Translated by Bethszabee Garner

Imagine falling asleep under the mannerist frescoes of the Villa Médicis, awakened by the whispers of Rome, or dreaming of impressionism at Barbizon, where the great landscape masters found their muse. Each destination on this cultural odyssey is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a living heritage. Chambord offers you the privilege of spending a night in the shadow of King François I, while Rosa Bonheur reveals the intact intimacy of her artist's studio. Further south, the Château La Coste combines monumental sculptures and sophisticated nights, when the CAB foundation invites you to a minimalist stay in Jean Prouvé's iconic cabin. Here, art is not only contemplated, it becomes a way of life.

Villa Médicis: a room with a view

To sleep at the Villa Médicis is to enter a world where history and contemporary creativity meet. Two emblematic rooms, the Galileo and Debussy suites, have been refurbished by the designer India Mahdavi. Bold geometry, vibrant colors and mannerist frescoes by Jacopo Zucchi combine in a dialogue between past and modernity. Other rooms are still awaiting transformation with the help of the competition. Beyond the comfort, it is the aura of the place that fascinates. In the morning, a stroll through the gardens offers a timeless interlude.

The city seems far away, but its breath echoes in this suspended haven. You can extend the experience with an exhibition or a guided tour. But to have the privilege of staying in this unique setting, it's best to book early: reservations, by email only, must be made at least two months in advance. A timeframe that befits this trip to a historical treasure trove.

Villa Medici, French Academy in Rome, Viale Trinità dei Monti 1, Rome, Italy

A royal escape in Chambord

With its unobstructed view of the château of Francis I, the Relais de Chambord, designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, is the only place where you can sleep almost under the king's windows. In a muted and sophisticated setting, each room offers discreet luxury: frescoes inspired by the castle, refined velvet and designer lighting. Formerly the royal kennels in the 17th century, then a coaching inn, the place offers a unique sensation: that of having Chambord all to yourself. In the heart of 6,000 hectares of unspoilt nature, the experience invites you to escape.

Rent a traditional houseboat on the Cosson and let yourself be carried away by the murmur of the water, get on a bike to explore the surroundings or savor a tasting at the Chambord wine cellar. Finally, to complete the experience - by booking in advance - you can enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi with a view of the castle. Here, luxury, nature and heritage merge in a simply exceptional setting. Don't miss the painting Madonna with Child, attributed to Botticelli, which will be on display in the chapel of the Château de Chambord until 19 January 2025.

The Relais de Chambord, Place Saint-Louis, 41250 Chambord

Out of time at the Château de Rosa Bonheur

Sleeping in a museum is good. Sleeping in a painter's studio is better. At the Château de Rosa Bonheur, nestled in Thomery, you can immerse yourself directly in the artist's private world. Here, everything has remained intact: brushes abandoned on her palette, sketchbooks and furniture chosen by her.

Breathe in the air of her light-filled studio and stroll through the park where she worked, surrounded by her two hundred free-roaming animals. After breakfast with a view of the park, set off to explore the village of Thomery, before reaching the banks of the Seine, where sunbathers and walkers gather on sunny days. A complete change of scenery, just one hour from Paris.

Château de Rosa Bonheur, 12 rue Rosa Bonheur, 77810 Thomery

Open sky at Château La Coste

To enter the grounds of Château La Coste is to step into a vast open-air theatre where contemporary art flourishes in the heart of nature. Monumental sculptures and installations by Louise Bourgeois, Ai Weiwei and Alexander Calder interact harmoniously with the 130 hectares of vineyards and Provincial hills. The architecture of Tadao Ando and Renzo Piano magnifies this landscape into a spectacular setting.

In this artistic setting, the Villa La Coste private residences extend the experience: suites designed by André Fu, combining walnut woodwork, custom-made furniture and natural textiles, with large bay windows opening onto terraces overlooking the Luberon. Every detail invites total immersion, where even the night becomes a moment of art in this living museum.

Château La Coste, 2750 route de la Cride, 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade

Dream of impressionism at l’Esquisse Barbizon

At L'Esquisse Barbizon, a cultural hotel located opposite the Barbizon Painters' Museum, art is not just for contemplation, it is an education. This place, which revives the heritage of the first hotels in Barbizon, immerses you in the world of 19th-century landscape artists. Each room bears the imprint of a great master, combining refined comfort and a tribute to the European artists' colonies. The integrated museum, open to all, offers a fun tour: paintings, interactive tablets and inspiring landscapes transport you from Barbizon through Impressionist Europe. Between nature, at the gateway to the forest of Fontainebleau, and art, this place introduces you to a certain art of living.

L'Esquisse Barbizon, 73 Grande Rue, 77630 Barbizon

The Carmelite Couvent, a gem in Arles

During the Rencontres de la Photographie d'Arles (meeting of Photography of Arles), the Hôtel Jules César (MGallery) transforms its walls into a living gallery. A former Carmelite convent built in 1664, this architectural gem, enhanced by Christian Lacroix, is part of the festival's Off programme. Nestled in the heart of the ‘Little Rome of the Gauls’, this hotel steeped in history combines baroque heritage and colorful modernity for a unique cultural experience. Visitors no longer come just to stay, but to stroll between the rooms and lounges, enhanced by photographic exhibitions that interact with the original frescoes and woodwork.

Here, contemporary art and Provinçal heritage intertwine in a setting that invites contemplation. Between two visits to the maze of narrow streets in Arles, the Spa by Cinq Mondes or the local flavors of the Lou Marquès restaurant prolong this timeless escape.

Hôtel Jules César, 9 boulevard des Lices, 13200 Arles

Disconnect in Jean Prouvé’s cabin

In Saint-Paul-de-Vence, the CAB foundation invites you to immerse yourself in the heart of architecture. This space, dedicated to minimal and conceptual art, offers a unique experience: staying in its four guest rooms, redesigned by the architect Charles Zana. Among them is a jewel: Jean Prouvé's dismountable house. Designed in 1944 to respond to the urgent needs of disaster victims in Lorraine, this 6 x 6 meter wooden structure, an emblem of Prouvé's functional ingenuity, has been converted into a double bedroom.

Furnished with period furniture designed by Prouvé, and complemented by a bathroom keeping with the original spirit, it offers a timeless stay. Between Prouvé's shed, the works of Louise Bourgeois and Frank Gehry's Pavilion, the experience combines simplicity and sophistication, with art as the common thread. In winter, the exhibitions are removed, leaving room for the tranquillity of the rooms and the raw charm of the surrounding nature. An escapade for discerning aesthetes.

Fondation CAB, 576 chemin des Gardettes, 06570 Saint-Paul-de-Vence