By Anthony Paletta
The British architect Edwin Lutyens was a stylistic polymath. While he is closely associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, he demonstrated his ability to work in various architectural styles. From Queen Anne style (The Salutation in Kent) to Art Deco (100 King Street in Manchester) and even medieval style architecture (Castle Drogo in Devon, which happens to be the last castle to be built in England), Lutyens proved his versatility.
Lutyens is also well-known for his work outside the UK. In India, he played a key role in designing New Delhi, including the Viceroy’s House (now the presidential palace). He also worked in Ireland, the US, and South Africa. Although many may recognize his grand First World War monuments in France, such as the Thiepval Memorial, his residential commissions in the country have often been overlooked.
One such residential commission is Château Lérins, a 19-bedroom estate located in the south of France, which is now available on the market for €25mn. Originally a sheepfold, the château was transformed into a monastery in the 17th century by the monks of the nearby Îles de Lérins. It was later remodeled by Lutyens at the request of Guillaume Mallet, an heir to a French banking fortune, whom he had met while working on the British pavilion for the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris. Prior to Château Lérins, Lutyens had already completed two buildings for Mallet in Normandy.
The transformation of the château by Lutyens was remarkable. As art historian Emmanuel Ducamp describes it, “Lutyens cleverly disguised the old building, adding on to it on either side and transforming it into a grand and yet simple classical house.” Notably, loggias and balconies were added to provide breathtaking views of the Bay of Cannes and the mountains of the Esterel Massif and the Mediterranean Sea.
The interior of the château has fewer documented details by Lutyens compared to his other buildings. However, according to architecture writer Michael Hanson, certain features such as the double-height arched entrance hall, checkerboard floor, panelled library, and large drawing room with a marble fireplace bear the unmistakable hallmarks of Lutyens’ work. The Edwardian sleeping balconies adjacent to the main bedrooms, a common feature in many Lutyens houses, are also present. Additionally, the external decorative details on the doors and windows match Lutyens’ sketches, and the terraced gardens and stone steps around the house reflect the architect’s design.
In addition to its architectural splendor, Château Lérins offers a range of amenities including a large swimming pool, pool house, tennis court, gym, caretaker’s house, and a pétanque court, which is typical in the south of France. The property is adorned with ancient olive trees estimated to be 1,000 years old.
Over the years, Château Lérins changed hands and had various owners, including Frederick Glyn, Fourth Baron Wolverton, and French film producer Bernard Chevry. It is also said that Napoleon spent a night at the château before heading north after his return from exile in 1815. Now, the property presents a unique opportunity for a new owner to be part of the storied history that spans several centuries.
Photography: Côte d’Azur Sotheby’s International Realty
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