Airelles has announce that Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle will make its debut in June 2021. Located within the grounds of Château de Versailles with views over the Orangerie, the Pièce d’Eau des Suisses and the Château, the hotel allows guests to retrace the footsteps of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.
Le Grand Contrôle will mark the sixth property in a collection comprising Les Airelles in Courchevel, La Bastide in Gordes, Mademoiselle in Val d’Isère, and Château de la Messardière and Pan Deï Palais in Saint-Tropez. Housed within three buildings dating back to 1681 – Le Grand Contrôle, Le Petit Contrôle and the Pavillon des premières cent marches – the site features 14 regal rooms including a 120m² signature Suite, dining by Alain Ducasse, a spa by Valmont with a 15-metre indoor pool, and exclusive access to the Château.
Guests will be transported back to the 18th century through Christophe Tollemer’s restoration. The architect and interior designer has drawn direct inspiration for the project from the neighbouring Petit Trianon Palace and Louis XVI’s personal style, focusing on 1788 as a benchmark – the year in which Marie Antoinette redecorated Petit Trianon as well as that of Le Grand Contrôle’s last inventory. Having designed a number of Airelles’ existing properties, Tollemer spent many hours consulting the Château archives to ensure the story of Le Grand Contrôle and its illustrious past was brought to life in an authentic and respectful manner.
A collection of celebrated French artisans and craftspeople have also been commissioned to restore and recreate the property’s historical features, including flooring, fabrics, stonework and wood panelling. Each room will be individually decorated in an 18th-century style with authentic colours and fabrics, handpicked period furniture, chandeliers, artwork and artefacts. In keeping with the time, wall hangings recreated by the internationally-acclaimed Maison Pierre Frey will be a focal point too with their original patterns. All of the rooms and suites are named after prominent individuals who had a strong association with the property, including Jacques Necker, (1732 to 1804 – Director General of Finance under Louis XVI), Madame de Fouquet, (1775 to 1783 – a celebrated socialite who married Marquis de Fouquet, a hero of the American Revolutionary War) and Madame de Staël (a novelist, essayist and philosopher, and a close friend of Marie-Antoinette).
The aristocratic culinary offering will be provided by award-winning chef, Alain Ducasse. With 20 Michelin stars to his name, Ducasse has created a menu inspired by the flamboyant nature of Louis XIV’s meals. With uninterrupted views onto the Orangery parterre, the hotel’s restaurant will serve a selection of reimagined French classics during the day along with a dedicated Marie Antoinette afternoon tea. Dinner will be a more theatrical affair, reminiscent of the king’s decadent royal banquets, with the restaurant team in period costume. A bell will ring at 8pm to signal the beginning of dinner, where guests will experience a five-course gourmet feast including contemporary adaptations of 18th century favourites such as veau à la bourgeoise.
Those looking to relax can head to the spa, which features a hand-painted fresco and Carrara marble checkerboard floor inspired by the palace’s marble courtyard. Facilities on offer include a 15-metre indoor swimming pool, Hamman, sauna and a restorative programme of treatments from Swiss skincare experts Valmont. A 90-minute Majestic Mirror facial – designed to nourish and sculpt the face and décolleté – has been developed especially for Le Grand Contrôle and includes Valmont’s trademark collagen mask treatment.
On the events front, the property will provide a glamorous backdrop for private gatherings such as weddings, dinners and exclusive launches for up to 54 people. There is also the option of hosting an event inside the palace itself, followed by an overnight takeover accommodating up to 36 guests across 14 rooms and suites.
Airelles has rounded out the property’s offer by curating a programme of complimentary and paid-for experiences that provide access to areas of the Château and grounds normally closed to visitors. There will be boats and golf carts on hand for residents to explore the Grand Canal and gardens at their leisure too.
