Crédits : Charlène Campos. Translation: Jill Harry. Photos: Jean-Baptiste Delerue, Alexia Hainaut
Interview
Domaine Les Crayères
It dates back 25 years, when I was Manager of the Hostellerie La Briqueterie, a Relais & Châteaux in Vinay. For me, Domaine Les Crayères was already a local and international institution.
Quite simply, respect for the past. It is not about transforming the Domaine into the umpteenth international hotel, with neither body nor soul. Since 1904, the Château has welcomed, celebrated, honoured, and served guests with excellence: let us continue while enhancing it to meet the 21st century requirements. Using the same ironwork as in 1904, a new glass “verrière” has just been completed to rebalance the architecture and bring more light into Madame Polignac’s private dining-room in the legendary Salle Boisée. The gardens will also be redesigned to comply with archives dating back to 1894, while honouring the past and offering a historic, rural stroll for guests staying or dining here.
More than just additional rooms, we offer a haven of peace and delicacy. This will mean creating two new villas, L’Orangerie and La Folie, in the Mansart style. The first will provide four suites, 80 sqm each, with private gardens. The second one, La Folie, could be divided into three suites with direct access to the lake. Then, the spa with a roof of greenery, opening out to its infinity pool, will have an architectural impact as slight as possible on the Domaine. We aim to preserve and nurture the spirit of this unique legacy that has been entrusted to us for a time.
The aim is to nourish the property’s soul without distorting it. Extending the Restaurant Le Parc** by creating its winter garden will not add any new seats, but more delicacy and natural light. Inspired by exotic 19th-century lounges, the new Chinese salon off-sets the intimacy of the Bar La Rotonde where relaxation and elegance are the key words.
It is all rather intangible. Its setting on a hill listed as a UNESCO’s World Heritage site already makes it totally unique. Our neighbours are top-notch Champagne houses such as Ruinart, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot and Pommery. Then there is the park, designed by Édouard André. Neither its decoration nor sophistication makes the property so special: it is rather the feeling of stepping inside a home where sincere care ensures a unique experience. For over 40 years, Domaine Les Crayères has shone for its close, intuitive bonds with its guests.
I would like it to remain a global reference in the art of hospitality. If we succeed, we will have remained loyal to the Domaine’s spirit, and everyone, at each level, will have fulfilled their mission. Ultimately, it means stepping up to the task. We are not trying to leave an “imprint” but to be respectful purveyors of the art of hospitality, instigators of profound feelings. This is the very essence of our work here today.
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