A new addition to the MGallery collection, located a stone’s throw from Paris.
There are places where the ancient meets the modern; where we give ourselves full permission to breathe and take it all in. There are exceptional environments where special moments are shared, experienced in the plural and designed to leave a lasting impression. In Issy-les-Moulineaux, step through the doors of Domaine Reine Margot Paris Issy – MGallery Collection.
A page of history
In 1606, Marguerite of Valois, La Reine Margot, took up quarters a few minutes from Paris in the town later known as Issy-les-Moulineaux. Today, this haven away from the bustling capital has been redesigned by the Society of Priests of Saint-Sulpice alongside the Wilmotte & Associés architecture firm and the Accor group. Jean-Michel Wilmotte has breathed new life into the storied site, which represents some 9,000 m. of heritage and nature surrounding the stunning 17th century building. Now dubbed the “Margot”, the historic residence provides ten premium rooms and suites. The former chapel has been restored by the Monuments Historiques architect, Bénédicte Gécèle, and is accompanied by the “Sulpice” building, which spans three storeys of contemporary architecture. With its ancient stained-glass windows, the Margot complements the vertical symmetry of the Sulpice’s modern façade.
“We wanted to restore this place as closely as possible to its original condition,” François Neveu, landscaper
The garden transcends time
Covering a full hectare, this faithful replica of the original 17th-century landscape contains no less than 5,000 m² of vegetation, 1,000 m² of grass lawns, around 100 trees and a further 200 fruit trees.
Classic decor, reworked
The entrance lobby to the Domaine de la Reine Margot is designed to be a living space in its own right. Here, guests can find a library stocked with selected works on French history, botany, gardening, ornithology and cookery, as well as a boutique providing visitors with any little provisions they might need during their stay.
The 83 rooms and suites on the estate, ranging in size from 27 to 55 m², are designed with a pared-down, soft and deliberately monastic allure. The uncluttered, bespoke furnishings include modern-style dressers, round coffee tables and lighting that echoes a liturgical aesthetic. Rooms on the top floor enjoy a balcony view over Paris, while ground-floor guests are immersed in the estate’s natural surroundings.
“To make a garden, you need a piece of land and eternity”, Gilles Clément, Botanist-Landscaper
A call to relax
Facing the garden is “Le Refuge de Margot“, a place of relaxation and ultimate wellness. Spanning 360 m², this space is equipped with three treatment rooms within its verdant surroundings. Visitors can discover the expertise of Anne Semonin—a French beauty brand that uses natural active ingredients—as well as massage oils by Le Rouge Français. Along with a state-of-the-art fitness room bathed in natural light, the spa includes a heated pool, hammam and sauna.
From Garden to Table
At the Marguerite 1606 restaurant, guests are treated to plant-based, bistro-style dishes devised personally by Jean-Philippe Perol. The chef interprets the delights of the vegetable garden and orchard to offer hand selected, tempting culinary creations. The menu is one of comforting, traditional, seasonal recipes to be savoured in good company. Meals are enjoyed under the historic glass roof and in the indoor courtyard during the winter months, or outside on one of two terraces in the summer. At Sunday brunch, diners of all ages can experience a special moment of leisure, with custom menus and colouring pages for families with little ones.
Awake your senses
Then there is the Marguerite bar, which moves in step with the changing hours. Serving teas and juices in the afternoon, it then transforms at nightfall into a speakeasy offering a range of botanically-inspired cocktails. For a truly exceptional experience, visitors can head to the rum bar. This one-of-a-kind spot is set within the historic, neo-Gothic heart of the converted chapel. Seating only around ten visitors at a time, this former place of worship presents an exceptional tasting experience under the watchful eye of 74 statues of biblical disciples.
Like the carefully preserved stained-glass windows, these statues have been restored to their original condition. Visitors select their preferred elixir from a generous library of spirits comprising 400 bottles from over 35 destinations. Placing an emphasis on family-owned distilleries, the bar takes guests on a journey from Mauritius to Vietnam by way of Madeira, introducing a timeless tasting experience in small groups, for a truly memorable moment.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
