Guinguette + A new generation design hotel
Cintya Concari + Floornature - 22.03.2012
Cintya Concari + Floornature - 22.03.2012
Etoile de Mer: a story of architecture and friendship.
Etoile de Mer: a story of architecture and friendship. Back in the 1950s, a plumber opened a small bistro on the Azure Coast with a few rooms right below E – 1027, the famous villa by designer Eileen Gray. The bistro’s clients included Le Corbusier, who transformed the tiny place into an architectural treasure. What was originally a strictly culinary relationship became a great friendship, and Le Corbusier painted the woodwork, decorated the dining room counter and built the Cabanon, a four metre by four metre hut annexed to the inn, with colourful murals. The artist and architect lived in the Cabanon for a number of years and other huts were built on the Azure Coast, such as the Unites de Camping, five tiny wooden spaces which Le Corbusier paid for and then traded for the Cabanon.
When the architect died in 1965, the Etoile de Mer became the property of Robert Rebutat, son of original plumber/innkeeper, an architect who preserved this valuable heritage building perfectly intact. “Swim and draw” was Le Corbusier’s motto; he sketched the Cabanon in only 45 minutes using the Modulor system. The place is now a pilgrimage site for tourists from all over the world who would never want to live in a hut, but would give anything to take a holiday in the Cabanon. To arrange a visit, contact the Cap Martin/Roquebrune tourist office. Tours are available with reservations on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9:30, walking along the beautiful Promenade Le Corbusier, a path through the Mediterranean brush with breathtaking views.
After enjoying the summer sun or the warmth and unusual light of winter on the Azure Coast, go to Nice to enjoy the view of the deep blue sea from the Baie des Anges and the Promenade des Anglais: the famous blue found on those chic French Gitanes and Gauloises packets. Spend a night surrounded by architecture and design at designer Matali Crasset’s HI Hotel: a city hotel that breaks away with the traditional concept of luxury to provide a contemporary living space, with nine room concepts designed to reflect not different aesthetics but different ways of spending the night. Choose the Techno Corner room, the White & White room or the Indoor Terrasse.
The Boscolo Exedra Nice Hotel designed by Iosa Ghini Associati is completely different: the renovated version of the old Hotel du Rhin built in 1913 by architect Charles Dalmas. The façade, stuccos and architectural details of the Belle Epoque building have been perfectly preserved, while hi-tech design predominates in the hotel’s 113 rooms with their ivory and cream walls and pure, severe all-white furniture. The Palais de le Mediterranee is synonymous with the city of Nice, with its big Art Deco façade, 1930s glamour and 21st century comfort following a major renovation project completed in 2004. A more affordable hotel near Nice is the Maison du Frene, a highly evocative place to stay, especially for art lovers.
Shopping and food go hand in hand in Nice, and here too the choices are endless. Vieux Nice is one of the most exciting parts of town. Apart from the wonderful flower market held every day except Monday, beautiful boutis may be found at La Cotonniere, where they are made, along with all sorts of furniture and perfumes. Cours Saleya has a flea market and, on Papacino wharf, La Chapellerie is a historic maker of hats for the Nice and Paris opera as well as for tourists! Wicker baskets and unusual umbrellas may be found in Rue de Prefecture. Then there are the shops in Galeries La Fayette, a splendid 19th century building. Pain au chocolat, tarte de citron and baguettes are the ideal way to start the day at one of the many Multari patisseries; enjoy lunch at the Grand Cafè de Turin, a fishmonger with a restaurant next door where diners can enjoy perfectly fresh oysters and seafood with champagne. At the cocktail hour, enjoy a legendary pastis at the Caves Caprioglio, then go on to dinner Chez Pipo and try socca, a pie made with chickpea flower, or proceed to the Zucca Magica, for vegetarian food right by the waterfront. Voilà – les jeux son fait!
Etoile de Mer: a story of architecture and friendship. Back in the 1950s, a plumber opened a small bistro on the Azure Coast with a few rooms right below E – 1027, the famous villa by designer Eileen Gray. The bistro’s clients included Le Corbusier, who transformed the tiny place into an architectural treasure. What was originally a strictly culinary relationship became a great friendship, and Le Corbusier painted the woodwork, decorated the dining room counter and built the Cabanon, a four metre by four metre hut annexed to the inn, with colourful murals. The artist and architect lived in the Cabanon for a number of years and other huts were built on the Azure Coast, such as the Unites de Camping, five tiny wooden spaces which Le Corbusier paid for and then traded for the Cabanon.
When the architect died in 1965, the Etoile de Mer became the property of Robert Rebutat, son of original plumber/innkeeper, an architect who preserved this valuable heritage building perfectly intact. “Swim and draw” was Le Corbusier’s motto; he sketched the Cabanon in only 45 minutes using the Modulor system. The place is now a pilgrimage site for tourists from all over the world who would never want to live in a hut, but would give anything to take a holiday in the Cabanon. To arrange a visit, contact the Cap Martin/Roquebrune tourist office. Tours are available with reservations on Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9:30, walking along the beautiful Promenade Le Corbusier, a path through the Mediterranean brush with breathtaking views.
After enjoying the summer sun or the warmth and unusual light of winter on the Azure Coast, go to Nice to enjoy the view of the deep blue sea from the Baie des Anges and the Promenade des Anglais: the famous blue found on those chic French Gitanes and Gauloises packets. Spend a night surrounded by architecture and design at designer Matali Crasset’s HI Hotel: a city hotel that breaks away with the traditional concept of luxury to provide a contemporary living space, with nine room concepts designed to reflect not different aesthetics but different ways of spending the night. Choose the Techno Corner room, the White & White room or the Indoor Terrasse.
The Boscolo Exedra Nice Hotel designed by Iosa Ghini Associati is completely different: the renovated version of the old Hotel du Rhin built in 1913 by architect Charles Dalmas. The façade, stuccos and architectural details of the Belle Epoque building have been perfectly preserved, while hi-tech design predominates in the hotel’s 113 rooms with their ivory and cream walls and pure, severe all-white furniture. The Palais de le Mediterranee is synonymous with the city of Nice, with its big Art Deco façade, 1930s glamour and 21st century comfort following a major renovation project completed in 2004. A more affordable hotel near Nice is the Maison du Frene, a highly evocative place to stay, especially for art lovers.
Shopping and food go hand in hand in Nice, and here too the choices are endless. Vieux Nice is one of the most exciting parts of town. Apart from the wonderful flower market held every day except Monday, beautiful boutis may be found at La Cotonniere, where they are made, along with all sorts of furniture and perfumes. Cours Saleya has a flea market and, on Papacino wharf, La Chapellerie is a historic maker of hats for the Nice and Paris opera as well as for tourists! Wicker baskets and unusual umbrellas may be found in Rue de Prefecture. Then there are the shops in Galeries La Fayette, a splendid 19th century building. Pain au chocolat, tarte de citron and baguettes are the ideal way to start the day at one of the many Multari patisseries; enjoy lunch at the Grand Cafè de Turin, a fishmonger with a restaurant next door where diners can enjoy perfectly fresh oysters and seafood with champagne. At the cocktail hour, enjoy a legendary pastis at the Caves Caprioglio, then go on to dinner Chez Pipo and try socca, a pie made with chickpea flower, or proceed to the Zucca Magica, for vegetarian food right by the waterfront. Voilà – les jeux son fait!
