A glass house in Alsace, France
In 1920, the French designer René Lalique ventured to the northern region of Alsace to build a home for his glassmaking company. Lalique also needed a home for himself, and so he constructed a timber-framed villa just a mile from the factory. Nearly a century later, the home has opened as a six-suite retreat that reflects its former owner and the company he founded.
Unveiled last September, Villa René Lalique is decorated with historic family photos, Maison Lalique furnishings, and crystal accents. Adjacent to the home, a new glass pavilion designed by Mario Botta houses a 20,000-bottle wine room and a restaurant run by Jean-Georges Klein, longtime chef of the Michelin three-star L’Arnsbourg. Hanging in the dining room is a glittering crystal chandelier that Lalique designed in 1928 for the Orient Express.
The historic mansion turned luxury hotel is located in Wingen-sur-Moder, a small village in Alsace, roughly one mile from the original Lalique factory and Museé Lalique. Art, architecture, and gourmet fare make for a high-style couples’ hideaway in the French countryside.
