Photography by Simon WatsonJust outside of Paris, there is a 17th-century château that sits on a 280-acre estate. Château de Wideville, as it is known, belongs to renown fashion designer Valentino Garavani, who has owned the eight-bedroom château since 1995. Distinguished interior decorator Henri Samuel was given the task of making the space comfortable yet regal. What resulted was an Asian-Inspired wonderland, which according to Valentino, was accomplished by both men working together on every room. His love for China having begun two years prior, in 1993, when the designer visited Beijing for the first time.
Since retiring in 2008 the designer now spends several months a year here, entertaining friends and hosting events and benefits. Valentino’s favourite place at Wideville is the château’s winter garden, with its vaulted ceilings and French doors leading out to the topiary garden …
Above, the winter garden, with its vaulted ceilings and French doors leading to the topiary garden at the back of the house.
Above, the pigeonnier, a separate structure on the property originally used to raise doves.
Above, inside the pigeonnier.
Above, inside the pigeonnier.
