfortable, and peaceful.
Currently, guests can stay in Bella’s Cottage.
The cottage has a fully equipped vegan kitchen, dining and living areas, heated floors, and a rustic bathroom. There is also a clawfoot bathtub and an Italian-style shower.
The cottage currently has one bedroom, although Marie and David hope to turn it into a two-bedroom cottage.
They also plan to create another guest room inside the main barn, in the area where hay was once stored.
For anyone searching for Fontainebleau vegan accommodation, it offers something quite unusual: a completely vegan stay in the French countryside with Paris still within easy reach.
Organic Vegan Breakfasts Made Fresh Each Morning
Food is an important part of staying at La Grange DesRochers.
David does the cooking and also manages the garden. As a result, many vegetables can travel straight from the garden into the guests’ meals.
Breakfast is cooked, organic, and changes each day.
Rather than serving the same standard breakfast every morning, Marie and David want guests to experience variety.
Savoury and Sweet Morning Food
Breakfast generally has two parts.
There is something sweet, but the meal tends to focus more on savoury dishes.
Their own experience as frequent travellers helped shape this approach. They know how enjoyable it is to wake up knowing breakfast will be interesting and different from the day before.
From the Garden to the Breakfast Table
Whenever possible, David uses vegetables grown on the property.
This gives guests another connection to the countryside around them and makes seasonal produce part of the experience.
Three-Course Vegan Dinners in the French Countryside
Guests can also choose to have dinner at La Grange DesRochers.
Many do.
After a day of sightseeing, they may not want to search for a vegan-friendly restaurant or drive somewhere else for dinner.
Instead, David prepares a three-course vegan meal.
Dinner is accompanied by organic vegan wine from France, and when the weather allows, meals are served outdoors.
As the barn renovation continues, indoor dining is also becoming part of the experience.
It means guests can spend an entire day exploring and then return to a home-cooked vegan meal without having to plan another journey.
Exploring Fontainebleau and the Surrounding Villages
One of the biggest advantages of staying here is the location.
There is plenty to explore beyond Paris.
Château de Fontainebleau
Marie recommends spending time in Fontainebleau itself.
The Château de Fontainebleau has centuries of French history behind it and was once home to Napoleon. Its gardens also make it worth allowing plenty of time for a visit.
Moret-sur-Loing
Another favourite is Moret-sur-Loing, less than 20 minutes from the B&B.
This picturesque medieval town sits beside the river and has cobbled streets, old stone buildings, and a beautiful bridge.
It is an easy place to wander without needing a packed sightseeing schedule.
Flagy and the Smaller Villages
For something quieter, Marie also recommends Flagy.
This small village is known for its flowers, streams, little bridges, and traditional French atmosphere.
Marie and David sometimes cycle there with guests.
Fontainebleau Forest: Climbing, Hiking and Cycling
The Fontainebleau Forest is one of the main reasons Marie and David chose this part of France.
It is particularly famous for rock climbing. However, visitors can also hike, mountain bike, run, and simply spend time in nature.
David was previously a professional cyclist, so cycling is naturally a big part of life at La Grange DesRochers.
At the time this podcast was recorded in July 2026, Marie explained that part of the forest had temporarily closed following a major wildfire. She and Brighde also discussed the intense heat Europe was experiencing at the time.
Conditions and access can change, so travellers should always check current information before planning activities in the forest.
Vegan Paris Is Only About an Hour Away
A countryside stay does not mean you have to miss the vegan food scene in Paris.
Marie and David regularly visit the city and shared several favourites during the episode.
VG Pâtisserie
For classic French pastries, Marie recommends VG Pâtisserie.
Think flaky vegan croissants, cakes, and the type of treats you would expect to see in a traditional French pâtisserie.
Land & Monkeys
Land & Monkeys is another vegan bakery favourite.
Alongside croissants and pain au chocolat, you can find sandwiches and plenty of tempting baked goods.
Le Potager du Marais
For traditional French dishes made vegan, Le Potager du Marais is one of Marie and Brighde’s favourites.
Brighde particularly recommends the vegan bourguignon, French onion soup, and crème brûlée.
One important tip: make a reservation. The restaurant is popular and can fill up quickly.
Daimant
Marie also recommends Daimant, which has locations including Daimant Saint-Honoré and Faubourg Daimant.
It offers a more modern take on vegan dining in Paris, with an atmosphere that feels relaxed while still being a little more upscale.
Marie was especially impressed by the vegan caviar she tried there.
More Than Just Vegan Accommodation
A stay at La Grange DesRochers can also include activities.
Marie is both a physiotherapist and Pilates instructor. She offers personalised Pilates sessions and can adapt them to individual needs.
Marie and David also organise cycling experiences, including road and mountain biking.
Rock-climbing outings are another possibility when conditions in Fontainebleau Forest allow.
This makes the B&B a particularly good fit for travellers who want an active trip rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
Getting to La Grange DesRochers from Paris
You do not necessarily need a car.
Marie explains that guests can take a train from central Paris to a station near the B&B. The train journey takes around 50 minutes.
The local station is about 15 minutes away by car, and Marie and David can arrange to collect guests.
That makes this vegan bed and breakfast near Paris a realistic countryside escape even for travellers who do not want to rent a car in France.
How to Book La Grange DesRochers
Marie and David prefer a personal approach to bookings.
Most guests contact them directly by email rather than booking through a large accommodation platform.
Travellers also discover them through Instagram, Facebook, HappyCow, and VegVisits.
You can learn more on the La Grange DesRochers website or follow their latest renovations, food, and countryside life on Instagram at @veganbnbfrance.
For vegan travellers who want to experience more than Paris, La Grange DesRochers offers an interesting alternative.
You can explore medieval towns, cycle through the countryside, visit Fontainebleau, spend time in nature, and still be close enough to Paris for a day trip.
Best of all, you return to a place where vegan food is not an afterthought. It is part of the whole experience.
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- La Grange DesRochers – Vegan B&B and wellness retreat near Fontainebleau.
- La Grange DesRochers on Instagram – Follow Marie and David at @veganbnbfrance for the B&B, renovations, food and life in the French countryside.
- Château de Fontainebleau – Explore the château, gardens and centuries of French royal and imperial history.
- Fontainebleau Forest – Visitor information for the forest, including hiking, cycling, climbing and current access information.
- Moret-sur-Loing – Learn more about the medieval riverside town Marie recommends visiting.
- Flagy – Discover the small historic village known for its streams and bridges.
- VG Pâtisserie – Paris vegan pâtisserie known for plant-based French pastries and viennoiseries.
- Land & Monkeys – 100% plant-based bakery with several Paris locations and vegan versions of classic French bakery favourites.
- Le Potager du Marais – Vegan French cuisine in Paris; Marie and Brighde both recommend it in the episode.
- Daimant – Plant-based Paris restaurants including Daimant Saint-Honoré and Faubourg Daimant.
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Vegan France: Castles, Caves & Elephant Sanctuaries
- Vegan Retreat France: Permaculture & Conscious Living at Moulin Scalagrand | Frederique Peutz
- Vegan Stores in France
- Mindful Gite: Vegan Retreat in Southwest France | Ingeborg Vijn
- Vegan Walking Tours in Paris | Vegan Food Tours France
