JEWEL in the CROWN

A historic building with royal connections has been restored by Belgian owner Gaëlle Gevers to create a home where three generations can gather

- RACHEL LEEDHAM

Situated on Île de Ré, an island off the west coast of France, the home of Gaëlle Gevers is a true jewel within the historic port town of Saint-Martin-de-Ré. ‘The house was built in 1586 by the future king of France, Henry IV, for his mistress Esther Imbert,’ says Gaëlle, who immediately fell for the building’s charms when she first viewed it four years ago. ‘You enter through a discreet gate and suddenly you have a 16th-century forecourt in front of you; it is breathtaking,’ she explains.

The building hadn’t been renovated for decades, but Gaëlle was undeterred. ‘I have a life-long passion for interior design and I could see how the spaces could be changed to pull in more light and improve the volumes. I worked with the listed buildings officers to preserve the historic facade, and I was able to sensitively alter the west- and south-facing facades as well as completely remodel the interiors.’