Fab 40: Hôtel Ville d'Hiver, Arcachon

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.


www. hotelvilledhiver.com

The Biscuit House by AU*M Architectes Urbanistes, Lyon

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The Biscuit House

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The Biscuit House by Architectes Urbanistes

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The Biscuit House interior

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The Biscuit House inertior

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The Biscuit House bathroom

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Pastries by Camille Lesecq

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Pastries by Camille Lesecq

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Pastries by Camille Lesecq

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Pastries by Camille Lesecq

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Pastries by Camille Lesecq

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Pastries by Camille Lesecq

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Pastries by Camille Lesecq

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Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes

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Lilas Animation Centre in Paris

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Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes

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La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis

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La Grand Place entrance

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La Grand Place interior

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La Grand Place, Musée du Cristal Saint-Louis

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Lilas Animation Centre

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Lilas Animation Centre in Paris by Christian Biecher & Associes

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La Grand Place

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VW House by Franklin Azzi

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VW House

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VW House entrance

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VW House by Franklin Azzi

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VW House interior

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VW House interior

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VW House by Franklin Azzi

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VW House kitchen area

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VW House bedroom

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Ara dress

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Ara dress by Heal Fashion
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Sleeveless Ara dress

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Sleeveless Ara dress by Heal fashion

Ara dress detail

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Ara dress detail by Heal fashion

Baby Horse dress

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Baby Horse dress by Ara fashion

Odysee dress by Ara fashion

Odysee dress

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Odysee dress

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon

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Hotel Ville interior

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver Entrance

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver wash basin

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver interior

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon entrance

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver, Arachon interior

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Hotel Ville bar area

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Hotel Ville d'Hiver dining area

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Das Pop, from Le Mont St Michel

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Das Pop

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Man with electric guitar

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Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

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Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

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Pap Femme, from Le Mont

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Pap Femme, from Le Mont St Michel

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