The Living Witness
A legacy of healing spanning three centuries, where time has left its most gentle footprints.
1853: Born from Healing
As early as 1853, the Marianists established the Domaine du Mesnil here. At that time, it was an agricultural colony dedicated to housing and training underprivileged youth. Gardening, arboriculture, and the fresh mountain air (Grand Air) have been embedded in the DNA of this land since then.
1930: Breathing with the Peaks
With the construction of this Neo-Basque villa in 1930, the architect transformed the 19th-century philanthropic gene into a modern residential philosophy. The four-story grand structure and the red timber-framing mimicking Basque traditions represented the ultimate pursuit of nature and health by the elite of the time.
A Sanctuary in Wartime
During the dark years between 1939 and 1945, its hidden geographical advantage made it a refuge for the wounded and homeless children. It served as a field hospital and orphanage, welcoming those forgotten by the world.
A Legacy of Guardianship
The building was held for a long time by a pair of women. In those conservative times, their protection of the house was not just material, but a steadfast defense of independence and dignity. Today, we continue this commitment, guarding a peace that spans three centuries.
