VITTEL : Les Villas du Parc

Interview from YO FLOC’H (YF) and PHILIPPE WINSBACK (PW) by JPMDR for Travellingsonline

Pictures ©Philippe Winsback  

Could you walk us through the history of The Vittel park and these

specific villas ?

PW : The spa town of Vittel came into being thanks to Monsieur Louis Bouloumié, who was himself undergoing treatment in the neighboring spa town of Contrexéville. After he acquired, in 1854 and just a few kilometers away, a spring in the middle of a field, the Fontaine de Géremoy, now known as the Grande Source.

From there began the story of the Bouloumié family, who founded the spa town of Vittel. What started as a humble wooden hut in the meadows evolved into the elegant town we know today, with the involvement of some of the greatest architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries such as as Charles Garnier (of the Paris Opera), François-Joseph Nachon, Georges Walwein, Auguste Bluysen, Fernand César, amongst others.

Louis Bouloumié’s children, Ambroise and Pierre, carried on developing the town and expanding the commercial reach of Vittel’s mineral waters, and it was then Pierre in particular, who launched and oversaw the construction of the two villas: Villa Sainte-Marie and Villa Saint-Louis, named in tribute to their late parents.

Located right in the heart of the spa park, which covers 650 hectares, these villas were built in 1911 to host two spa doctors during the summer season, combining both their private residences and their consulting rooms under one roof.

The resort was extremely popular at the time, attracting royalty and high society from around the world, including the Queen of Egypt, the King of Morocco, and many others. It was then unthinkable to offer a simple, modest doctor’s office, therefore to cater to such distinguished guests, Pierre Bouloumié commissioned architect André Colin to design villas worthy of their illustrious visitors.

What encouraged you to embark on this enormous project together ?

YF & PW :

It all started with a question from my partner, YSF, as she sat by the window. We were staying in a nearby hotel, looking out at these two sleeping beauties, shutters closed and long forgotten due to years of neglect.

"How is it possible that these two stunning Anglo-Norman villas could be closed up, and even abandoned?"

I didn’t have an answer, all I knew was that they were owned by a foreign investment fund.

Months and years passed, far from Vittel, until one evening in June 2023, as luck would have it, we came across an online listing: "Vittel, Spa Park - Two Iconic Villas, For Sale.”

It took very little time, with some (very strong) encouragement from my partner, before we called the local notary, and within a few hours, we had a deal.

And just like that, we became the owners of the two villas, officially listed as Historic Monuments, in the Vittel spa park. No prior visit, no defined plan. Just a ‘coup de coeur’ or rather, the feeling of something that was simply meant to be.

What inspired such a meticulous and well-executed project?

YF & PW :

There wasn’t an initial “inspiration.” We had become the owners almost by chance, inheriting far more responsibility than any artistic aspirations. The only guiding principle we had was to respect what was already there, to highlight the architectural features and décor that had remained almost completely intact.

So for us, the project had to adapt to the place and not the other way around. We couldn’t

imagine altering the villas to fit some preconceived vision. The only concessions we made to modern life were a few radiators and light switches, for comfort’s sake.

Our inspiration came from the architecture and the history of these villas, their spirit, and their truly unique setting in France. Our goal was to protect them, to showcase them, and to secure their future.

We hold the keys now, and we hope for as long as possible… but in truth, we’re just passing caretakers in their long history.

Was the renovation process difficult?

YF & PW :

Taking on the challenge of restoring these two “sleeping beauties” in just eight months was

ambitious, and not always easy. We became marathoners of plasterwork, wiring, laying hundreds of meters of pipes, and thousands of liters of paint! (laughs)

Comment le système de réservation fonctionne-t-il ?

Principalement via le site internet des Villas : www.lesvillasduparc.com , par mail : reservation@lesvillasduparc.com ou enfin directement par téléphone : +33.6.67.49.00.39

You’ve already been awarded 5 stars! How did that happen?

We were just as surprised as anyone!

We had applied for a rating a few weeks earlier, thinking we might receive 4 stars. After two onsite inspections and several follow-up conversations, we were unexpectedly awarded 5 stars. It was a wonderful surprise, a reward for months of dedication, and a real recognition of our teamwork.

What types of accommodation do the Villas du Parc offer?

We have guest rooms, a furnished apartment, a furnished villa (from 2 to 5 bedrooms), as well as offices and meeting rooms available by the day or as co-working spaces.

Our mission is simple: to make your stay at the Villas du Parc as exclusive and as enjoyable as possible.

How does the booking system work?

Mostly through our website: www.lesvillasduparc.com, by email: reservation@lesvillasduparc.com, or by phone: +33 (0) 6 67 49 00 39.