In 1881, as a testament to his love for his wife Marthe, Charles Boulart had a chateau built on the highest point in Biarritz… a chateau that “through its beauty, majesty, originality, solidity and modern comfort transcends all other buildings surrounding it”. And so La Folie Boulart emerged, right in the middle of the Spanish quarter, not far from the superb Côte des Basques beach in Biarritz. A chateau straight from the pages of a history book where both the stylish elegance and audacious spirit of Belle Époque Biarritz have been rekindled within its captivating atmosphere.

Now this 19th century treasure has regained the sumptuousness of its early years thanks to the meticulous restoration orchestrated by the owners, Brigitte and Pierre Delalonde. Four years of work to reveal the hidden treasures: stained glass triptych, marble columns, mosaics, sculptures, frescos, intricate stonework and paneling.

Resetting a historical, listed gem like La Folie Boulart does not end with the purely architectural aspect. Once the existing shell has been preserved and restored, particular care was given to the decoration and furnishings. To face this very challenging but oh-so vital mission, the owners sought out the expertise of a heritage curator, specialized in this period, at one of France’s major museums. This connoisseur of 19th century Decorative Arts guided the choice of furniture to ensure that it’s in keeping with the original setting and true to the style of La Folie Boulart’s epoch.

The result is spectacular but without any futile ostentation. La Folie Boulart is both a cultural landmark and a comfortable house with a warm, friendly atmosphere. Here is true French luxury.

The vast chateau, covering 2,500m², has eight bedrooms with surface areas ranging from 45 to 110 square metres and can welcome 14 guests
both adults and children. All the rooms have their own bathroom with marble walk-in shower, bathtub and hand basins. Each room is stunningly decorated and furnished with unique, period items acquired at auctions or selected with the utmost care from antique dealers. Luxury bedding, walls fitted with sound systems, hideaway TV, individual iPads to supervise home automation, mini-bar, daily selection of freshly-prepared appetizers and light bites… everything has been considered down to the smallest detail.
Outside, endless views from the terraces and balconies of the ocean and Basque Country mountains provide a boundless invitation to recharge one’s batteries, breathe in the fresh air and soak up the good vibes.

Since the end of the 19th century, the chateau has hosted the rich and famous as High Society flocked to Biarritz, a town that still today attracts international attention. The reception rooms have been designed to dazzle. Amazing chandeliers grace the very beautiful, painted ceilings while a rich collection of paintings, mirrors and objects d’art adorn the rooms; the walls are exquisitely stenciled with patterns typical of the epoch.

Contemporary touches intertwine with rare objects, like the billiard table that once belonged to the Lumière brothers, acquired from the Drouot auction house catalogues. A large reception room opens out onto ocean views, just next to the lounge bar with a golden, metallic countertop, a billiard room, sitting rooms and secret boudoirs. The chateau’s garden is a wonderful place to enjoy in nice weather, for relaxing, reading, meditating and sunbathing. The classical antiquity-inspired sunken garden with its fountains and centuries-old trees is the perfect place to contemplate, read or share private thoughts with friends.

Of course, it goes without saying that the Boulart chateau only seeks out the best. So the owner called upon Jean-Marie Gautier, the Michelin star chef formerly at the Hôtel du Palais and also awarded the accolade Meilleur Ouvrier de France, to act as consultant chef. He treats guests to an extraordinary culinary experience that showcases an outstandingly rich array of local, seasonal produce. Impossible to resist his carpaccio of scallops with citrus fruit, algae-steamed sea bass with Aquitaine caviar, crispy leeks and langoustine broth… but don’t stop there. Try the Mont Blanc dessert revisited with yuzu zest concocted by his son, pastry chef Sylvain Gautier, who earned his stripes at the Crillon and Plaza Athénée in Paris. The Chef’s creations are prepared at the guests’ request, from breakfast to dinner, including tea-time delights. The chateau’s wine cellar is stocked with carefully selected fine wines.

Under the atrium, a world of wellness La Folie Boulart is the ideal place to recharge your batteries and enjoy some Me Time. The chateau doesn’t only offer a journey through time, it pulls out all the stops to ensure that guests are welcomed in the most pleasant way. Under the glazed atrium, the chateau has a perfectly equipped spa including an 8.50m long pool on the basement level. How about swimming a couple of lengths of breaststroke or crawl, or an aquagym lesson with a trainer? Guests can take the opportunity of doing some sport, relaxing in the hammam or sauna and enjoying a bespoke massage. La Folie Boulart has all the ingredients to enable guests to unwind, ease away the effects of stress and focus on themselves in order to restore vitality, beauty and dynamism and, above all, have fun.

For a minimum duration of 2 nights and a maximum number of 14 people, La Folie Boulart reserves the private use of the whole chateau so that guests can enjoy its exceptional situation. The chateau is available for private stays with family or friends, for corporate events and also for celebrations such as weddings, christenings, etc.

Reviving the Boulart family’s tradition of hospitality, the chateau’s concierge provides an outstanding service worthy of the greatest European palaces. A butler, concierge, housekeeper, cleaning services, headwaiter at mealtimes and private chauffeur are also inconspicuously available.

LA FOLIE BOULART
12 allée du château
64200 BIARRITZ FRANCE
www.lafolieboulart.fr