The Story: From Normandy to Sancerre — In Search of Refined, Understated Elegance //// Jordan Feilders /// Amid the rolling vineyards of Sancerre, the Château de Thauvenay rises like a promise—an invitation to escape and immerse oneself in the French art of living. The estate offers tranquility, where time slows and each day is gently cradled by the discreet luxury of nature and history. The Château de Thauvenay was born from a desire to build, to preserve the timeless elegance of history, and to offer a sanctuary from the everyday. It is a natural continuation of an adventure that began in Normandy with Riverside House. This 1893 bourgeois residence, lovingly restored in 2017, has become a cherished retreat where friends, family, and collaborators come together to enjoy special moments on the banks of the Seine. The activities offered at Thauvenay celebrate the region: peaceful bike rides through the hills, gentle boat trips down the Loire, private sauna sessions, yoga and Pilates retreats in a dedicated studio—all nestled within a three-hectare park. It is also an ideal setting for off-sites, photoshoots, or enriching seminars. At Château de Thauvenay, every moment becomes a lasting memory—just as unforgettable as the setting itself. What inspired me throughout this project, and during the two years of renovation, was the energy of being surrounded by artisans. I've always been deeply inspired by their skill and craftsmanship: roofers using ancestral tools to restore the frame and lay thousands of slate tiles, plasterers reviving historic moldings, electricians and plumbers weaving a modern network discreetly beneath the historical fabric, landscapers redrawing forgotten paths with Loire limestone, painters breathing life into walls, and carpenters restoring floors, doors, windows, and tables that now grace the château’s 40 rooms. Every chisel stroke, every brush of paint was a celebration of the past, welcoming modernity with grace. At Château de Thauvenay, I felt like a link in a historical chain—a key moment where human effort brought new life and brilliance to a remarkable place. It was along the Loire River that Napoleon’s Minister of the Interior—responsible for the beautification of Paris—rebuilt the Château de Thauvenay in 1800 for his daughter. Over the centuries, the château has been home to many aristocratic French families. In 2016, the Bollinger Group acquired the estate and integrated its vineyards into their wine house, Langlois-Château Hubert Brochard. At the end of 2021, with my business partner Emmanuel Diemoz, we acquired the château, which had long been awaiting its renaissance, with the aim of restoring its former glory and infusing it with a new elegance. A bottle of Sauvignon Blanc still proudly bears the name of the château today. Together with my wife, Tatiana Dupond, we shape the château’s artistic direction—always guided by the places that inspire us. We met 14 years ago while working in West Africa, and the off-the-beaten-path journey has always been ours. Now working in luxury and fashion communications, Tatiana is originally from Northern France and has a passion for Robert Mallet-Stevens’ Villa Cavrois, which she introduced me to. Other inspirations like Villa Necchi in Milan and Villa Lysis in Capri also influence our aesthetic choices—timeless spaces that serve as a compass for selecting colors, materials, and furnishings that define the château’s refined and understated elegance. I also had the privilege of working with my friend Gilles Tombeur, who was the architect behind both my restaurant Cantine California and Riverside House. His technical expertise was essential in transforming the château into a comfortable sanctuary where time seems to stand still. I am partnered on this project with Emmanuel Diemoz, former CEO of Balmain and now head of the design brand TOLIX. We share a passion for reviving traditional French elegance. For the pre-launch of the reedition of the T37 chair, originally designed in the 1930s, we collaborated with TOLIX, as well as on the creation of a custom brass wall sconce inspired by a 1920s ocean liner reading light. This collaboration adds a layer of authentic French craftsmanship and heritage to Château de Thauvenay. Today, the Château de Thauvenay finally belongs to each of its guests—offering a unique setting to create memories that, we hope, will last a lifetime.