Weekends At Le Chalet Olivet
We recently had the pleasure of stepping inside Alice Moireau’s enchanting French countryside holiday home, Le Chalet Olivet. We spoke with Alice about the history of the Chalet, the meticulous restoration process, her most cherished interiors and what a typical Summer weekend looks like at the residence.
Talk us through the history of Le Chalet Olivet and how you first discovered it.
Le Chalet Olivet is a private yet picturesque place to stay in the heart of the Loire Valley, built in 1862 by the Swiss Delegation to showcase the country's woodworking and carpentry skills. It was then presented alongside the Eiffel Tower at the Paris Universal Exposition in 1889. A merchant purchased, dismantled and reassembled it in Olivet on the banks of the Loiret.
In 2007, my mother, Valérie Roy, a painter residing in Olivet, received a postcard of the chalet from a friend dating back to the early century. She became determined to find it. By a twist of fate, it was up for sale. She bought the chalet on a whim to make it her painting studio and workplace. She passed away 2 years later.
Fifteen years later, my brother Emile Moireau and I decided to buy Le Chalet to create a unique place in the region, offering others the chance to experience our childhood lifestyle: a life by the river, green and peaceful. After nine months of renovations, Le Chalet Olivet opened its doors for the first time in June 2023.
The idea stemmed from my love for sharing the tranquillity and beauty of the countryside with others. Hosting friends and creating memorable moments for them in this serene environment inspired me to turn it into a hospitality project. I also didn't want Le Chalet to be sold and not owned by my family anymore. It was symbolic of my mum's painting work and her passing away.
The renovation of the Chalet lasted 9 months. How did you find this process creatively?
I loved it! Usually, I hear people talk about construction work or renovating their house, and they hate it. On my end, I found a true passion in the process. Nothing is more interesting than bringing the best artisans together and watching a project grow. I cherish those moments I spent with our worker's team and the discussions we had. It was also a bonding time for my family as everyone participated in the project. My brother helped with all the outdoors and renovated the terrasse himself. My dad designed some furniture and was a precious consultant along the way.
Le Chalet is brimming with charm and character. How did you ensure these qualities were preserved during the restoration process?
I decided to work only with high-quality French brands or manufacturers. For example, all the tiles are made by Winckelmans, an institution in France known for its 15x15cm tiles made in the north. They offer a wide range of colours and have excellent finishes. For the chairs in the living room, we designed and personalized their colours and shapes, working with Maison Grock using a typical French bistro chair as a base. They only work by hand out of a small workshop in Limoges.
Regarding the objects, I wanted to add a countryside touch using only vintage pieces I found at the local flea market in Orleans. I think the charm and character come from this mix of French know-how and vintage qualitative pieces.
What are some of your most cherished pieces around Le Chalet and why?
Thrifting is the most exciting part of it all, and there are some incredible pieces in and around Le Chalet. My favourite ones are a wooden armchair from the Art Brut movement, a 1930s mirror in the bedroom, a 1960s pocket organizer in the kitchen, a traditional bathtub and our wooden boat for private tours on the river!
What does a typical summer weekend at Le Chalet look like?
9am - wake up with the birds singing in the fresh garden, a coffee by the terrasse
10am - little stop at the local bakery where they make sourdough bread and delicious brioche
10.30am - petit déjeuner with treats brought back from the bakery
11am - reading session in the garden
12pm - cooking lunch with local vegetables (white asparagus is a must) and French products like goat cheeses and pâté
1pm - lunchtime by the river
3pm - quick nap in the shade on the grass
4pm - a walk by the Bords du Loiret right next to the house where you can discover all the little houses or a local ride on the river with our own boat or a tour of the Loire Valley castles
7pm - Apéro by the water with the swans, drinking wine from the cellar shop, eating cherry tomatoes and charcuterie
8pm - dinner with friends enjoying the last lights of the day
We’ve noticed your passion and love for food and cooking. Do you have a favourite go-to Summer recipe?
I love to make Pissaladière with a fresh green salad - it’s a typical recipe from the south of France with homemade short pastry, onion compote, anchovies and black olives. A true people-pleaser recipe!
