Evi and Marc show us around the Trois Tortues estate. It’s a place of life and passion that the Franco-Greek couple simply share with great generosity. It’s also the story of a reconversion and deep convictions put into practice in a beautiful environment. They offer the ideal ecogite for a nature vacations in the heart of an olive grove, as well as a wide range of organic products from their own estate. The Three Turtles are located in the southern Peloponnese, in the seaside resort of Methoni (Homer’s Modon).
L’Hermitage: a gite in the heart of an organic olive grove for nature vacations
If we have chosen this place in Messinia is that we’ve fallen under its spell. When we took our first steps here, we were warmly welcomed. The beauty and tranquility of its landscapes, remarkable sites and beaches , as well as the quality of its food and drink, convinced us to settle here. It’s a region to discover, taking all the time you need to soak up its colors, scents, calm and warm welcome.
The lodge is part of the Trois Tortues ecotourism project. The aim is to create a social bond around the home, agriculture and our products, and to share the joy of a place that is both beautiful and simple, raw and discreetly sophisticated. A whole new way of life to experience.
An ecogîte conceived and designed using traditional techniques
The house, built of stone on the site of an old farm building, can accommodate 4 to 6 people. It was built and shaped by hand. The exterior cladding was cut from large quarry stones and stones salvaged from the site.
Inside, we’ve adopted some of the traditional techniques found in older buildings in the region. The interior wall plaster is made from earth excavated from the house’s foundations and mixed with straw to increase its insulating properties. It offers a soft beige hue and a soothing ambience to the home.
Under the mezzanines that open onto the living room and cover the kitchen and bathroom, we laid reeds taken from the river below our hill. The technical choices made suggest that the house is traditional and has always existed in this location.
A low-energy home
The house has been designed to be self-sufficient: the equipment runs on rain and sun, leaving a zero-carbon footprint.
Solar panels, invisible from the ground, supply the energy to a discreet technical room. The distribution system is designed to shut down when electrical equipment is not operating. As a result, there is no longer any current flowing through the home’s network, erasing all electromagnetic emissions.
Water is collected from the roofs of the Hermitage and directed to a large cistern. This system provides low-pressure running water for the bathroom and kitchen. In addition, the latest-generation solar water heater provides hot water. To save water and redirect it for gardening use, we’ve switched from flush toilets to dry toilets.
To book your stay
Ecogites are an economical way to spend a nature vacation in Greece. Rental is by the week, from Saturday to Saturday, based on 4 people.
Rates: €100 per night from June 1 to September 30; €80 per night from October 1 to May 31.
A simple and generous farming estate
The tacit charter of the Three Turtles can be translated as follows.
“Staying as simple and close to nature as possible, without dubious manipulation, and remaining human (at its most creative and generous) at every stage by staying connected to the forces of nature.”
An organic olive grove
Our agriculture is organic and gradually moving towards permaculture. We help our trees as little as possible, whether for their food or for certified organic treatments.
Our main aim is to enrich our biotope and increase its fertility, making it resilient in the face of summer drought and climate change, and welcoming an abundance of life.
Products from the land and tradition
Les Trois Tortues products are minimally processed, contain no chemical additives and are certified organic. We design them to be simple, tasty and as close as possible to their natural characteristics and traditions. They make the most of the resources that Greek nature has to offer.
We produce olive oil, olive groves, aromatic and medicinal plants, berries, vegetables, citrus fruits, soaps and traditional folk medicines. You can discover the fruits of our research and reflection on our website .
We distribute our products :
- in a number of specialized grocery stores in Paris
- direct sales in France at our two annual sessions in spring and autumn
- or simply at home in Athens and on the estate.
We look forward to welcoming you for a nature vacation in Méthoni.
Marc and Evi from Domaine des Trois Tortues
