During my recent photoshoot at the magnificent Les Hauts de Sancerre I learned about the heart of this transformation which is the sacred terroir of Sancerre itself, home to some of the world’s most revered Sauvignon Blancs. The château rises above rolling vineyards that have long produced wines of piercing clarity and mineral grace with interiors so breathtaking, minimal, and so pure. What was once only a dream is becoming a bold new chapter for the now owners David Chicard and his wife Audrey Dumont. In July 2025, Les Hauts de Sancerre unveiled the château’s rebirth as a five-star haven of refinement. Eight elegantly designed suites, a gourmet pop-up restaurant, a tranquil wellness space, and a wine library nestled in the château’s original 12th-century cellar mark the first phase of a vision that marries heritage with hedonism. The château’s suites are reimagined by interior designer Jerome Lescrenier who preserved the soul of the place while infusing it with quiet, contemporary elegance. Every corner reflects a deep respect for the château’s heritage — with light, space, and noble materials handled with remarkable sensitivity. Artistic direction by Stanislas de Pouches brings a bold curatorial layer to the project. For the inaugural season, Belgian textile artist Emma Terweduwe unveils fifteen woven works in wool, linen, and cotton — tactile, abstract, and deeply moving. And young belgium Chef Arnaud Munster with his La Table d ‚Arnaud offers a signature cuisine rooted in local terroir elevated by a touch of modernity. Les Hauts de Sancerre is a lived experience of art, design, and soul but also a tribute—to wine, to heritage, and to the courage of dreaming wildly. The vines are still growing. The story is just beginning. And I am over the moon to have been able to capture this gem despite the continuous rain!
