A striking structure of aluminum and steel, designed by Jean Prouvé in 1958, finds its new home amid the olive and pine trees of Saint-Paul-de-Vence in southern France. This meticulously restored dwelling, originally built for a notary in Epfig, Alsace, overlooks the historic ramparts of the hilltop village where artists like Chagall once roamed. At the famed La Colombe d’Or nearby, paintings still hang, exchanged long ago in place of a bill.
The Journey of the Architectural Gem
Hubert Bonnet acquired the historical Prouvé house in December 2021, rescuing it from impending demolition. The structure was carefully dismantled, transported to Nancy for restoration under the guidance of Prouvé historian Catherine Coley, and then reassembled in its picturesque new setting. This residence spans 115 square meters, featuring two bedrooms, a kitchen flowing onto the lawn, and interiors adorned with Prouvé’s own furnishings, as well as works by Charlotte Perriand, Le Corbusier, and George Nakashima.
This meticulously restored dwelling, designed by Jean Prouvé, shares its modernist spirit with a mid-century marvel’s stunning transformation in West Vancouver, offering new insights into classic design revitalization.
Jean Prouvé, trained in Nancy, embraced modernist architecture as a modular system. After World War II, he designed homes that could be erected quickly, crafting demountable houses in response to dire post-war needs. About 400 such homes were constructed under orders from Raoul Dautry, though many have since vanished. By 2007, the market for Prouvé’s works soared, with a desk priced at €200,000 and a 1944 emergency house at €280,000. The Saint-Paul-de-Vence house, however, was designed for a more leisurely lifestyle—one of only five such residences created between 1958 and 1961.
Bonnet, who acquired his first Donald Judd piece in 1990, expanded his collection to include minimal and conceptual art through dealer François Laffanour, eventually venturing into architectural acquisitions. Under the umbrella of Les Maisons CAB, he now owns and rents a dozen unique residences. These include a 1936 villa by Louis-Herman De Koninck on the Belgian coast and reimagined spaces across Europe, each furnished with influential pieces and opened for guest stays.
The Prouvé residence is not a mere historical exhibit; it has been thoughtfully modified by an unnamed architect according to Bonnet’s vision. The home features vaulted rooms with open garden access, enhanced by contemporary art installations by artists like Viallat and Dezeuze. The estate covers 3,881 square meters, inclusive of a 1980s pool adorned with a mural by Claudia Comte, offering ample space for gatherings.
Nearby, Fondation CAB hosts artists seasonally and lies within an eight-minute drive, while Fondation Maeght, famed for its Giacometti sculptures, is also close. Besides this property, Prouvé’s houses are primarily found in public collections or private estates like Château La Coste, which also offers accommodation.
Bonnet’s decision to rent these houses stems from practicality rather than profitability. Instead of storing his collections, he opts to display them in lived-in spaces, believing the luxury of time spent among art is more valuable. He expresses this, stating, “Life is short. I have to make the best of it.”
The Prouvé residence’s unique blend of art and architecture draws parallels with a Bellevue Hill home’s transformation using curved concrete and lush gardens, emphasizing harmony with nature.
He has personally stayed in each property, relishing the isolated simplicity they offer. Maison Prouvé 58, alongside Le Clos du Père François, is available for rental through Les Maisons CAB. This experience, Bonnet notes, lets one embrace the philosophy of immersion, “to think differently” when “stuck” in a place of beauty and history.
Sources & Links
Source: wallpaper.com
Frequently asked questions
Where is the restored Prouvé house located?
The restored Prouvé house is located amid the olive and pine trees of Saint-Paul-de-Vence in southern France, overlooking the historic ramparts of the hilltop village.
Who oversaw the restoration of the Prouvé house?
The restoration of the Prouvé house was guided by Prouvé historian Catherine Coley.
What is unique about the Prouvé residence in Saint-Paul-de-Vence?
The Prouvé residence is unique because it combines modernist architecture with contemporary art installations and features vaulted rooms with open garden access, becoming both a historical exhibit and a lived-in space.
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