The French Riviera is known for its glamour steeped in history. Many of the structures still harken back to an age when royalty started to escape to the picturesque setting. And while Côte d'Azur is a modern hot spot, neo-Palladian architecture is still very much in play. That is until a hotel will plant its roots in the heart of Cap-d'Ail, France.
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Called La Voile Blanche (aka The White Veil), the five-star property will resemble a spaceship more than a villa. The six-story building will be built into the hillside with the rooms and common spaces looking out onto the Mediterranean. Glass and open balconies will cover the exterior, and the fourth-floor infinity-edged pool will appear to guests to flow straight into the sea below.
But as much as there will be these more modern materials, the design also ensures there is a lot of greenery throughout, everywhere from the onsite restaurant and event spaces to the sun terrace feature green elements. Plus, the entire roof is covered in a garden.
The interior is equally striking with this modern-meets-nature vibe. Here you'll find a massive open space described as a "canyon" with floor to ceiling glass walls, transparent walkways, and a towering wall filled with greenery and falling water. And thanks to its openness, incredible natural light pours in. One lookup, and you'll feel as if you were transported to another planet.
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The hotel's vision is courtesy of Massimiliano, and Doriana Fuksas won an international competition to build the new hotel in the French Riviera. And as much as the natural elements add to the uniqueness of the property, the team also focused on creating an eco-friendly hotel. According to the plans, it will have zero environmental impact.
While this is one of the first high-design hotels in the area, it likely won't be the last. Architects are also working on redeveloping a portion of Monaco's coastline, not too far from La Voile Blanche.
