From IKEA to France: The Journey of Bas & Mandy and Club Les Ormes

If you’re dreaming of a stress-free family escape where the hosts truly understand what families need, this story is for you. From IKEA to France: The Journey of Bas & Mandy and Club Les Ormes traces how two long-time IKEA professionals moved their family to rural France, transformed a secluded park into a warm, small-scale club, and shaped a holiday experience built on space, calm, and personal attention. In this post, you’ll learn what inspired their move, how those values show up across the park, and how to plan your stay.

A bold move in 2014: a family adventure becomes a family business

In 2014, Bas and Mandy moved to France with their family, acquired the former Chalets les Ormes holiday park, and renamed it Club Les Ormes. After long careers at IKEA in the Netherlands and abroad, the adventure of hospitality called to them—even without prior tourism experience. Over the years, their children have also worked alongside them, and Club Les Ormes has grown into a true family business.

• Hosts: Bas and Mandy van Duivenboden (present on site to welcome you)
• Location: Lieu Dit 'Pré de Courbe', 1344 Route de la Pagésie, 47210 St. Etienne de Villeréal, France
• Season: Open May through September

What did they bring from their earlier careers? A practical, guest-first mindset: clear communication, thoughtful design choices, and an eye for the details that make family time easy. Those principles show in the park’s small scale, generous spacing, and friendly routines that help you relax from day one.

What makes Club Les Ormes different

Small-scale, space, and tranquility define the experience. There are 32 accommodations spread across a very large 10-hectare area, so families enjoy privacy without feeling isolated. All accommodations have private sanitary facilities, and everything is within easy walking distance.

• Child-friendly by design: playground, paddling pool, indoor playroom, and safe open spaces where kids can roam.
• Social when you want it: a welcoming restaurant and terrace for coffee, lunch, ice cream, or a cool drink; in the evening, long communal tables invite families to dine together.
• Relaxed rhythms: during the height of summer, the catering is open all day and dinner is served six evenings a week.
• Always connected: complimentary Starlink Wi‑Fi across the park and in all accommodations—fast and steady for streaming or remote work.

The result is a gentle balance: plenty of peace and room for your family, with friendly neighbors and activities never too far away.

Accommodations shaped for family time

Whether you prefer a wooden lodge, a luxury tent, or a spacious holiday home, you’ll find an option that fits your family’s pace and style.

Lodges and Courbe

• Lodges: Charming wooden houses with the most space around them—ideal if you value privacy and quiet.
• Courbe: A distinctive lodge introduced in 2017, set on the park’s edge. Its architecture blends indoor and outdoor living and frames lovely countryside views.

Luxury Tents

• Eight Luxury Tents are arranged together on a meadow with a characteristic wooden scaffolding structure and full modern bathroom facilities.
• The layout preserves privacy on your own terrace, while the meadow’s midfield often becomes a lively hub for football matches or a spontaneous shared barbecue.

Maison Pigeon

• Maison Pigeon is a large holiday home for one family of up to eight people.
• Well-equipped kitchen: dishwasher, six-burner gas stove with large oven, Nespresso machine with milk frother, and all essential accessories.

Tractor (Trekkers) Field

• A shady Trekkersveld on the park’s edge welcomes short-stay campers and visiting friends or family.
• Each hiker’s pitch has its own dedicated shower in the nearby sanitary building, which also includes toilets and a washing machine.

When you book, you also book access to the club’s facilities. In addition to pools (including a pool bar open in the afternoon), you’ll find children’s entertainment on various days, a fitness room, and relaxing massages, manicures, and pedicures. There’s also a large multi-sports court for basketball, football, and hockey.

Daily care that lets you switch off

Bas and Mandy’s guiding priority is to unburden families so you can relax. You’ll see it in the warm greetings, the tidy grounds, and the dependable flow of information:

• Club app: Access is included with each booking and use is compulsory. Hosts share practical messages and activity updates—please read notifications in a timely manner.
• On-site presence: The team is at the club daily to answer questions and help you settle in.
• Arrivals: Standard check-in from 17:00 and check-out by 10:00. You’re welcome to arrive earlier on the day of arrival, and you may stay on the premises after check-out to keep enjoying the facilities. Late check-out is possible only in pre- and post-season when availability allows—ask the hosts.

Toddler Weeks: more flexibility for young families

For families with little ones, Toddler Weeks (Peuterweken) offer more flexible arrival and departure days and reduced rates in the early and late season. For the 2026 season they run from 25 April – 4 July and from 22 August – 28 September.

Quick answers about Club Les Ormes

When did Bas and Mandy take over Club Les Ormes?

2014. They moved to France that year, acquired the former Chalets les Ormes, and renamed it Club Les Ormes.

What is Club Les Ormes?

A small-scale holiday park in the French countryside offering families spacious accommodations and many on-site facilities.

Where is it located?

Lieu Dit 'Pré de Courbe', 1344 Route de la Pagésie, 47210 St. Etienne de Villeréal, France. When driving, watch for signs with the Club Les Ormes logo so you don’t mistake it for the neighboring campsite.

How do I book?

Use the Zoek & Boek feature on the website to search and book your preferred accommodation.

Is Wi‑Fi available?

Yes. Complimentary Starlink Wi‑Fi covers the entire park and all accommodations, with speeds generally suitable for streaming and remote work.

Are there communal dinners?

Yes. In the evening, you can join long tables to meet other families and enjoy dinner together.

What is Courbe?

Courbe is a lodge introduced in 2017, set on the park’s edge to blend indoor–outdoor living with countryside views.

How many Luxury Tents are there?

Eight, each fully furnished and equipped with its own modern bathroom.

What is the capacity of Maison Pigeon?

One family of up to eight people.

Are there private sanitary facilities?

Yes. All accommodations include private sanitary facilities.

Practical takeaways to plan your stay

• Book early with Zoek & Boek to secure your preferred accommodation and dates.
• Traveling with toddlers? Consider Toddler Weeks for flexible arrivals and reduced rates in early/late season.
• Make the most of arrival day: you can access the premises earlier than check-in and linger after check-out.
• Download and use the Club app; it’s essential for schedules, updates, and messages from the hosts.
• Rely on Starlink Wi‑Fi if you need to work or stream.
• Love the outdoors? The surrounding Lot‑et‑Garonne and nearby Dordogne regions are scenic for cycling and walking.
• Prefer privacy? Choose a Lodge (more space around you) or Courbe for its edge-of-park setting.
• Want atmosphere and convenience? Opt for the Luxury Tents on the meadow with private facilities.
• Need room for a bigger family? Maison Pigeon fits up to eight and includes a well‑equipped kitchen.
• Hosting friends for a short stay? Point them to the Trekkersveld (tractor field) with dedicated showers and nearby facilities.
• Before you drive: use the Plan your route guidance on the site and follow signs with the Club Les Ormes logo.
• Explore before you arrive: take the interactive virtual tour by clicking the park map in the “Neem een rondleiding” section on the website.

Conclusion: A club built on care, space, and togetherness

From IKEA to France: The Journey of Bas & Mandy and Club Les Ormes is ultimately about heart—two hosts who turned a bold move into a welcoming haven for families with young children. With private facilities, generous spacing, friendly dining, and thoughtful services, the park is designed to make family time simple and memorable.

Ready to plan your holiday?

• Explore accommodations on the Sleep page.
• Check availability and book with Zoek & Boek on clublesormes.com.
• Questions? Contact Bas and Mandy via the Contact page, email info@clublesormes.com, or call +33 (0)6 78 14 86 25.