“L’aventure sur la paille” is the name of an association of Swiss farmers who have provided rustic accommodation for passing tourists for over ten years. There are a dozen such farms along EuroVelo 6, all of which offer bunkhouse accommodation in barns or stables, together with showers, toilets and a copious breakfast.

The Mahrer’s farm, near Möhlin, is a family business in which the father, mother and son all help out in the fields and dairy, which produces 700 litres of milk per day.

After a warm welcome from Reguthe Mahrer, I am shown my kingdom for the night: a small barn with indoor shower and toilet – pure luxury. A much larger stable has been converted into accommodation for groups, school children and large families. For Reguthe and her family, it is a way of diversifying their business from May to October. For passing cyclists, it is a taste of rural life with its chores, its smells and its tastes.

“In general, cycle tourists are inquisitive people who are truly interested in finding out how our farm works. It is really pleasant to talk with them”, says Reguthe Mahrer, as she waits for a late-arriving cyclist from Berlin.

In the morning, after a peaceful night, we meet at the breakfast table and share a copious breakfast of delicious farmhouse products: cheese, yoghurt and jam.

www.aventure-sur-la-paille.com (cf. slide show)