Love Photographing Nature from our Wildlife Hides / Affûts in France

Hides / Affûts

Please note that the hides (known as affûts in French) and other photographic activities are reserved primarily for residents of our gites. The hides can be booked by non-residents, subject to availability, please contact us using the form at the bottom of the page for more details.

Location

All the hides are located upon our twelve hectare property.  If you are staying with us, the hides are all within a five minute walk of our accommodation.

Species

A list of the species that visit our hides can be found here.

Pricing

A weekly fee of €250 per person (or €400 per person for two weeks use) allows for access to all of our hides (subject to a rotational use policy if other clients are resident), as well as all the on-site meadows, woodland and wildlife pond. The hides can also be hired on a daily basis for €75 per person.  To book hides please use the contact form at the bottom of the page.

If you do not have a gimbal head for use in the hides then these can be hired for €10 each per week.

Non-photographers can use the hides at a 50% discount.  However, if taking a camera (other than a camera phone) the full photographers rate is payable.

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Interior of one of the Reflection Pool Hides / Affûts
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Meadow Reflection Pool Hide / Affût 

This is a large reflection pool of 2.5m in width located in a scrubland/meadow setting, close to a woodland edge.   The hide is frequented by buntings, finches and warblers associated with scrubland and woodland edge and has attracted forty species so far.  

The hide is a two-person permanent hide with one-way mirror glass window and portals with snoots for lenses.

The end of the reflection pool is 4.6m from the window of the hide.  Zoom lenses work best due to the varying size of birds the pool attracts.  However, prime lenses of up to 600mm on a full frame body can be used effectively for smaller birds.

The hide has comfortable padded and height adjustable seating, electric fans and USB charging points.

Moveable plates are provided (with a 3/8″ inch thread) which enable you to screw on a gimbal or ballhead of your own.  Beanbags are also provided in the hide if you do not use a ball/gimbal head.

Woodland Reflection Pool Hide / Affût 

Set in a small woodland clearing this hide has a small reflection pool of approximately 1m in width.  It is an infinity-style pool which allows for images where the waters edge merges with the background colours.   There are also different perches and feeders to either side of the pool to provide a range of image possibilities.

The hide is a two-person permanent hide with one-way mirror glass window and portals with snoots for lenses.

The end of the reflection pool is 4.25m from the window of the hide.  Zoom lenses work best due to the varying size of birds the pool attracts.  However, prime lenses of up to 500mm on a full frame body can be used effectively for smaller birds.

The hide has comfortable padded and height adjustable seating, electric fans and USB charging points.

Moveable plates are provided (with a 3/8″ inch thread) which enable you to screw on a gimbal or ballhead of your own.  Beanbags are also provided in the hide if you do not use a ball/gimbal head.

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Red Squirrel Hide / Affût

This is a woodland edge location with moss covered dry-stone wall, a range of perches and horizontally-laid logs for running and jumping images.  The Squirrels visit mainly on a morning.

This is a canvas two person hide with seating.  You will need to bring a tripod if you wish to utilise this hide.

Given the different distances of the perches at this location a zoom lens (such as a 100-400mm) works well at this hide.

Woodland Bird Hide / Affût 

This is a hide with a view across a large woodland clearing.  There are various perches below hanging feeders (which can be removed if required).  There is also the possibility of passing mammals such as deer and boar at this hide.  The hide receives good light all day and there are excellent opportunities for flight images.

The hide is a two-person permanent hide with one-way mirror glass windows above and a wide slot with hanging camouflage scrim for lenses below.

The hide has comfortable padded and height adjustable seating, electric fans and USB charging points.

Moveable plates are provided (with a 3/8″ inch thread) which enable you to screw on a gimbal or ballhead of your own.  Beanbags are also provided in the hide if you do not use a ball/gimbal head.

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Seasonal Temporary Hides (Affûts)

In addition to the permanent hides below, there are sometimes opportunities for the use of additional temporary hides for species such as Hoopoe and Redstart, if these are operating we will let you know upon your arrival.