"Best mountain sunsets we've ever seen. Right above the French Broad River. Perfect base camp for Asheville brewery & nature adventures" - Robby
Commanding the ridge top with panoramic mountain views of Pisgah and Mitchell ranges, you'll be immersed in the serenity and beauty of Western NC with all the metropolitan amenities of nearby Asheville and Weaverville. Feel the nature howling to your wild soul.
Lush mountain beauty with luxury and comfort. So close to the river and downtown" – Denise
The space
Stay Wild on this Private 13 Acre Property!
LIVING SPACES:
“Really neat modern moody cabin vibe on a huge property with beautiful views. Was a great place to stay during our Biltmore Gardens tours. Can’t wait to come back in the Fall!” – Cheryl
Welcome to the FOXY FRENCH Chalet!
Asheville is known as the "Paris of the South" for good reason and Foxy French is the perfect basecamp for you to explore both Asheville's culture and the wild natural beauty of this decadent section of the Southern Appalachians. Part of an adaptive re-use and habitat and forestry restoration program under the larger Sandy Mush Conservation Program, this property is a unique experience in one of the few remaining undeveloped areas of greater Asheville.
You’ll pause before you even open the door and take in the sound of the local mountain song birds and fauna while feeling the refreshment of the prevailing southwesterly breeze blowing out of the river gorge.
When you do head inside, you’ll notice the playful and vibrant Western NC décor. The professionally curated art will invoke seasonal memories of your favorite past adventures from some of the most unique and diverse landscapes in the American Southeast.
The expansive windows will keep you connected to the outdoors throughout and you’ll enjoy year-round natural light and nature views from nearly the entire space. The seasons provide an ever-changing menu of natural delights as the deer and turkey often walk within feet of the Chalet during the Spring & the Winter sunsets are absolutely sublime; especially with a fresh blissful white backdrop of fresh snow on the meadow and evergreens. Regardless of the season and your preferred adventures, the space is configured for your social zen to flow in and out from the open floor plan living and dining space to the vast ridge-top meadow, outdoor river rock fire pit, and all of the expansive mountain lands Western NC and Asheville have to offer. Your group will stay cozy without ever losing touch with the natural world.
Have kids or need some privacy within your group? The master bedroom has an attached open secondary living space with its own fireplace and that can be used to create a separate living room within the space if that’s your thing. Checkers in one room and a movie in the other...
Comforts of the inside include a smart streaming television with all of your favorite apps ready for login, multiple fireplaces, and enough cozy reading and relaxation nooks to accommodate your entire party.
“The French Fox theme is so cute. … My yoga gurlies loved all the neon lights... The open grassy green at the top of the ridge is great for an impromptu group yoga sesh too with that amazing view!” – Beth
KITCHEN & DINING:
Fully Stocked Kitchen
Keurig & Drip Combo Coffee Station
In the kitchen, the views of the waving blue stem grasses, luxe purple flowers, and mature oaks make every meal prep a pleasure. You’ll stay connected with the fresh mountain air and socializing with the easily accessible side door leading out to the fire pit and outdoor adirondack chairs. The numerous song birds right outside the kitchen windows will keep you entertained as you wait on that fresh coffee to brew or the next round of drinks to blend. You will want to grab your first cup of coffee in time to decide whether to mosey up the driveway to watch the Appalachian sunrise from the tip top of the ridge or enjoy the seasonal colors of mother nature’s paint brush break up the early morning mountain mist from the indoor comforts of the chalet. The river rock gabion outdoor fire pit is quintessential Appalachians and a steady reminder of the iconic French Broad flowing at the base of the driveway. Be prepared to stretch out as the Foxy French Chalet sits on roughly 13 acres and is surrounded primarily by protected and undeveloped mountain land flanking either side of the French Broad river gorge.
“…Family made some great memories here on vacation. So glad we found this place … really special and fun. We will 100% be back next year and be bringing an even bigger group to float the river” - Kristen
BEDROOMS /SLEEPING OPTIONS
The master suite is spacious and boasts a king memory foam bed in addition to the attached living space with a luxurious leather day bed and fireplace. Relax and reflect on the beauty of life as you enjoy breakfast in bed while overlooking the spacious ridge-top meadow without another home in view. There’s also a memory foam trundle bed for larger groups and families. Conjure up the fireplaces with the push of a button and let your worries and city stress melt away while you collapse into the luxurious mattress and enjoy the views.
The second bedroom boasts a queen memory foam bed and includes a private creative work space. Perfect for guests seeking some solitude to work or capture their creative ventures while on vacation with a larger group.
OUTDOOR:
“…The outdoor vibe was really special. We were outside after dark every night enjoying the stars and fire. Sometimes later than we probably should have been! ..Usually you have to drive forever to the middle of nowhere to get that kind of privacy but this place was close to everything we wanted to do in Asheville…Fantastic trip all around and we'll 100% be back” – Christina
Last but certainly not least:
You’ll likely spend as much time as possible reveling in the panoramic mountain views and engaging the outdoor spaces both day and night. Hike the surrounding ridge-top. Float down the shallow inviting French Broad River. Cast a line for smallmouth bass in one of the best sections of the Bailey Bend section of fishery. Be the wild thing you came to Asheville to let loose and discover all the local beauty and nuance of the surrounding nature and French Broad micro-environment.
While you’re at the house, there is a covered awning perfect for shaded summer lounging as well as cozy blizzard viewing in the winter. The metal roofs produce the iconic ever sought after symphony of relaxing rain drop acoustics during storms. Don’t worry though; you'll can see the clouds approaching all the way from Tennessee with these views and have plenty of time to get cozy with a book and beverage before the first rain drop falls. Be sure and look-up every night before heading inside for a charming finale of some of the best star-gazing in Western NC.
“...Such awesome views and so great to have so much space and privacy that close to downtown Asheville” - Thomas
-Downtown Asheville - 23 mins
-Downtown Weaverville (Grocery/Retail/Entertainment/Restaurants/Highway) - 12 mins
-Blue Ridge Parkway (East of Downtown Weaverville; Via Rheems Creek & Ox Creek Roads) - 22 mins
-Biltmore Estate - 27 Mins
DRIVEWAY: The driveway is a relatively gentle slope and very gradual by local standards. We understand not all guests are accustomed to gravel and/or mountain driveways. Please know that small cars (ie. Prius and similar) have no issue with the driveway under normal weather conditions. There is a widened shoulder and parking area halfway up the driveway should there be inclement weather or you for any reason feel more comfortable parking “down the hill.”
PRIVACY: The property is innately very serene located on it's own private ridge-top . Please respect this serenity and privacy for the neighbors living on adjacent ridge-tops and maintain respectful noise levels; especially at night.
*Please note the property is situated close to a flowing rocky river and is located on mountainous terrain with some steep slopes. Please ensure your party is comfortable swimming/wading and any recreational water activities you plan to engage in and appropriately fit and prepared for hiking any rugged terrain or this property may not be a good fit for your needs.
Guest access
Guests have access to the entire property to include the whole north end of the ridge-top, ongoing trail system network, and trail/driveway access down to Walnut Island River Park. Please use common sense if any forestry/conservation or other construction/improvements work is being conducted around the property and allow contractors appropriate space for your safety. No work will be ongoing in the immediate vicinity of Foxy French Chalet during your stay. Our team is committed to the expansion of this restoration and habitat conservation program and there are future plans to expand both the forestry/habitat management as well as additional lodging experiences so check back in for future offerings for larger groups!
Other things to note
Please remember this is a home; not a hotel. The house is stocked with supplies as advertised but if you anticipate spending substantial time at the house or staying for several days, you will need to bring supplies the same as any vacation rental.
The host is available for issues as needed and 100% committed to your party enjoying a 5-star experience but if you are accustomed to a hotel concierge-style culture responding to cursory impulsive needs, this property may not be a good fit for you.
The property includes a dedicated creativity nook for the remote worker or artist seeking to balance vacation with work time. This space is in the second bedroom and can be closed off from the remainder of the chalet for privacy and focus.