Testimony. He lives in a self-contained cabin in the middle of nature

As soon as the car is parked, the chickens run to meet you. The goats stretch their heads and further away in an enclosure the donkeys are observing. To get to the Antonni area, you have to take a small road somewhere on the causse. “I live in my cabin, come follow me. » All in wood, discreet and sober, it looks like a little house on the prairie.

“I built it with a friend,” says Antonni. “I have 25 m² interior space and a 12 m² mezzanine.” There is also a pantry where a dry toilet, shower and washing machine are located. The house is autonomous with these solar panels. On overcast days, a generator takes over to recharge the batteries. To fill his water tanks, Antonni goes by tractor to the village spring. Soon, he will be able to collect water from the roof to water the vegetable garden.

Three months of construction, 10,000 euros of material and a lot of recovery

Here, Antonni favored resourcefulness, recovery and good tips. “I didn't have a precise plan, just the idea of ​​a 5x5m that I traced on the ground,” he explains. “For the structure, I went to a sawmill that sold batches of large wood. With a friend, we cut oak trees in the field. For the exterior cladding, I used unedged board, it costs almost nothing. For the interior cladding and flooring, a friend had found a cut of wood and had a mobile sawmill come over. I collected all the doors and windows,” Antonni continues. “For insulation: wool from sheep shearing, straw from a neighboring farmer and clay at €6/m3, it’s not expensive! »

It took Antonni less than three months to finalize the layout of the cabin. “It was a great adventure,” he confides. “My goal was to show that we can do things differently! For me, it was healthier to spend my time building my cabin than to work every morning to entrust the site to a contractor. I realized myself in this construction which is consistent with my values. If I were to leave, there would be no trace of my presence.”

This type of housing is sufficient for Antonni who lives with his daughter in shared custody. “I built it for me. With three, it would be fairer,” he confides. “My daughter is turning thirteen, we may need to make changes. » In the meantime, the little family feels good in their little cocoon in the heart of nature. “We sleep with the window open and we can hear owls and foxes! »

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A life project focused on food autonomy and connected to nature

At 44 years old, it has now been a few years since Antonni left Belgium for the Lot. “The initial plan was to move into light housing with my partner to move towards food and energy autonomy.” On this 5 hectare plot of meadow and woods, donkeys, goats and pigs ensure maintenance. “I needed consistency in relation to all this consumer heresy in which we live. I couldn't stand the metro work/sleep rhythm. Before, I was a salesperson! » Antonni can no longer find his way and burns out. “Through my work, I realized that we were depleting the planet's resources at a rapid rate. Until the day I trained as a nature guide which opened my eyes to the fall in biodiversity. It was the most beautiful period of my life, I was able to settle down and discover autonomy. I have always been attracted to agriculture and simplicity but I didn't dare! Crossing the threshold is not easy. But when you discover Pierre Rabhi, you tell yourself that everything is possible! »

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Earthship: this bioclimatic and autonomous house was built with the recovery of 850 tires and the help of 300 people!

Antonni is happy, even if he recognizes that it is not always easy. “We have to take care of the animals every day and there are the vagaries of the weather! But if I have to do it again, I'll go for it! »