A visit to Hotel Pieve Aldina, a new luxury hideaway in the heart of Tuscany

Driving to the village of Radda, along the winding roads of Tuscany’s Chianti valleys, an elegant belfry emerges through the cypresses, grape vines and olive trees. This is the church of Santa Maria Novella. A marvel of Romanesque architecture built in the 10th century^e century, a parish donated to Count Piancaldoli by his wife Aldina. It adjoins the Pieve Aldina, the eleventh hotel of the Domaines de Fontenille, the first in Italy. This collection of buildings, dating back to the 15th century^eXIV:^e and XVII^e over the centuries, classified and of course steeped in history. Traces of the past are everywhere, testifying to the original architecture and the changes made in the 19th century.^e century.

It is easy to understand that Frédéric Biousse and Guillaume Foucher, led by Domaine de Fontenil, fell in love with this magical place. “In 2016, when Frederic and I decided to start the hotel business, we thought about settling in Italy. But we quickly realized that learning a new job (Frederick was a fashion entrepreneur and I owned an art gallery) and a new language, Italian, at the same time was a bit difficult. So we focused on the Luberon, which we knew well. And we opened Domaine de Fontenille. Then many others in France and Menorca… But our desire for Italy never left us. Four years ago we decided to go back to it. We visited about 40 places and fell in love with this one. However, since we had several sites under construction, we chose to relax on acquisitions,” says Guillaume Foucher.

Wonderful environment

In 2020, after the first arrest and the completion of many projects, Frédéric and Guillaume are again on the roads of Tuscany to explore properties… Pieve Aldina is still for sale. Sign: They decide, this time, to take a step and turn this mansion into a hotel. “Chianti is an exceptional region. His preserved landscapes, arranged in a very poetic manner, are what we see in the background of Renaissance portraits. I am an art historian, it is impossible to remain insensitive to it. And then there’s this adjoining church, with its camp, which builds the whole thing,” Guillaume continues.

In addition to its magnificent setting, Pieve Aldina is ideally located on the wine route, thirty minutes from Siena and fifty minutes from Florence. An ideal starting point to explore the region. However, it’s hard to leave Pieve Aldina because you immediately feel good there. Pool, spa, cooking classes, yoga, wine and olive oil tasting, art history classes… the experiences on offer are enticing and you know you won’t be bored. no. But above all, it is the charm that keeps the visitor. the light and calm, the breathtaking beauty of the gardens, the neat and welcoming atmosphere, the signature of Domaines de Fontenille…

ancient spirit

Guillaume, who oversaw the restoration and layout of the spaces, had to deal with many restrictions related to the regulations: respect for the distribution of rooms and openings, a restoration that requires the use of original, local, historical materials, handmade, such as terracotta cake. on the ground, or for the restoration of 19th century stencils^e century, a commitment to highlight areas of intervention… And he knew how to increase all those commitments.

Thus, in some of the 22 rooms, spacious and completely different, restored frescoes can be found, as if blending into plain paintings. Then floats an ancient spirit that imposes itself from the entrance, where one is greeted by a giant bust of Juno, a plaster cast shipped directly from the Berlin sculpture casting workshop. A room sublimated in azure blue that dresses up the reception and contrasts with the more subdued atmosphereNote:

In the video, why do we get the impression that time flies on vacation?

Minimalist decor

“On the first floor, we have a number of rooms with somewhat low ceilings, that’s why we installed hot. enotics with shelves loaded with bottles and lovely ale. And then, going from Juno to Sausage, it doesn’t leave you indifferent,” laughs Guillaume. Continuing in this “tavern”, you can also sit at a table or admire the Italian chef preparing; Pasta to stoves overlooking a small dining room.

For large events, the table can be set in the sunny gardens. Want more sophisticated gastronomy? A few steps away, in another part of the building, the bright restaurant, with tall windows opening onto a 50-seat terrace, allows you to taste the cuisine of chef Flavio Faedi. The decor is more minimalist, as the rooms boast Italian furniture and signature lighting, such as Gervasoni and Flos, Pierre Frey textiles, Caravane headboards… A perfect setting that highlights the exterior. “The views from every window are paintings,” Guillaume insists. In addition to the panoramic view, take time to admire the small speckled altars that dot all the rooms; they are a link between different styles and choices, common threads.

“We love Italy, Italians, light, Italian cuisine and culture. Therefore, Pieve Aldina is only the beginning in this country. »

Guillaume Foucher

good moods

“We define Les Domaines de Fontenille as a collection of hotels because each address has its own personality, conceived from creativity, history… These icons, images of popular art that have always been found in Italian fireplaces and discovered at the flea market. , here they were like a click. they are the ones that allowed me to build the identity of the house,” says Guillaume. They keep watch everywhere, spreading their good vibes on the painted wall that is placed on the fireplace in the living room, by the bed… And they will surely be lucky for Frédéric and Guillaume, who still have many projects in mind. “We love Italy, Italians, light, Italian cuisine and culture,” enthuses Guillaume. Therefore, Pieve Aldina is only the beginning in this country.”

(1) Pieve Aldina, Traversa del Chianti, 53017 Radda in Chianti (Italy). Reservations: reservations@pievealdina.com.

Good addresses by Guillaume Foucher around Pieve Aldina

• Antica Macelleria Cecchini “Great butcher shop run by Dario Cecchini. There you can even prepare a minute tartar, which can be eaten on the spot, in a small corner of the table. Dario Cecchini also has a truck equipped with a grill that crosses the region.”

Antica Macelleria Cecchini, Via XX Luglio, 11, 50022 Panzano in Chianti.

• Ucci Bar: “It’s a restaurant with a beautiful terrace in the very small village of Volpaia. We go there for its Tuscan specialties, Chianti wines, but also for Paola, the owner. He immediately calls you “love” and hugs you as you leave. My dear !”.

Bar Ucci, Piazza della Torre, 9, Volpaia, 53017 Radda in Chianti.

• Panzanella “Osteria Radda in a beautiful village with excellent local cuisine.”

Località Lucarelli, 29, 53017 Radda in Chianti.

• Crete Senesi “An incredible lunar landscape of clay hills and valleys stretching from Siena to Montepulciano.”

• Il Santo Bevitore “A bakery restaurant in Florence where you can feast on plates of Italian cheeses, carefully selected pasta… And of course you can immerse yourself in La Botte’s very fine wine list.”

Il Santo Bevitore, Via Santo Spirito, 64/66, 50125 Florence.