Some people dream of living in a real royal palace. Do not ask about the origins of this desire, but it is there - and many people have it. Well, Airelles hoteliers (LOV GROUP), a French chain that owns several hotels for discerning clients in Courchevel, Saint-Tropez, Val d'Isère, Gordes, have offered a solution for those who want to feel like a member of the royal family. Airelles Chateau de Versailles became the first hotel located on the territory of Versailles.
Hotel Airelles Chateau de Versailles is adjacent to the south wing of the Palace of Versailles. Image source: airelles.com
The complex built by the Grand Contrôle was built in 1681. Image source: airelles.com
Initially, Versailles, the famous palace and park ensemble, created by architects Louis Levault, Jules Ardouin-Mansard and genius gardener Andre Lenotre, even before it became the official residence of Louis XIV, had the status of a country royal house. The three-story Le Grand Contrôle complex, located in the entrance area of the palace, was built in 1681 by Jules Ardouin-Mansart for Paul de Beauvilliers, Duke of Saint-Aignan, and during the era of the Sun King, it was bought to house the Ministry of Finance.
In the middle of the 2004th century, the building was handed over to the army, until XNUMX it housed the canteen for officers, and by that time it was very dilapidated. The French government decided to turn the former canteen into an expensive hotel and handed over the complex to the LOV GROUP concession. The project was entrusted to the architect and designer Christoph Tollemer, who specializes in the creation of premium class objects. His task was to create a "time capsule", conveying the spirit of the era of the Bourbon dynasty.
Du Grand Contrôle needed repair and restoration. Image source: airelles.com
Sketch by Christophe Tollemer for the Airelles Chateau de Versailles project. Image source: christophe-tollemer.com
Sketch by Christophe Tollemer for the Airelles Chateau de Versailles project. Image source: christophe-tollemer.com
For four years, Christoph Tollemer studied the archives of Versailles, the personal stylistic preferences of Louis XVI, and the interiors of Petit-Trianon.
The hotel rooms were furnished with antique furniture, decorated with works of art and artifacts of the 35th century. Wooden carved panels were made according to sketches of the same era, and the textile supplier was the Maison Pierre Frey factory and the Royal Manufactory in Aubusson. All modern gadgets and equipment were carefully camouflaged, which also required considerable skill. Reconstruction of the building and interior design cost a round sum exceeding XNUMX million euros.
The hotel rooms were furnished with antique furniture, decorated with works of art and artifacts of the XNUMXth century. Image source: airelles.com
The hotel windows offer a view of the gardens of Versailles. Image source: airelles.com
All details convey the spirit of the era of the Bourbon dynasty. Image source: airelles.com
So, the new Airelles Chateau de Versailles, or as it is called in some guides, Le Grand Controle includes 14 rooms, Alain Ducasse's signature restaurant, a health center and an indoor pool. And yet royal interiors, high-class cuisine and spa procedures are not the main advantages of the new hotel. The main thing is that hotel guests get the opportunity to explore Versailles during non-working hours in the absence of noisy tourists, and also have access to locations that are usually closed. And the possibility of private tours of the greenhouse and French gardens.
Hotel guests will be able to walk around the territory of Versailles in a time free from tourists. Image source: airelles.com
Exclusive impressions are the main feature of the hotel. Taking into account the rich context, 1300 euros per night does not seem like such a high price.