Villa – Saint-Martin / île de Ré
Atlantic Coast, France
Restoration of a former convent
into a residence of exception
in an island village
listed by UNESCO
Delivery : 2008
Challenge, heritage and emotion
Although the old stones of the building remain the basis of this restoration, the internal and external metamorphosis
required enormous work. To bring more light to the ground floor for example, it was necessary to excavate
the entrance courtyard, enlarge the windows and raise the ceiling from 2.10 m to 2.70 m.
The stunning result would not have been achieved without the traditional know-how and the close attention to quality
of the numerous craftsmen who were passionately involved in this project...
The passion for working with stone,
marble, wrought iron, weathered wood...,
the attention to detail and functionality
and the taste for high quality decoration
combine harmoniously.
Inventive and audacious, chic and authentic, the decoration respects the origins and tranquility of the site.
The vaulted cellar of majestic proportions,
has been accentuated. It is reached by a stone staircase
secured by an elegant glass cage.
The staircase, the central piece of this residence, is set off
by a made-to-measure wrought iron handrail,
welded on site.
Each of the 5 bedrooms
has its own theme,
each detail enhances its style,
and imposes its personality.
Between these walls dating from the XVIIth and XVIII th centuries,
the exceptional construction and high quality decoration
is hidden a range of impressive
high-tech equipment, from underfloor air-conditioning
to sound and multimedia, perfectly
dispersed throughout the whole house.
...and the magic of automation
operates with discretion and surprise.
Grounds surrounded by old walls,
a property preciously protected from prying eyes..
Each area of the grounds, each plant, each decorative element gives the impression of being in perfect harmony
with its surroundings … as though it has always been there.
Old stone fountains, lines of stone water troughs fed by canon gargoyles
live in perfect harmony with contemporary furnishings, pool and jaccuzi
The serenity of the location lets you easily forget that you are in fact in the town centre, a short distance from the port,
the view of the clock tower of Saint-Martin is there to remind us.
