Everything begins in 1977. Jacques Ferlay, a motorcycle enthusiast, roams the roads of Haute-Loire with a few friends. During an impromptu stop, he discovers Chaudeyrolles, a small village nestled at the foot of Mont Mézenc. It’s love at first sight. The raw beauty of the region, the tranquility of the place… Jacques is determined: he wants to put down his roots there.
For over a year, Jacques strives to integrate himself. With his affable nature and perseverance, bonds are formed: a house is put up for sale. He buys it, carefully restores it, scrupulously respecting local traditions. The slate tiles on the roofs, the regional materials… Everything is done to honor the authenticity of Chaudeyrolles.
Over time, he acquires other houses, undertaking to renovate them one by one. It’s a colossal task, carried out with the invaluable help of his son Bastien. Together, they make considerable efforts to breathe new life into these buildings, sometimes in a state of neglect. The walls come back to life, the roofs are redone, and every detail bears the mark of their commitment to preserving the unique character of the region and Chaudeyrolles.
Jacques is a man of many facets. Passionate about music, he plays the guitar with the soul of a troubadour and finds in melodies a refuge as profound as in the landscapes of Mont Mézenc. In parallel, he embarks several times on the Camino de Santiago, undertaking pilgrimages and making these spiritual journeys a source of strength and inspiration.
Today, at 80 years old, Jacques has had the wisdom and generosity to pass on his heritage to his five children, each receiving a share of this legacy he built with so much work and heart. The inn, a symbol of so many memories and efforts, has been passed on to Fabrice, we will see later why. This gesture, filled with trust and encouragement, marks a new chapter for Jean Le Dindon.
Fabrice’s Childhood: A Bond Forged in the Harshness of an Era
It is in this setting that Fabrice, Jacques’s eldest son, grows up. Although he was not born in Chaudeyrolles, it is there that he spends his youth. A childhood marked by the harshness of the climate: no heating, often absent parents, a closet bed to sleep in. But also a precious freedom. Fabrice explores the surrounding mountains, tames Mont Mézenc, and forges his character. Strong friendships are born with the local youth, discoveries of trades with local artisans like Régis the wheelwright or Jean de la Scie the carpenter. Never stingy with teachings with this creative kid, who constantly tinkered with a piece of wood and iron.
From adolescence, a passion emerges: cooking. Fabrice loves to feed his family, delight his loved ones. At 17, an idea takes root in him: he wants to transform the original building into a restaurant. His skilled hands and his taste for effort allow him to completely renovate the building. The work is titanic, but he is ready.
Then comes the argument. Violent, hurtful, a trifle of the time, but it distances him from his dream of Chaudeyrolles, of the inn. Fabrice leaves everything. Months of wandering begin, a dark period where he nearly loses all bearings.
An Unexpected Rebirth
Fabrice eventually rebuilds himself, helped by kind souls. He changes his path, trains in low-current trades and security, starts a company in IT, sells it, then starts a second one in security. Life seems to have definitively distanced him from Chaudeyrolles.
But that did not account for another turn: his meeting with Caroline. Together, they form a daring couple, ready to take on crazy challenges. It is Caroline who breathes the idea. “What if we relaunched the inn?”…
Jean Le Dindon Inn: A Past to Honor
The inn thrived under Jacques’s management, even after Fabrice’s departure. It was more than a restaurant: it was a living place, where simple and good food was served, where the atmosphere reigned supreme. Laughter, lively evenings, dishes with local accents… All of this still resonates in memories.
And if this past could be reborn, enriched with a modern touch and refined expertise? Fabrice decides to train at the École Ducasse, a reference in the world of gastronomy. Armed with this diploma, he returns to his first love: cooking.
April 2025: The Renewal
After months of preparation, the countdown begins. In 120 days, Jean Le Dindon Inn will reopen its doors. With a promise: to honor the convivial soul of the place while bringing in a cuisine that is both local and inspired, reflecting the values of Fabrice, his father, and the École Ducasse where the future Chef was trained.
The return of Jean Le Dindon is not just a reopening: it’s a rebirth. A human adventure, an ode to perseverance, and an invitation to rediscover Chaudeyrolles at its best.
See you in April 2025 to write together this new chapter of history.
