Les Tilleuls, Étretat's other treasure...

Lydia Bacrie | 10/26/23

Away from the flow of tourists, but barely 300 meters from the sea and the town's mythical cliffs, this still confidential place offers its guests the charm of an 18th-century family home, refined and full of poetry. Without doubt one of the finest addresses on the Normandy coast.

Lovers of Étretat never tire of extolling its charms - its immense beach and Belle Époque villas - its white chalk cliffs and the Aiguille creuse, which holds the famous treasure beloved of Maurice Leblanc. On the other hand, only insiders know that the town conceals another nugget: the Maison des Tilleuls, nestled just 300 metres from the sea. This address, as refined as it is confidential, is today the property of Camille Gersdorff, daughter of Belgian hoteliers, who fell in love with this 18th-century house, which is accessed via a lime-shaded driveway. Anxious to preserve the spirit of the place, she has turned it into a delightfully timeless oasis, blending old terracotta floor tiles and oak parquet, antique furniture and flowery curtains for the rooms. and flowery curtains for the first floor rooms - a library flanked by a cosy lounge opening onto a sunny terrace. This atmosphere also infuses the rooms and suites on the upper floors: five cozy, refined refuges with free-standing bathtubs, Empire-style wardrobes and toile de Jouy headboards, echoing the wisteria flowers that light up the balconies.

An ideal place to dream and recharge your batteries, as Camille Gersdorff intends to offer much more than just a roof over your head for the night. To make the pleasure complete, she has reserved the surprise of a real cinema where you can watch the great classics (a collection of some 300 DVDs) or the latest season of your favorite series. A favorite with relaxation fans, it also offers one- to three-day retreats combining seances of yoga, pilates and meditation, interspersed with walks along the cliffs, under the guidance of a team of top-level coaches. Meals on offer are vegetarian, but Camille, assisted by David Zamia - hotel manager and cook extraordinaire - also concocts tapas, seafood platters and menus on request for her guests. Not to mention delicious picnic baskets (just reward after climbing the cliffs!). And that's not all, as every morning the house serves up a breakfast to die for: still-warm breads and pastries, yoghurts, butter and organic jams straight from the neighboring farm, eggs, ham and local cheeses. Last but not least, this rare address can also be privatized, for gatherings with family or friends...

Camille Gersdorff, owner and manager

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In 2018, you decided to embark on this adventure on a whim. What attracted you to Les Tilleuls?

I immediately loved the place, its charm, its history... This townhouse, built in 1738, is emblematic of the city. It was one of the first in Étretat, and was surrounded by simple fishermen's cottages. Today, it's still the only one with such a vast garden, so close to the beach. I also quickly saw the potential of the house, which had been extensively restored by the previous owners. I added a personal touch by rearranging certain spaces, but I wanted to retain the idea of a well-kept secret. A place out of time, but also in tune with the times.

How would you define your sense of hospitality?

I worked for a long time in the hotel business, in Shanghai and New York in particular, in palaces with several hundred rooms, very luxurious but always impersonal. With Les Tilleuls, I chose to retain the codes of luxury in terms of service, but my desire was really to create another type of space, more intimate, closer, more benevolent. Customers appreciate this. They appreciate the quality of our services, but above all they like the family home feel, with the tailor-made experiences we offer: a large table d'hôtes for conversation, painting or cooking workshops, but also yoga, pilates and meditation retreats... On the other hand, no spa. The English Channel is just 300 m away, and we think there's nothing more invigorating than a dip in the sea!

You're getting ready to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Les Tilleuls next summer. What are your plans for the future?

First and foremost, we want to refine and enrich what's already been put in place. We're going to increase the number of events (exhibitions, master classes, etc.) to further encourage encounters. We're also working on an art project, in a town where painting has historically played a major role.

A place for creativity...

This year, the house inaugurated its first art residencies with a beautiful studio space opening onto the garden. The principle is simple: artists stay with us for two weeks, in exchange for one of the works they produce, which will remain within our walls. An exhibition featuring all the creations is already planned for the summer of 2024, to celebrate the Tilleuls' fifth anniversary. This will be an opportunity to reunite the artists who have taken part in the adventure, as well as the friends and loyal guests of the house.