I have been longing for gatherings for as long as I can remember. There’s comfort, love and protection when it comes to the feeling of being around family and friends around a table, and there is one place that has this same philosophy: Villa Magnan.
Situated in the what is known as the “European California” on the Côte Basque, where everything revolves around surfing, Villa Magnan is a charming six-bedroom boutique-hôtel oasis for those visiting Biarritz, in the South West of France.
Proprietors Anne and Jérôme Israël have completely restored this chateau, built between 1927 and 1931 by the architect Louis Amédée Aragon. This grand Art Deco structure, standing at 1,400 m2 (2,400 m2 with its outbuildings), was once owned by Gonzalo de Mora y Fernández, Marquis de Casa Riera, a Spanish aristocrat who came fled to area to escape the civil war. He and his wife, Blanca de Aragón y Carrillo de Albornoz, would have a daughter, Doña Fabiola de Mora y Aragón, who would become Queen Fabiola of Belgium, and a supporter of Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. In 1960, he made her wedding dress when she married King Baudouin I of Belgium. The Queen later donated her wedding dress to the Cristóbal Balenciaga Foundation.
What used to be a favourite place for artists, designers and stylish people under Emperor Eugenia, is now a favourite hangout for the most cool and stylish people around the world. Plus, Hector the donkey roams about the place as he pleases, and breakfast is included with room bookings.
Starting at €200 per night. Info and booking on their Instagram account: Villa Magnan
Image sources: Vogue / AD / Condé Nast Traveler / The Socialite Family / SF Girl / @villamagnan
