Auberge D’Aillon et D’Ailleurs

A philosophy that particularly inspired Maelle, the Agence Amevet interior architect in charge of the project. “Hygge was a point of view, an art of living, which we had to translate into interior architecture, without falling into clichés. We’re in the mid-range mountains, not at altitude, where inspiration comes from chalets and refuges!”

Agence Amevet intervenes in the course of the project, “on already defined spaces”, where it strives to translate the customer’s expectations: the hygge spirit, but also the presence of the piano, the owner’s fetish. The common areas bring together on the same open plateau the reception, the lounge, the gourmet and locavore restaurant with its glass façade, designed by chef Marc Guy; the bar, in a central position, with a mix of wood and contemporary lines… Two fireplaces, one 3-sided, the other round, warm the whole and accentuate the cosy atmosphere… In the basement, you’ll find the wellness area, offering Ayurvedic massages, a heated swimming pool and a sweatbox… The seminar area, versatile and suitable for organizing family events… Everything is soft and calm, dominated by white and beige monochrome tones, enhanced by touches of color.

But the most astonishing thing is that the rooms are all different! 14 rooms, 14 themes, inspired by the geology and geography of the area, the way of life of its inhabitants, its rural economy… You’ll have to visit the Auberge D’Aillon et D’Ailleurs many times to sleep in the Schiste (stone), Nant (river), Sylva (forest), Sycomore (turned wood), Gentiane (flower), Lana (wool), Corne (fauna), Séléné (sky), Clarine (bell), Bauju (inhabitant), Flocon, Feu (fire) and so on.

But let’s get back to the genesis of the project. Originally from Lyon, the owners of the hotel were in love with the resort of Aillon, in the Bauges mountains, where they owned a chalet. Above all, they wanted to help revitalize the village, so they bought the buildings of a former vacation camp and transformed them into a high-end hotel.

It’s a risky gamble, because the Bauges are anything but a ski stronghold! Their tourist economy relies more on local customers from Aix-les-Bains, Chambéry and Annecy than on long-distance stays. Yet the challenge makes sense in a new context, where customer aspirations are taking shape in the form of “slow” tourism, more sustainable and better spread over the whole season.

To rise to the challenge, we needed a very strong approach, totally in keeping with this calm, wild mid-mountain region, classified as a UNESCO Geopark for the beauty of its natural sites. This approach, which can be summed up in a single word, HYGGE, was the basis of the specifications. “Hygge” is a state of mind, a concept born in Scandinavia and based on a warm, friendly, cocooning atmosphere. In the home, this translates into the multiplication of “little corners” where you can take refuge, find yourself and forget the stresses of life.