Chalet La Masure

How would you describe Chalet La Masure in a nutshell?

Chalet La Masure was created as a place of rest and nourishment for the many curious minds who are sensitive to the call of the mountains. In our case, this is the French Alps.

It was chosen for the beauty of its natural surroundings, a deep sense of place and the multifaceted explorations that start from its doorstep. It is also inspired by the individuals who contribute to making this alpine hamlet xenial and swirl with warm-heartedness.

When staying at Chalet La Masure, we invite our guests to plan minimally and let their instinct, nature, the elements and the neighbours help to shape a unique experience in the mountains.

What is the story behind Chalet La Masure, what was your inspiration to create it?

We wanted Chalet La Masure to be a pied-a-terre for those who are ready to tune into the rhythm of the natural world. It is a place where they can dream up their next adventure, whether in the mountains or in life. It is a sanctuary for suspended moments in time that allow for inspiration and creation.

The restoration of Chalet La Masure was approached thoughtfully by Marc Neyrinck, who is a well-respected local architect specialising in preserving historically significant structures. He embraces traditional construction methods that rely heavily on the use of wood and local stones, such as the lauze roofing. Based on the original building from 1761, he retained much of the history while allowing for subtle yet modern updates throughout.

How would you describe the atmosphere and the interior design of Chalet La Masure?

For the interior, we were inspired by the sanctuaries of women like Charlotte Perriand, Valentine Schlegel and Georgia O’Keeffe. We liked how they used their environment to create a place that allowed them to rest and gather people (when not outside looking for inspiration). We connected with the organic shapes and materials, as well as the colours and concept of bringing the outside in.

These women illuminated our way through the creation process. We wanted to create a place that was warm, primitive, organic, minimalistic and representative of the traditional art populaire de Savoie.

To you personally, what is so special about Chalet La Masure?

We fell in love with the mountains, the orientation and the scale of the property, as well as its layout and the materials used in its construction. First and foremost, we love the kindness of the villagers, the visiting animals and the spirit of the place.

When we decided to spend more of our life in France, we drove the entirety of the Alps, north to south. La Masure was the first hamlet we visited on that trip and it stuck with us throughout the two years it took us to find a home and anchor there.

Once you leave the main road that connects the valley’s ski resorts, it takes about two minutes to get to the main parking lot of La Masure. This is when everything slows down, settles and becomes so much clearer and simpler. We are often met here by the village dogs and neighbours who come to share news, weather or snow conditions. In a sense, it could be described as the heart of the village. Conveniently, this is also where you find the shuttle that takes you to Sainte-Foy ski resort in the winter.

The hamlet is traversed by a little road that connects to some of the most incredible mountain views and hiking trails in the region. To us, it is like a multi-layered storybook where every turn uncovers a place of infinite beauty that can only trigger a smile, a sense of wonder or a meditative state of mind.

It is also the end point of a famous off-piste ski route that starts at Sainte-Foy Station. In the winter, you will find many skiers heading down this road and passing through the village to get back to the shuttle and their cars at Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise or Sainte-Foy ski resort.

In terms of the house itself, it is warm, welcoming and serene. We love the fireplace and the stunning views of the mountains on the top floor. It’s the best spot in the house!