A member of the Design Hotels collection, this 17th-century château is now owned by Dutchman Johan Bouman, who has turned this historic residence into a warm refuge where heritage is skilfully heckled by design and contemporary art. A rare and cosy place, conceived as a guest house.
Twenty years ago, Johan Bouman decided to restore the château to its former glory by transforming it into a new kind of refuge. Far from the (very) traditional hotels that are the hallmark of the region, he chose to turn the premises into a lively family home rooted in the times; a house that doesn't eclipse the traces of its history, but mixes them with works of art, pieces of design and pure lines that give it all its modernity.
A successful gamble for this residence, which attracts a growing number of loyal guests every year, seduced by the charm of the premises as much as by its owner's warm welcome. There are no valets or luggage handlers here. You're welcomed by Johan, who accompanies his guests to one of the 10 rooms and suites, divided between the château, the old farmhouse and the janitor's house, which has been converted into a luxurious guest house of some 125 m². All are uniquely decorated - in a classical style with antique sculptures, a loft feel with designer pieces (bathtubs by Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola), and sculpture-like old timbers. All different, the rooms and suites nevertheless have much in common - an ultra-rich Farrow & Ball color palette, palatial bedding and real space (35 m² for the smallest and up to 75 m² for the suites), all opening onto the park and the Rock Growth sculpture by artist Arik Levy.
This contemporary refinement also extends to the Art de Table restaurant, where guests gather for breakfast and dinner to savor the witty cuisine of Brazilian chef Iaman Santos.Iaman Santos Costa, who concocts delicious Burgundian revisited menus and, every Saturday, a more gastronomic score with, as always, local products and a large proportion of vegetables.
Catering to every desire, this is also the motto behind the creation of the wellness area, which includes a fully-equipped gym (exercise bicycles, exercise equipment, etc.).e (exercise bikes, rowing machines), a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bath and treatment and massage cabins by Codage; not forgetting the personalized yoga classes led by coach Valentin Préti. Once you're back in shape, all that's left to do is plan what's next. You can explore the vineyards of Chablis, the surrounding Cistercian churches and the historic center of Auxerre, or you can take your novel and relax in the deckchairs lining the beautiful swimming pool nestling in the gardens. Many choose the second option...
Three questions to Johan Bouman, owner of the château
You acquired Château de la Resle in 2005. How did you go about restoring it?
Johan Bouman: I came to the region in 2005 for a professional project, and fell in love with both Burgundy and the château. I decided to transform it into a hotel in 2010, to bring it back to life and share its beauty, all with conviction. To embark on this type of restoration, which is necessarily very ambitious, you need a real project and a business model. I come from a family very involved in design and architecture, and I chose to play the role of master builder, with the help of local craftsmen. My goal? To design a place that combines the refinement of a luxury hotel with the warmth and intimacy of a guest house.
The space features works of art and design. How did you choose them?
J. B.: I come from an art background and have always had a taste for works and objects. I don't want to build a collection, but to live in the midst of art, in a dialogue between creation and heritage. The architecture of the château has been totally preserved, and it's the art that comes in to shake things up and give the whole place its modernity. I choose the works as I fall in love with them, discovering them in galleries and at contemporary art fairs... The result is a mix of sculptures, photographs, paintings and design objects. I'm very proud of the sculpture by Arik Levy that dominates the park, the chef's open kitchen - a unique piece created by Dutch designer Roderick Vos. Or the works of Italian painter Luigi Salvi.
What are your plans for the coming seasons?
J. B.: I have in mind the rather crazy project of expanding the hotel offer by constructing a more contemporary building in the heart of the park. The idea is to preserve the intimate character of the site, but also to meet the growing demands of our guests. Today, we welcome not only Parisians, but also many Europeans and Americans. A community united around two passions: authentic Burgundy and contemporary art.
These news might interest you
Hotels & Bed & Breakfast
Wine tourism: where to stay along the Loire River
Along the Loire, from Muscadet to the volcanic lands of Auvergne, a selection of wineries to stop off at.
Long weekends, first rays of sunshine... What if it was the right time to escape Paris? Here are ten hotels less than two hours from the capital, for a breath of fresh air without having to go far.
Did you know that the Ritz Paris is featured in over a hundred literary works? Discover all the secrets of this Parisian hotel
Every month, Gault & Millau immerses you in the story of a great Parisian palace. In March, immerse yourself in the story of one of Paris's most luxurious hotels: the Ritz Paris.
Some love it, others shun it (the famous intermittent fasting!) and, for most, it's made up of habits that are hard to break. For many guests, this first meal of the day is the last moment of their stay with a chef. Providing room and board implies that chefs take an interest in it, even if it's often a headache and a real logistical challenge. Meet 3 hotel chefs who go to great lengths to make sure you wake up feeling refreshed.
Maison Heler, Philippe Starck's signature hotel opens in Metz
With its house perched on a building, Maison Heler is unlike any other hotel. Conceived as an "inhabitable, surrealist and literary work of art", this new address intrigues as much as it fascinates. Located in the Architecture district, just a stone's throw from the Centre Pompidou, it is part of the development of the area supported by Hilton. A story of its own, born of a tale imagined by Philippe Starck.
A hotel between heaven and earth
The 9-storey Maison Heler is topped by a house inspired by 19th-century Lorraine architecture. From the 2nd to the 8th floor, the hotel offers 104 sleek rooms and suites. With concrete walls and pink marble, the décor is modern, elegant and poetic. The 9th floor boasts five private lounges, ideal for business events or relaxation, with a breathtaking view of the city.
Two restaurants, two atmospheres
On the first floor, Rose's cuisine takes the form of a romantic brasserie. Open all day, it offers warm, simple cuisine: weekly and seasonal menus, healthy, comforting dishes, and Rose's specialty: the tart of the day. Rose's Bar extends the experience, in a relaxed atmosphere, with cocktails featuring local and floral flavors.
upstairs, La Maison de Manfred has a more subdued feel, with wood and leather furnishings, warm colors, a family dining room and panoramic views over Metz. Artist Ara Starck designed 19 stained-glass windows, including a monumental one, projecting cathedral-like light across the room. French contemporary cuisine is served à la carte or on a five-course menu. The more intimate Bar de Manfred offers a selection of original cocktails, including the M+R - a combination of truffle-infused cognac and cherry - as well as a wide choice of wines.
A world of its own
Maison Heler was inspired by the novel La Vie minutieuse de Manfred Heler , a novel imagined by, to accompany the architectural project. It follows the character of Manfred Heler, an orphan living alone in the family home, who occupies his time by dreaming up all sorts of inventions to escape boredom. One day, the earth begins to shake and his house rises above the city.
The hotel immerses visitors in this poetic universe. Surreal objects, nods to imaginary inventions and unusual details punctuate the spaces between dream and everyday life. An address that offers much more than a simple stay: an immersion in a story of its own.
Price: From 170 euros
Where? 31 Rue Jacques Chirac, 57000 Metz
