The Divine Comedy
CONTENTS
February 2021. Almost a year that we are living under a bell jar, going away alone for a few days is a pressing necessity. Need to take an inspiring break from this daily life of an entrepreneur in dotted lines.
In this France in apnea, I simply decide to leave 1 hour from home. Without children, nor husband. Just a moment just for me to work, dream, meet.
Avignon is my refuge, my city of heart for almost 30 years. Passionate about theater, I passed a literary baccalaureate there with a theater option then I did a DEUG Cultural Mediation and Communication. I also met the man who would become my husband. Years of happiness punctuated, each summer, by the Avignon Festival.
For this vital escape, I had in mind a soothing place that would take me into its history. Sensitive to the theatricality of a place, I fell in love with The Divine Comedy. The Naples Suite awaits me. 3 absolutely magical days. Beyond the breathtaking decor, I felt welcomed and pampered like never before. It didn't take more for me to leave full of energy and desire.
Enchanted parenthesis in Avignon. Welcome to the divine comedy.
The Divine Comedy, the story…
They meet in Paris. Amaury de Villoutreys is a Wealth Manager, Gilles Jauffret is an interior designer. They are both 40 years old. Busy Parisians, they become friends and then work together.
Amaury nourishes the dream of a radical change of life. To leave. To live in the South a new adventure. They hesitate between Aix-en-Provence and Avignon. It is in Avignon that the project comes to life.
Passionate about art, they dream of a cultural place with outdoor spaces. When they visit the sleeping beauty in the heart of the city, Amaury measures the scale of the work, Gilles is amazed and immediately projects himself. A few steps from the Palais des Papes, the residence is a jewel. Benefiting from a green setting of 2600m2 and more than 700 m2 of buildings, love at first sight is obvious.
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
The Divine Comedy, 7 years of renovation
A titanic work and a long process of 7 années : 90% of the house has been renovated. A former language center, the house has not undergone any transformation since 1950. Gilles and Amaury decided to restore its former glory. Each room was redesigned from floor to ceiling. A light well was created at the top of the stairwell to give it more theatricality, interior windows were pierced to enhance the perspectives. Upstairs, each suite in the house is designed as a journey.
The garden is the subject of particular attention with the planting of a hundred trees and species. Sensitive to perspectives, Gilles works on the notion of space by succession in order to encourage the imagination.
The Garden is designed like a plant house where each room tells a new story. Past the large gate, the journey is enchanting.
From the alley of Cypresses of Florence which leads to the residence, passing by the swimming pool designed in the shade of the views, one also explores an orangery then the well-being area called " Madness », with sauna and hammam. The discovery takes place as the walk progresses, leaving time for the eye to discover and discreetly appreciate each stage of the journey.
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
The Divine Comedy, a meeting place
For Gilles and Amaury, the meeting is precious. It has the taste of real life.
Create a welcoming place around the divine comedy came naturally. Promoting moments is essential. Gilles explains: “ It is a human house and not a decorative house. The decoration is at the service of the story and the encounters it will weave. The more fragility there is, the more sincere and authentic encounters there are.
As welcoming as a family home, the residence is no less breathtaking. Passionate about art, history and decoration, Gilles and Amaury fill each room with their finds: 200 paintings of the city of the Popes adorn the stairwell, Italian paintings dance on the walls of each suite, more than 400 works of art inhabit the library and a fantastic bestiary takes possession of the place. Right down to the contemporary lighting that punctuates the dramatic atmosphere, no detail is left to chance.
Each object chosen creates meaning and tells its own story. "Decorative forces of equal weight to cancel out the exceptional interest of an object. A balance that creates a harmonious atmosphere so that the visitor feels good. The desacralization of the decor is essential" explains Gilles.
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
The Divine Comedy, the owners' favorite play
“All the pieces touch us in their own way. Often through the paintings that tell a story. If we had to choose just one place, it would be le jardin" explains Gilles.
Like a mise en abyme, Gilles works on axes and perspectives. The Garden is structured like a plant house where each room is a discovery, a place of appeasement whose primary role is to welcome.
The nicest compliment from their hosts
Gilles and Amaury tell us: “ There have been so many. Each one expresses himself with details: a look, a smile. Actions are the most beautiful translation of this attachment.
They remember together this great actress staying at the Divine Comedy who, upon her arrival, confided to them: “ This is the first time in my life that I wanted to leave my room barefoot."
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
Privatize the Divine Comedy for a private event
As part of a private event, the divine comedy is fully privatized on request. The place welcomes small groups (max. 30 people). Ideal for organizing a welcome dinner or a brunch.
The 5 suites of the House and The Plot, the artist's studio et the studio can accommodate between 13 and 26 guests on site.
The Divine Comedy, prices
Night from 350€
The Address of the Divine Comedy
16 Impasse Jean Pierre Gras, 84000 Avignon
contact@la-divine-comedie.com
The Divine Comedy Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
Follow the news of the Divine Comedy
Website > www.la-divine-comedie.com
IG > @ladivinecomedieavignon
FB > @ladivinecomedieavignon
Thank you Gilles and Amaury for @ladivinecomedieavignon for having drawn this place full of poetry. I prescribe to myself from today one solitary retreat per year as necessary.
Special mention for the welcome from Loïc, Olympe and Théodule 🐕
Photos and report – Clementine Marchal
Addresses recommended by the Divine Comedy
The Mirande lounges with old-fashioned decor
Vox Populi, Pascale Palun a colorful character
Saint Andrew Abbey
Art trail, in November
Louise Cara
Vox Populi Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
La Mirande Avignon // Credit – Clémentine Marchal
TO BE CONTINUED…
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A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
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