Château Marteret
Château Marteret is a luxurious seven-room fairy tale villa rental framed by four centuries-old cedars and set into the middle of 180 hectares of land.
How would you describe Maison Lumière in a nutshell?
Maison Lumière is a beautifully restored country estate surrounded by forests and meadows just outside Fontainebleau, less than an hour from Paris.
Combining the warmth of a family home with the comforts and services of a boutique hotel, it offers eleven individually designed bedrooms, two striking Lumipod cabins, a swimming pool, padel court, cinema room and endless opportunities to relax or celebrate with family and friends. Whether enjoying long summer dinners under the trees or cosy evenings by the fireplace in winter, Maison Lumière is a place designed to slow down and savour the pleasures of the French countryside.
What is the story behind Maison Lumière?
Hospitality has always been at the heart of what we do. I studied hospitality management at École Hôtelière de Lausanne and spent many years working in luxury hotels in London, New York and France before joining Airbnb in Paris.
Throughout those years, I was fascinated by the contrast between traditional luxury hospitality, with its incredible attention to detail and guest experience, and the flexibility and seamless automation offered by modern platforms. The idea was born from wanting to bring the best of both worlds together.
Our aim is not to create luxury palaces, but premium houses where everything has been carefully considered – from the interiors and comfort to the different spaces where guests can gather, relax or enjoy activities together. At the same time, we offer many of the services one would normally associate with a hotel, from private chefs and nannies to yoga classes, sports coaches, wine tastings and tailor-made experiences.
Maison Lumière was the very first house in the collection and instantly embodied everything we had envisioned.
How would you describe the atmosphere at Maison Lumière?
Maison Lumière feels like a true family home. Despite its generous size, it never feels overwhelming or impersonal.
The property originally belonged to a Japanese family, and the owner was both a photographer and painter. The artistic spirit and wonderful quality of light that characterise the Fontainebleau region can still be felt throughout the house. Large windows flood the interiors with sunlight, while beautiful views open onto the surrounding countryside.
The atmosphere is elegant and refined, yet relaxed and welcoming. There are many cosy corners, whether by the pool, beneath the large trees in the meadow or curled up with a book on a bench under the shade. It is a place where guests naturally slow down and enjoy being together.
What makes Maison Lumière so special to you?
What I love most is that the house is full of charm and personality. The climbing ivy covering the façades, the magnificent trees, the beautiful light and the countless quiet corners all contribute to its atmosphere. There is always another place to sit, read, share a meal or simply enjoy the surroundings.
Despite its scale, it retains the warmth and intimacy of a true family home. That balance between elegance and comfort is what makes Maison Lumière so special.
