When I was in Ile de Ré in September, I stumbled on a new design hotel, Le Lanternon, almost by accident. I walked by a subtle sign that said Le Lanternon a few times and was intrigued as to what was inside the building. Finally, I took the time to investigate and I still couldn’t figure out what it was.
I rang the bell and a slim attractive man with silver flowing curls wearing loose yoga pants, tee-shirt, and Birkenstocks answered the door. His name was Jerome Perrin and I asked him if this was a new hotel, and he said that he had opened it just a few months ago. Although he seemed to be busy taking care of logistical things and working with an electrician, Jerome was kind enough to take me on a tour and tell me his story. Jerome was working a corporate job in the construction industry, and two years ago he bought the property the hotel was on, which was a private house built in 1885. Jerome left his job and spent the next two years renovating the building to turn into a boutique hotel.
He said the fun part was going to different flea markets and shopping for the mid- century and Art Deco furniture, lamps, light fixtures, bar, objets, and accessories, which he stockpiled until the renovation was completed. Since mid- century and Art Deco are my favorite periods of design, I loved the interiors and the way he mixed it up. Jerome told me that it was a lot of hard work deciding on what pieces to put where and had to move things around frequently until he got it just right.
The five-room hotel feels more like a well curated house that you would want to live in. Each guest room is individually designed but there’s a stylish cohesiveness throughout guest rooms and public spaces. The light and airy rooms, which range in size from 260 feet to 345 square feet, have king size beds with luxurious linens, and have port and garden views.
On the top floor is a narrow stairway that leads to the roof that has a lookout with 360-degree views of Ile de Ré.
The main floor has a cool bar area with a vintage wood bar with a marble top and black leather and stainless-steel bar chairs. A more intimate salon had a vanilla color semi-shag rug, a long oval table draped with soft, natural linen cloth and topped with coffee table books. A black leather couch, a fireplace, and artwork and sculptures fill the rest of the room.
The breakfast room was an open, natural light filled space tastefully designed with wood topped tables and sleek black chairs. On the mantle of the handsome black and white marble fireplace is a selection of white candles, and on the wall behind it is a fabulous oval mirror with a crystal frame.
The outside garden has a wood deck area with a small pool and an extended lawn with quirky outdoor furniture made of black wire.
Jerome offered me a coffee and we spoke for a few more minutes, trading our life stories. Jerome was living in Paris full-time before he opened the hotel and his wife still lives in Paris along with his two daughters.
Hotel Le Lanternon is located in the town of Saint Martin on Ile de Ré.
https://www.lelanternon.com/en/home/
I am thrilled to launch my Emily in Paris Video Tour today. The video stars moi and is directed and filmed by my partner Vincent Gagliostro. In the almost 25-minute video you get to experience seeing many of the locations where the show was shot, the fascinating history of them, and you will receive insider scoops about Paris. An added bonus is you can watch my onscreen singing debut in the video, singing a verse from a classic French song.
The price to watch the video is $12. Click here to send $12 to my Paypal account, and after I receive your payment, I will then send you the link to watch it. I request that you don’t share the link with anyone else. Please note that any order received after 10pm Paris time, I will send the link to the video the next morning.
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