Villa Lautrec

This stunning, ultra-luxe, seven-bedroom villa, set in the forest of Trousse-Chemise, is perfectly in keeping with the swish and sophisticated village of Portes en Ré. A spectacular example of contemporary comfort and design, and one that effortlessly achieves congruence with its glorious surroundings, Villa Lautrec welcomes up to fourteen guests to the magical Ile de Ré in truly impressive style.

With the heady scents of pine and the Atlantic beginning to intoxicate as you arrive at Villa Lautrec, its white walls and terracotta roof tiles - synonymous with the architecture of the island - have begun to enchant you already. Love at first sight, with all subsequent glances becoming more lingering.

An immaculately styled interior welcomes you to your home for the week, with its grounds more than a match for the amazing range of textures and colours inside. In fact, Villa Lautrec takes every opportunity to synergise the indoors and out. A sleek living space, replete with large, comfortable sofas, armchairs resembling the coolest deckchairs and a hand-crafted dark wood bench, opens at both sides to the fantastic terraces and gardens. With a wall-mounted television and fireplace at one side, the impossibly large patio doors behind open to a secluded, greenery-lined terrace with day bed, a pine tree protruding at a jaunty angle from the steps down to the garden.

Banquette seating links the lounge with a superbly equipped kitchen, a breakfast bar performing the same function between kitchen and dining room, where ten guests can enjoy meals together at the fabulous table. With such innovative use of materials and colour, Villa Lautrec delivers sleek minimalism throughout, with beams of glorious sunshine.

With its seven bedrooms, spread across three parts of this expertly configured and masterfully curated property, up to fourteen guests can make this villa their home during their stay on the beautiful Ile de Ré. The double master suite is in the main building, and comprises a shower room, dressing room and separate WC.

The first annexe contains four double bedrooms, each with a shower room and three of those boasting doors to a terrace. There’s also a fantastic room for younger guests to enjoy that features two integrated bunk beds, with drawers to store clothes underneath. There are three separate toilets and a laundry room, while a separate shower room serves the bunk bed room.

The clean lines, luxurious furniture and attention to detail continue in the outside grounds. Wooden terraces around the villa feature a large dining table, deckchairs and lounge chairs by the heated pool. Occasional tree pits in the decking deliver natural shade, so you can relax with afternoon drinks. You’ll have a tennis court available too, just in case all the relaxation gets too much!

You’ll have parking space for two vehicles, though a visit to Ile de Ré doesn’t usually involve much driving – unless you’re planning a day out to La Rochelle, most people get around by bike. The nearby village has plenty of bike rental outlets, where you can hire anything from road bikes to beach cruisers for as long as you like. You’ll also find all provisions you need for your stay – we recommend the morning market for some exceptional treats! Head to the fabulous Plage du Petit Bec for watersports, boat rides and frozen macarons – treat yourself, you can always burn off those extra calories on your bike!