Transforming a 19th-cenutry water factory into a luxurious boutique hotel is no easy feat, but seasoned hoteliers Olivier and Nathlaene Arnoux have made it look effortless with their Arcachon-based bolthole in southwestern France.
Opting to ‘do it themselves’ rather than fork out for costly interior designers, the recession-savvy couple sourced many of the hotel’s materials in Europe, including the French stone used on the exterior and the Spanish ceramic found underfoot in the lobby. The result is a spectacular conversion that certainly tickles our French fancy, with twelve well-appointed bedrooms boasting sleek, contemporary interiors, an on-site restaurant serving exquisite French classics and an in-house spa offering steamy sessions in the Moroccan hammam.
British touches are evident throughout, with luscious licks of Farrow & Ball paint, fabulous fabric by Mary Fox Linton, and occasional tweed, too, making something of a comeback. Built in 1884, the property hasn’t lost any of its original charm, either; authentic features have been kept, painstakingly restored and then recycled, such as the water tank, now flanked by crisp blue-and-white seating and used as a gorgeous al fresco swimming pool.
Fab 40: Hôtel Ville d’Hiver, Arcachon
The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes
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The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes, Lyon
The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes, Lyon
The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes, Lyon

The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes, Lyon
The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes, Lyon

Pastries by Camille Lesecq
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Pastries by Camille Lesecq
Pastries by Camille Lesecq
Pastries by Camille Lesecq
Pastries by Camille Lesecq
Pastries by Camille Lesecq
Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes
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Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes
Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes
La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis
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La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis
La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis
Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes
La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis
La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis
La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis

La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis
VW House by Franklin Azzi
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VW House by Franklin Azzi
VW House by Franklin Azzi
VW House by Franklin Azzi
VW House by Franklin Azzi
VW House by Franklin Azzi
VW House by Franklin Azzi

VW House by Franklin Azzi

Ara dress by Heal Fashion
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Sleeveless Ara dress by Heal fashion

Ara dress detail by Heal fashion

Baby Horse dress by Ara fashion

Odysee dress by Ara fashion

Odysee dress by Ara fashion
Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon
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Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon

Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon

Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon
Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon

Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon

Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon
Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon
Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon

Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon
Hotel Ville d’Hiver, Arachon
Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel
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Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel
Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel
Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel
Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel
Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel
Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel
Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel
Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel
Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel
Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel
Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel
Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel
Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel
Musée International de la Parfumerie, Grasse
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Musée International de la Parfumerie, Grasse

Musée International de la Parfumerie, Grasse
Musée International de la Parfumerie, Grasse

The debut collection by Moustache
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The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache
The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache

The debut collection by Moustache
Nomiya Restaurant, Palais Tokyo, Paris
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Nomiya Restaurant, Palais Tokyo, Paris

Nomiya Restaurant, Palais Tokyo, Paris
Nomiya Restaurant, Palais Tokyo, Paris
The Hemera by PGO Automobiles
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The Hemera by PGO Automobiles
The Hemera by PGO Automobiles
The Hemera by PGO Automobiles
The Hemera by PGO Automobiles
Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay
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Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay
Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay
Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay
Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay
Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay
Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay
Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay
Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay

Borrowed Treasures by Philippe Rahm at the Musee d’Orsay
Les Thermes Marins de Cannes
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Les Thermes Marins de Cannes
Les Thermes Marins de Cannes
Les Thermes Marins de Cannes
Les Thermes Marins de Cannes