Thomas Cherbonnel

Aurelio Gaëer is about to officially take over Hotel Le Ranch in Brûlon (Sarthe) in a few days. He will succeed Jean Lemoro, who created this unique place in late 2022, which immerses us in the universe of the United States and cowboys.

This handover is first and foremost the story of an encounter between two men. Originally from Amiens, Aurelio Gaëer crossed paths with Jean Lemoro for the first time in 2013, when he was on a stay with his parents at the Indian camp Tipis du Bonheur de Vivre.

A First Meeting with Jean Lemoro over 10 Years Ago

In 2015, the family returned to the Indian camp for a second stay. “That year, Jean presented his trip that he organized in Montana (United States). I let myself be carried away by the desire to participate in this trip,” Aurelio said.

But at the age of 18, Aurelio had to be convincing for Jean Lemoro to agree to take him. The latter had been put off by previous experiences with young people that didn’t necessarily go well. “It’s not a tourist trip where we party,” the young man pointed out.

A Memorable Encounter with the Native Americans

In 2018, just after graduating with a degree in game design, Aurelio flew to Montana with Jean Lemoro and other participants.

The meeting with the Native Americans was particularly memorable for Aurelio. Throughout the excursion, the two men had the opportunity to exchange about Tipis.

One day, at the end of a dinner, Bertha, a member of the adoptive family of Jean Lemoro, said to him, “This young man (Editor’s Note: Aurelio), you have to take care of him, he can do great things,” Jean Lemoro recounted.

Aurelio Gaëer Worked at the Tipis

Was this a premonitory sentence? In 2019, Aurelio started working at the Tipis, the year the camp offered two big Indian Legends shows. “It was perfect because I was looking for someone who had expertise in social networks, photos, and videos,” Jean Lemoro noted.

The Picardy native worked at the Indian camp until 2021. He left the Tipis to “live other experiences.” He underwent training in communication and spent several months in Australia.

While job hunting upon his return to France, he learned that Jean Lemoro needed help. As a couple was supposed to take over the Tipis, the sale fell through at the last moment. Jean had to hastily build a team to prepare for the 2025 season. For Aurelio, this new experience was “a bit of a rebirth.”

“An atmosphere, an ambiance, a theme that I cherish”

As the Tipis were taken over in August 2025, the adventure ended for Aurelio at the end of the season. It is at this moment that the idea of taking over Le Ranch began to germinate.

The 30-year-old sees this as “an opportunity” to “stay in an atmosphere, an ambiance, a theme that I cherish.”

Jean Lemoro has already started the handover process with his successor. “He is in my school. In terms of tourism, I have been and continue to pass on the tricks of the trade to him. But he already has qualities in him that are welcoming,” said the one who is about to pass on the torch.

“I can only be satisfied to have someone I trained who also has additional, complementary skills. This allows us to give new energy to the hotel, which is already progressing but I think will develop even further thanks to Aurelio.”

What Projects?

Aurelio will maintain the spirit of the place. This year will be dedicated to “discovering a full season.”

In the long run, he would like to “reinvest in some areas of the Ranch.” He also aims to attract more passersby.

“This will involve slightly more thematic days, whether for Western, country in high season, and in low season, rather the Native American summer,” he said.

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