Chapter 3: The Petite French Influence
We're sharing the French inspiration that made us want to create a place where groups can escape normal life.
There’s a 20-second loop that runs through my head whenever I’m trying to reground in the inspiration for Petite Acres.
It goes like this: The swaying grass dances in the sun in the south of France as I run my fingers through it on our evening stroll. As we passed a pond where a swan claimed permanent residence, a chef in a crisp, white coat walked towards the herb garden with a pair of kitchen sheers in his hands.
And this little déjà vu represents the tiny French influence you’ll find across the property.
We were staying at a property near Saint-Émilion for my husband’s (and co-creator of Petite Acres) milestone birthday. We were in the early stages of mapping out our acreage, so any experience that inspired us with a unique feeling or overwhelming hospitality gave us something new to put on the proverbial Pinterest board.
While we don’t have any intention to adopt a swan - they’re actually as fierce as they are beautiful - the thing we took away from the French trip was the way we felt: transported to somewhere outside of the time that everyday life touches.
We’ll bring touches of this feeling to petite acres by amplifying the influence of a few features.
The calming presence of nature:
The first thing we were struck by when we toured the property that would become Petite Acres for the first time was the prevalence of oak trees that have seen more years on this planet than anyone I know. For so many of our guests, they’ll be taking a few days away from an urban environment. Our team is focused on maintaining the trees on the property for a sense of serenity.
Not only do the trees provide an incredible canopy, they also bring along with them actual health benefits. “Spending time around trees reduces stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and improves mood,” The USDA shared, quoting a study by The University of Michigan which showed that just 20 minutes in nature—even if it’s simply gardening, doing yardwork or sitting quietly in the backyard—can significantly lower stress hormone levels.
Pull up a seat in our outdoor living room around a firepit:
I’ve spent hours of my life - probably weeks in total - looking into a fire while telling stories, making s’mores, or just sitting with friends and family. There’s a reason why we’re drawn to sit around campfires in groups - studies have shown a reduction in blood pressure for those sitting in the presence of a campfire.
And with the exception of the scary stories that may be shared in the presence of a campfire, sitting around a fire in a group has an evolutionary effect of making us feel safe.
As the child of a firefighter, I feel obligated to share that the firepits will be built to be safe and controlled. OK, dad?
Supporting Group travel:
We created a lot of the amenities at Petite Acres with group travel in mind. Whether our guests are on our grounds for a wedding, a corporate event, a wellness retreat, or they’re gathering with a group in a different way, we want them to leave feeling more connected than when they arrived.
That’s why the suites on the property are grouped in a village, why the gym we’re building is designed to sweat together (but will also be great for solo workouts), and why weddings are designed to book for a full weekend instead of just a few hours.
Want to learn more about how we’re building for experiences at Petite Acres:
We’re building partnerships in the wedding and events space now. Email Jeana@Petiteacres.com if you’d like to explore or if you have ideas.
As we finalize our fundraise, we’re continuing to explore southwest Michigan - send us your favorite places to visit in the region. Hidden gems, restaurants, gardens, state parks! We love it all!
Want to hear more about the project? Justin and I would love to chat with you.