he family home
The story of the Manos family home began in 1927, when Jules Manos purchased this large house located in the hamlet of Indrieux, in Arandas. A farmer by trade, he also ran a café there, located in what are now the bedrooms of the Sheep Cottage. Together with his wife, they raised their six children in a house filled with agricultural life and the daily gatherings of the village.
After his death, the property was divided between two of his children, including the eldest, Gaston Manos, who gradually bought back his brothers’ and sisters’ shares in order to keep the farm and part of the family home together. Gaston continued the farming activity and passed on his passion to his own children, two of whom later settled on the farm. In 1976, the GAEC Les Perce Neige was created by Gaston, Gilles, and Guy Manos, marking a new chapter in the family’s agricultural history. After Gaston’s death, the part of the house he owned was divided between three of his children, each with their own apartment. In 1997, Gilles Manos passed on his share to his son Lionel Manos, continuing the family story within this home full of memories. On April 1st, 2025, Lionel and his wife Emily also purchased the part of the house that came from the first family division and had once been inherited by Gaston’s sister. This marked the beginning of an ambitious adventure: bringing the house back together and giving it a new life. A former industrial designer, Emily created and drew the renovation plans. Lionel carried out a large part of the demolition and clearing work himself. Local companies also took part throughout the renovation, while the finishing touches and decoration were entirely imagined by Emily and Lionel, with the desire to preserve the authentic and welcoming soul of this traditional Bugey home. The teams at Gîtes de France supported them with administrative procedures and renovation advice. The support of the GAEC partners, as well as the backing of Crédit Agricole, also played an essential role: without their trust and financial support, this project would never have been possible. In just one year, the house found a new life and today has become the cottages of Amédée’s Sheep Cottage. Through this project, Emily and Lionel wish to share their passion for their region, introduce visitors to agricultural life, family know-how, and the beauty of the Bugey countryside
