Lalique; just the name itself can arouse the image of a glittering luminesce realm, adorned in trappings of gleaming glass and transparent gem decorations. Exquisitely crafted, of course, by designer and artistic genius René Lalique who, since the 19th-century, has held an illustrious legacy in the precious world of crystal.
Following a 1920 purchase of a charming quaint villa that served as the chief family abode for decades in the picturesque, verdant French village of Wingen-sur-Moder, in 2015 the property had adopted a new lease of life with an ethereal renaissance, titled after the gifted glass creator; Villa René Lalique.
It was here where I had relished the prized opportunity to channel my inner Francophile, and bask amongst shimmered embellishments of the glass master. This is chaperoned by a culinary Michelin tasting odyssey, which illustrates the embodiment of delectable, epicurean finesse that in 2016, saw the prestigious Relais and Châteaux association bestow its powerful alliance with this extraordinary continental resort.
Lalique’s journey
The gloried ancestry and genesis of Lalique’s chronicles can be unearthed within Aÿ-en-Champagne, the heart of the historic hillsides of Champagne listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Marne region of France, which celebrated the birth of our crystal creator René Lalique in 1860.
Following the demise of his father, René commenced the Lalique voyage with the intricate art of jewellery-making at the École des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, while under the sharp-eyed mentorship of craftsman and jeweller Louis Aucoc, which soon saw him take his education overseas to British territory. What followed in 1885 was an abundance of esteemed accolades as an independent designer for a twinkling catalogue of elite jewellery houses, including Boucheron and Cartier and soon, the proud ownership of jeweller Jules Destape’s Parisian workshop on Place Gaillon, focusing on exquisite jewellery festooned with pearls, diamonds and precious stones.
Catching the attention of the ‘Napoleon of perfumery’ François Coty, a formidable union saw René’s flourishing bejewelled career elevate to the sphere of aromatic perfumes encased in ornately cut glass bottles, a notion which was non-existent at the time and thus, in sync with Francois, remoulded the beau monde perfume playing field. Upon his aspiring crusade in conquering the complex business art of glass production, this Art Nouveau master jeweller acquired a sturdy glassworks workshop in 1922 enveloped within the lush emerald habitat of Wingen-sur-Moder, which was christened as the Verrerie d’Alsace and, to this day, stands as the world’s only Lalique factory.
Until his death in 1945, René blossomed in his tinselled reign as the Art Deco master glassmaker, recognised across the continents with his now lionised name perpetually fastened to the words lavish glass grandeur. Whether it was for his striking adornments aboard the luxurious Côte d’Azur Pullman Express carriages, or his dalliance with royalty tailoring the doors for Prince Yasuhiko Asaka’s palatial residence in Tokyo.
Resolute in keeping his father’s spirit and imagination cocooned in an eternal ray of light, his son Marc continued the distinguished Lalique dynasty leading it into the era of crystal, in time succeeded by his own daughter and René’s granddaughter Marie-Claude Lalique, whom took to the family throne as CEO in 1977 with an invigorating revival of the ultra-luxe jewellery and fragrance business.
As we jet-set into the 21st century with Swiss business mogul Silvio Werner Denz at the helm of the translucent glass Lalique kingdom, the empire takes great contentment in reflecting on their monumental voyage, to salute the French ‘Art of Living’ for over 130 years. Be it the timeless creations of impeccable furnishing and dainty light fixtures, to the bluestocking society of haute-cuisine gastronomy and unprecedented hotel habitats.
Hotel
Nestled by the German border, amongst a blanket of lush evergreen foliage in France’s northern Alsace, this one time Alsatian residence of René-Jules Lalique forms part of a baronial hospitality entourage alongside its graceful manor neighbour of Chateau Hochberg, and Restaurant Lalique within the honey hued, 1er Cru Classé estate of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey. Not to overlook the first of its kind, in-distillery dining sanctum of the Glenturret Lalique restaurant in Scotland’s Crieff, which won its treasured Michelin star within seven months of faultless service.
Accessible via car in a matter of a few hours from the airports of Basel, Strasbourg and Frankfurt, the drive to Villa René proved to be a moment of tranquil scenic beauty as my chauffeur merrily rode through the emerald dipped, picture-postcard backdrop of the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park.
A brief jaunt away from the accommodation, the sight of the factory fleetingly caught my eye as I raised a smile and a salute to the site that, in 2022, recognised a centenary of orchestrated ballets of fire, molten crystal moulds and umpteen fire cases lit from the hands of Lalique’s gifted artisans.
We steered away from the sweeping countryside and onto the rubble-filled driveway to this lavish forest lodging. Greeted by a white washed complex with a lofty red sandstone roof resembling a pointed pinched hat, the exterior personified the essence of its abiding spirit with the original blue shutters and timber structures interweaved with a splash of contemporary elan of an outdoor glass trigon ‘tipi’ hideaway, fitted of course with a Lalique handgrip that unearthed a ring of black wooded seating, ideal for a sunset aperitif or twilight nightcap.
Walking into the stunning Alsatian vernacular building, swathed in immaculate, wall to wall cream carpeting, my heart skipped a beat or three as I idly sashayed passed the reception decorated with intricate sculptures, and into a crystal Shangri-La. My gaze transferred to the Victoire car mascot etched with fine precision into the Lalique Maison chairs assembled in the lounge space, encasing a Lalique marbled bar hosting a priceless collection of vintage whiskey and cognacs. This all sat adjacent to some decadent flowers housed in colossal vase collections and striking drop chandeliers that radiated with ceremonial pomp against the sunlight rays.
The endearing hosting team beckoned my presence to conclude the check-in formalities in a twinkling, and set me on my way to my radiant chambers; champagne in hand of course.
Suites
Villa René Lalique features six luxurious suites, with each winsome living quarter sharing a unified affinity of the celestial woodland vista, while symbolising its own distinctive manifestation of their respective décor aroused by an emblematic René Lalique motif: Hirondelles (Swallows), Rose, Zeila Panther, Dahlia, Dragon and Woman Mask.
Held accountable for some of the most ravishing interior aesthetics to grace the hospitality orbit are the indomitable design duo of Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli, both of whom have exhibited their design sorcery on a medley of regal residences, dashing yachts and, of course, the Lalique Maison Art Deco-inspired furniture and decorative accessories collection from 2011.
A replica of the villa’s original black staircase leads to the first floor settings housing the Hirondelles turret suite, titled after René Lalique’s favourite motif of the swallows. Stretching to over 43sqm, the settings embrace a tantalising vivacity enriched in sultry ruby red hues to tone with the grape panel and feathered nestling decorations. The second floor Dragon Suite, meanwhile, revels in its mythical ensemble draped in serene midnight blue tones, glass dragon figures etched into the furnishings and a spacious balcony opening out to the boundless composed ambience of the refreshing, leafy scenery.
Eerily in the picture on my penchant for all things pretty in pastel, the hotel team escorted me with catwalk poise to the gloried opulence of my polished overnight quarters; the Rose suite. A generous 35sqm, the bonny retreat echoed the trimmings of an angelic bridal boudoir doused in a delicate peaches and cream complexion, swirled with a powder baby pink tint.
Countless glass incarnations of the fragrant flower were flaunting their presence in each nook and corner from the Art-Deco matte vases and crystal garnished furnishings, to the cream imprinted throw pillows. Additional amenities included a sleek flat walled TV, sound system: AeroSystem One by Lalique and Jean-Michel Jarre, and a sizeable bathroom fitted with a luxuriant bath that had me succumb to a pre-dinner soak, whilst I savoured an ice cold flute of bubbles accompanied by a selection of homemade pastries to whet my appetite ahead of the lavish supper soirée.
Food and drink
The Villa René Lalique clique have lived by their oath to serve up a magical ambrosial dining encounter, complete with fine wine and sparkling parings, amongst an attire of iridescent surroundings within the site’s two Michelin-starred dining room. An accomplishment which was achieved within a mere matter of months of opening.
Recognised for my fondness towards a pre-dinner tipple, my company was summoned into the soaring shelter of the villa’s wine cellar, home to 60,000 bottles of wine personally sourced from Alsace and across the world by Lalique CEO and wine connoisseur, Silvio Denz.
Over 12,000 bottles were resting in an artful queue along the backlit cabinets, dressed up in crystal panel fixtures fashioned by Lalique along with a helping hand from the unsurpassable, British born art maestro Damien Hirst. His lucid crystal butterfly creations had lined the corridors trailing to a Herculean bust of René Lalique, next to dainty sugar flowers hand curated by the restaurant’s pastry chef, Nicolas Multon.
Gently recalled from my spellbound trance, a vintage silver bucket appeared bearing a bottle of Villa René Lalique’s in-house brut creation, brimming with a crisp clean vivacity swirled with notes of pear and white flowers that coupled to a T with the agile savoury canapés on hand. I happily indulged before heading to the dining room for the evening’s culinary theatrics.
Accessed via an all-glass walkway, the internationally famed Swiss architect, by the name of Mario Botta, displays his versatile visionary mastery with an Avant-garde dining room resembling that of a luminous crystal embroidered treasure cove. A distinct contrast to the quaint heritage frame of the cellar, which also features in Mario’s portfolio. Cascading crystal trimmings hung from the snow hued ceilings and continued to garnish their glistening presence on the leather seat furnishings and tableware.
A bona fide royal in the debonair dominion of wine, head sommelier Romain Iltis affirmed his bestowed title of Meilleur Sommelier de France (Best Sommelier of France) in 2012 by grasping the reigns of the vino library, beaming with dry whites with drops of honey and tart apple, and deep bodied reds bustling with cherry and chocolate notes all carefully selected to match the everlasting symphony of the flavoursome, René Lalique tasting menu.
Presiding over the dining performance for the evening, Austrian native Paul Stradner is no stranger to the Michelin fellowship having cast his culinary wizardry in the toothsome sanctum of Schwarzwaldstube in Germany (three Michelin stars), and the exclusive Oetker Collection’s kitchen at Brenners Park Hotel and Spa, before transporting his sacred values to curate a seasonal gourmet melody brimming with natural eye-popping pigments, and saporous palates that oozed pure artistry on a plate.
Aided by the manicured front of house staff on par with a regimented yet gripping ballet production, the ‘perfect egg’ was just that; a golden, lightly runny yolk enveloped into tangy lemon sprinkles of fresh sorrel, nut-brown butter and a spoonful of cobra black caviar, whereas the soft carrot symphony popped with a sweet yet woody robust essence, entwined with earthy notes.
The lightly sweet glistening black cod revealed silk like butter flakes that melted in mouth with a smidgen velvet textured potato purée, however, the elegant yet hearty helping of venison proved a nourishing pinnacle to the meal. Earthy and lean, yet astonishingly tender with hints of sage and heady herbs, all elements married into a beetroot infused venison jus before we concluded with the dessert offering of creamy green apples from Alsace, topped with clover ice cream.
Breakfast at Villa René proved a delightful wholesome encounter, with piping hot eggs cooked to order as per your strict demands, while luscious aromas of freshly baked bread, croissants and crumbly pastries perfumed the air, served shoulder to shoulder with fruit loaded jam and airy whipped cream, plus the optional choice of a miniature cheese board.
To do
The hotel lies in the vicinity of the Musée Lalique, which proudly displays and brandishes over 650 pieces belonging to the accomplished glass craftsman. These include a bounteous wealth of decanters, jewellery pieces and signature perfume bottles, plus the emotive memorabilia of the Lalique factory staff at work displayed in the photos lining the museums walls.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the refreshing parkland serves as a hiker’s paradise, also assisted with the recent introduction of forest sophrology proving a stimulating complement. This involves light-hearted exercises of walking barefoot and blindfolded through the towering trees as you soak up the calming winds and tuneful chirps of the birds all the while surrounded by nature’s grandest luxury of these soothing, zen like landscapes.
In a nutshell
Villa René Lalique represents the incarnation of a darling storybook manor estate, which seeks to pay its respects to the savoir-faire lifestyle of a grandiose company, that modelled those crystalline figurines to make Lalique the very emblem of the glass industry that is as fascinating as it is gleaming.
With a harmonic alliance of nurtured traditions with lavish jewel-box hospitality, Villa René stands with pride as a cut above the elite league as they invite their discerning guests to eternally celebrate an untainted heart of glass, and the sparkle of Lalique’s hallmarked outlook on crystal.
Factbox
Suite rates start from approximately £600 to £1,000 per night. Seasonal closure starts from Tuesday, October 31 up to and including Wednesday, November 8, 2023.
Relais and Châteaux is an association of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants.
Address: 18 rue Bellevue, 67290 Wingen-sur-Moder, France
Telephone: 0033 388 71 98 98
Website: villarenelalique.com
