Homes & Estates

The décor in the dining room dazzles at every turn: first with the pendant crystal cascade of three ornate Windfall chandeliers (one of Denz’s favorite pieces)

the famous panther of René-Jules Lalique’s grand- daughter, Marie-Claude Lalique). The “Hirondelles” suite, adorned in red, was René Lalique’s former study, where he designed many of his iconic pieces, and is perhaps the most representative of French art de vivre, with its corner window and wonderful view over the wide-open spaces of the park. The largest suite, “Masque de Femme” (Mask of a Woman), stretches over two bedrooms and includes a lounge. Inspired by the panel created by René Lalique in 1935, it embodies René-Jules Lalique’s imagination, who was fascinated by women, nature and mythology. Pieces of crystal decorate the bed frames, dressing tables, bedside tables, couches and mirrors in each suite, while period photographs of the villa, René Lalique and the whole family embellish the walls. “Most of the original pieces from the villa are fragile and are exhibited at the Lalique Museum, located five minutes away from the villa,” says Denz. The story of René Lalique unfolds again in the lounge, where the crystal motif continues and fea- tures Lalique’s signature “Femme Ailée” armchairs by Lalique Maison. This is where guests may enjoy a midafternoon cocktail or their favorite book. The pièce de résistance, however, is the Botta-designed restaurant, headed by Chef Jean-Georges Klein. The 40-person restaurant is a showpiece on multiple lev- els. The stage is first set with a majestic black bar, studded with crystal, which includes a hatch opening into the kitchen — where Chef Jean-Georges Klein, previously from three-star Arnsbourg Restaurant in

Lorraine, executes his masterful menus with execu- tive chef Jérôme Schilling, sous chef Michel Scheidler and team. The décor in the dining room dazzles at every turn: first with the pendant crystal cascade of three ornate Windfall chandeliers (one of Denz’s favorite pieces), then with the crystal serviette rings encrusted with pieces of the “Masque de Femme” by Lalique and Christofle and finally with the crystal cruets designed by René Lalique in 1924, with the original salt and pepper grinding mechanisms reimagined by Peugeot. It is obvious every detail has been considered at Villa René Lalique — even the glasses and carafes from the 100 Points range, conceived for Lalique in 2012 by the celebrated American wine critic James Suckling, have also been placed on the table. And yet, the restaurant is not just captivating to the eyes. Like his gorgeous surroundings at Villa René Lalique, Chef Jean-Georges Klein developed a rich and colorful cuisine, full of contrasting looks, tastes and textures. His creative and seasonally in- spired cuisine delights the senses, with dishes ranging from fillet of line-caught bass to marbled foie gras with Mirabelle plum and roast pigeon breast, rounded off with potato cappuccino and truffles. Another space worthy of a visit: the stunning, 60,000-bottle cellar, po- sitioned near the exquisite eternal crystal panels from Lalique and British artist Damien Hirst. The cellar has been lovingly tended by acclaimed head sommelier Romain Iltis, which includes an impressive range of rare vintages wines such as the 1865 Yquem.

Chef Jean-Georges Klein Sommelier Romain Iltis

Since its ceremonious opening in 2015, Villa René Lalique has enjoyed an enthusiastic embrace. Weekends are booked months in advance. From board meetings organized by partner The Macallan to wine-tasting events hosted by Suckling and cel- ebrations for artists like Hirst, the villa has become a destination for the well-heeled in Alsace, Germany, Switzerland and the world, who want to experience the true meaning of French art de vivre and savoir faire. The concept has proved so successful that Denz is planning another collaboration with Lalique and the team of Chef Jean-Georges Klein at the end of 2017: a five-star hotel at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, “one of the few first growth châteaux in Bordeaux and neigh- bor to the famous Château d’Yquem,” he reveals. Denz and his team obviously embody savoir faire themselves, bringing just the right amount of mo- dernity to the old country. It’s this supreme know-how, this French confidence that inspired René-Jules Lalique almost a century ago— and the sophisticated epicures today, who are still enchanted by the great artistic tradi- tions of France’s most treasured hidden pearls. Suites at Villa René Lalique range from 360 euros to over 1,320 euros per night. For more information, visit villarenelalique.com.

DINING ROOM PHOTO ©RETO GUNTLI; CHEF PHOTO ©LIONEL FLUSIN; SOMMELIER PHOTO ©ADELINE WAGNER

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