LUXURY TRAVEL 75
“ From the very beginning , I knew I wanted to work one-on-one with the architect to maximise the abundant light and stunning views seen from the site ”, said Yoann . “ From knowing where the sunrise and sunset hits the property to maximising the natural light and creating windows and balconies that feel like fine art photo frames , I knew we needed to do this very special spot justice so guests can experience the best of Val d ’ Isére no matter the weather conditions . This has been a dedicated passionate project for myself and Charlotte , and we hope that our guests will become one with these stunning mountains when staying at Chalet Machapuchare .”
Chalet Machapuchare was born of a decades-long family history , with Yoann ’ s father and grandfather creating the original road to the property in the early nineties . The chalet itself was constructed from local larch pines , while Yoann and his father dug down two levels to create a 007-style parking lot that commands attention upon arrival . With meaningful details behind every corner of the luxurious property , the private garage has retained views of the natural rock of the earthwork along one wall , with all the stones excavated during the building process re-used in the chalet .
The name Machapuchare was inspired by the majestic Machapuchare mountain , which Yoann saw during an adventure in Nepal while trekking around Annapurna ’ s range . Protected by the Nepalese government , Machapuchare has never been climbed and holds a special place in local Nepalese beliefs and in many mountain lovers ’ hearts as Shiva ’ s house , a sacred natural space . Each room in the chalet is named after one of the summits or villages from the Annapurna trek in Nepal , detailing the altitude of each one .
THE DESIGN
The scheme for the modern exquisitely designed chalet takes its inspiration from the natural alpine landscapes and the mountain while respecting and acknowledging the history of the area . Locally sourced natural materials such as wood , stone , leather , the luxurious super soft bespoke French wool by Arpin and iron are combined with minimalist and deep , natural colours to create a grounding yet luxurious interior .
Yoann ’ s deep family roots within the area are evident throughout the chalet , which has the feel of a ‘ living museum ’, featuring family antiques ranging from historic skiing pieces to old tools emphasising being sufficient and surviving in the mountains .
Such artifacts include a wooden horse carriage wheel with an axel centrepiece that has been made into a dramatic seat in the boot room , crafted by hand by Yoann and his best friend , who is a local carpenter . Indeed , Yoann has made most of the furniture from family artifacts and antiques , breathing new life into historic pieces and creating a marriage between the history of Val d ’ Isère and his family
ISSUE 62 2024 THE ART OF LUXURY