There are places that resemble those who inhabit them. For Thierry Lhermitte, this refuge is far from the film sets, at the heart of a department that he cherishes for its silence, ruggedness, and raw beauty: Cantal. At 73 years old, the actor known for Le Dîner de Cons and Le Père Noël est une ordure has chosen to anchor himself in an almost timeless setting, a corner of the countryside where days pass by to the rhythm of horses and forest paths.
He wanted this retreat intensely. He even dreamed of it, as he admitted to France Info, mentioning this somewhat obsessive search for a place that combines three essential elements: meadows, trees, and water. A combination rarer than one might imagine. Finding a piece of land that has all of this was almost a challenge.
Thierry Lhermitte opens the doors of his house
And yet, the actor eventually stumbled upon a place that matched exactly what he had imagined, to the point of referring to it as a “survivalist fantasy”. Far from everything, in an untouched and wild nature, he lives a deliberately simple daily life: “very isolated, very calm, and very beautiful,” he shared with Gala, happy to have found this corner of France where nobody comes by chance.
This setting is not just a backdrop: it is also the center of Thierry Lhermitte’s other passion, horse ethology. The actor trains horses, but above all, he shares his knowledge. In Charente-Maritime, he leads workshops to learn to communicate with the animals differently, with finesse, observation, and patience. In front of France 3 cameras, he enthusiastically explained how attentive horses are to human attitudes: “All they have to do is watch us,” he said with humor, adding that a horse quickly understands when a human being can express a clear request.
A place that showcases his passion for horses
This rural life starkly contrasts with his early days in the Parisian tumult, but the actor claims to have no regrets. In La Tribune du dimanche, he revealed that his loved ones may have preferred to see him take a more conventional path. But as a young man, he only followed his desires: “It was my decision,” he recalls, reminiscing about his first odd jobs, from courier to stagehand, before finally embracing the stage.
Today, this stone haven nestled in a magnificent landscape offers him what fame never did: absolute tranquility. A place in his image, discreet, sincere, and deeply rooted in nature.
