Abbaye de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku in Anjou, France | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku in Anjou, France | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Patrick Jouin Jouin Manku | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Patrick Jouin Jouin Manku | Yellowtrace

 

Paris-based design duo Patrick Jouin & Sanjit Manku of Jouin Manku have redesigned the interior of an old Saint-Lazare monastery in France, transforming it into a rather tremendous hotel and a restaurant. Keeping the layers of 1000 years of history and the original beauty of the mansion in tact, the two designers aspired to create an elegant environment fitting of the location.

Throughout the history, Saint-Lazare has always been a place of communal life. It once housed the monks, before becoming a shelter for nuns, later being transformed into a hospital while the abbey was a prison, eventually becoming a hotel and a restaurant in the 1980s. Jouin Manku introduced their own pared-down and elegant style, resulting in a luxurious, graceful and refined interior that sits in perfect harmony with the magnificent ancient monastery. Oh so French and très chic!

The diversity and rich atmosphere offered throughout the Abbaye de Fontevraud makes up for a captivating experience of the past and present. Everything was designed specifically for the project – all the furniture, lamps, bed and tableware contribute to a soothing atmosphere, accentuating the original features and soul of the historic landmark.

Related Post: Two French Restaurants Designed by Jouin Manku.

 

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Patrick Jouin Jouin Manku | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku in Anjou, France | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Patrick Jouin Jouin Manku | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku in Anjou, France | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Patrick Jouin Jouin Manku | Yellowtrace

Abbaye de Fontevraud by Jouin Manku in Anjou, France | Yellowtrace

 

“We quietly slipped into the Saint-Lazare priory, immersing ourselves in its history and its uniqueness. We tried to capture its essence, from its monastic simplicity to its prison austerity via the wisdom and philosophy of those who built and lived here. Then we had to fine-tune our approach, to give life to a contemporary vision that would respect and preserve the spirit of the building. We didn’t want the visitor to forget where they were. On the contrary, we wanted to assure an intimate experience of the site, allowing the visitor to appropriate fragments of the past in comfort. Achieving this also meant rising to the challenge of the constraints imposed by the building’s classification as an historic monument, notably that we were not permitted to touch the ceilings and the walls. The best approach was to find a way to turn these constraints into opportunities.” – Jouin Manku

To see more, you can watch this video of Abbaye de Fontevraud.

Related Post: Two French Restaurants Designed by Jouin Manku.

 


[Images courtesy of Fontevraud Hotel. Photgoraphy © Nicolas Mathéus.]

 



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With a disarming blend of authority and approachability, Dana is a former refugee-turned-global design visionary. Through her multi-faceted work as a creative director, keynote speaker, editor, curator, interior designer and digital publisher, Dana empowers others to appreciate and engage with design in transformative ways, making the sometimes intimidating world of design accessible to everyone, regardless of their familiarity with the subject. Dana's been catapulted to the status of a stalwart global influencer, with recognition from industry heavyweights such as AD Germany, Vogue Living, Elle Décor Italia and Danish RUM Interiør Design, who have named as one of the Top True Global Influencers of the Design World and counted her among the most visionary female creatives on the planet. Her TEDx talk—"Design Can Change the Way You See the World"— will challenge and transform your understanding of design's omnipresent and profound influence. Through her vast experience in interiors, architecture and design, Dana challenges the prevailing rapid image culture, highlighting the importance of originality, sustainability, connecting with your values and learning to "see" design beyond the aesthetic.

3 Responses

  1. HAPPY HOUR : ABBAYE de FONTEVRAUD - Spaceworks

    […] “The diversity and rich atmosphere offered throughout the Abbaye de Fontevraud makes up for a captivating experience of the past and present. Everything was designed specifically for the project – all the furniture, lamps, bed and tableware contribute to a soothing atmosphere, accentuating the original features and soul of the historic landmark.” YELLOWTRACE […]

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