Villa René Lalique, the magnificent

Its half-timbered façade is in keeping with tradition, but its contemporary blue shutters are a sign of its taste for the avant-garde. Designed in 1920 by René Lalique, this villa has miraculously preserved the visionary spirit of its creator - purity, mastery of form and, of course, the omnipresence of Art Nouveau crystal. Long owned by the family, the property now belongs to Swiss entrepreneur Silvio Denz, an art collector with a passion for the house. In 2008, he bought the crystal works and restored its prestige. Denz then decided to transform the villa into a 5-star retreat, entrusting its interior design to Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli, interior architects and, above all, designers of furniture and accessories inspired by the artist's original motifs.

The result? A flawless design, where the spirit of the master is everywhere. Starting with the six exclusive suites inspired by his creations. The "Rose" room is illuminated by the powdery tones so dear to the artist; "Dragon" unveils its midnight-blue furnishings and the play of light on the lamps.The largest suite (66^m2), named "Masque de femme", features motifs from the fantastic crystal panel of the same name created by René Lalique in 1935. A magical atmosphere (but never intimidating, thanks to the care given to welcome and comfort) that continues in the hushed ground-floor lounges, highlighted by a long bar lined with exceptional bottles.

Owner's tour

To celebrate the genius of Lalique, Silvio Denz has also enriched the villa with an architectural UFO: a brick and glass pavilion with a planted roof, designed by architect Mario Botta, which houses the restaurant. It's a spectacular sight to behold as you enter... On one side, the huge bay windows reveal a vivid picture of the park's chestnut, cedar and beech trees, all over a hundred years old. On the other, the open kitchen offers a glimpse of chef Paul Stradner's brigade at work, silent and concentrated. It's in this room that you can savor the Austrian chef's exceptional score, inspired by a walk in the forest or in the orchard, as much as by the riches of the local markets.

A return to our roots is savored under the crystal cascade of a sumptuous chandelier, while the tables are adorned with glasses and decanters that celebrate the refinement of the house. The wine list is in unison, designed by Alsatian Romain Iltis - Best Sommelier of France 2012 - who also invites his guests to a rare discovery: that of the spectacular cellar housing over 20,000 bottles, watched over at the entrance by a final work by the master glass artist.

From villa to museum

Glass aficionados won't want to miss the Lalique Museum. It's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the master's work, with 650 works tracing his incredible career, from jewelry to perfumery, from tableware to stained-glass chapels. The exhibition features drawings and photographs, as well as a video showing the highlights of the 1900 Paris World's Fair. It was here that Lalique scored his first successes with Art Nouveau bronze sculptures (including his famous Winged Woman), which fascinated the world at the time.

• Musée Lalique
• 40, rue du Hochberg, 67290 Wingen-sur-Moder

Marc Larminaux, Artistic and Creative Director, Lalique

How do you blend historical spirit and modernity in your creations?

Marc Larminaux: I draw inspiration from the company's archives, while bringing a contemporary perspective. Our latest collection, "Empreinte animale", is a perfect illustration of this. A tribute to the prints of natural textures (feathers, leaves...) used by Lalique, it brings a new breath of fresh air, with a very contemporary design and techniques. Made in pressed crystal, the Croco vase takes on the texture of the crocodile's shell, with the scales cut out with great precision, a tour de force. The result is strikingly realistic.

What historic pieces can you still admire?

M. L. The Villa houses several works by Lalique: the Bacchantes and Mossi vases from the 20s and 30s, and the Champs-Élysées bowl from 1951. These are naturally mixed with contemporary pieces, such as the series of decanters on display in the bar as part of our collaboration with The Macallan whisky house. One takes the texture of the wood from the casks; another evokes the shape of a drop of whisky...

You also exhibit works by contemporary artists and luxury houses...

M. L . The spectacular chandelier in the restaurant is by Windfall; the crystal butterfly panels are by Damien Hirst. The garden is home to a sculpture by designer Arik Levy, with a smaller crystal version on display in the hotel lobby. Our way of extending René Lalique's passion for art and the avant-garde...

• Suite for two from €460
• 18, rue Bellevue 67290 Wingen-sur-Moder. Tel 03 88 71 98 98
• More information on Villa René Lalique