News

Introducing the British Country Estates Collection

Art de Vivre presents the grandest country homes and estates for rental in Britain, in our brand new British Country Estates Collection. As a British company, we are extremely proud to be representing these prestigious properties that demonstrate the best of heritage, culture and hospitality in the British Isles.

The vast selection of unique experiences available at these estates provide long-lasting memories at these fantastic historical locations. The British countryside is famed for its balance of wilderness and maintained land. Often a focus of historical literature, the backdrop of these estates features maintained private land with expansive rural views. Clearly these private lands are perfect for walks and the local landmarks and peaks are ideal for a more adventurous hike. Corrour Lodge is a modern Scottish revival of a Victorian hunting lodge with the peaks and Loch Ossian nearby making it best suited for guests who love the outdoors.

Traditional rural sports and game hunting is a unique offering at these private estates, whether it be the well sought-after Salmon fishing at Gordon Castle, deer stalking at Aldourie Castle or game shooting at historical estates such as Althorp House. With award-winning shoots and fishing stays, our properties exhibit the best and most traditional backdrops for these distinctive experiences.

Country homes with their vast capacity and hospitality are often used for celebrations. These homes make the perfect venue for banquets, balls, weddings, product launches and parties. The restored estates with a more opulent and modern approach tend to host the most special events. Aynhoe Park on the edge of the Cotswolds provides an ideal setting for events with its hybrid of modern art collections and taxidermy with the historical house and furnishings.

Scotch whisky is world renown and the whisky experiences offered in our new Country Homes collection explores the pinnacle of quality whisky. Enjoy a personal guided whisky tour through the lesser-known whisky distilleries of Scotland. Gordon Castle is a short trip from the Speyside distilleries and lesser-known single grain distilleries.

Plenty of outdoor competitive sports are on offer in the expanse of these estates and iconic sporting arenas are within a short drive from many of the country estates. Candacraig is nearby Royal Aberdeen, Fraserburgh and Trump International golf courses ranked among some of the best golf courses in Scotland. Many other sports are available on the grounds of the estates, such as cricket and local teams can be called on for spectator sports or the grounds can be used for a private game. For those interested in motorsports, Goodwood estate is host of the festival of speed and features their legendary motor racing circuit.

Ultimately the heritage of these properties adds the most prestige. The experience of a private estate that’s retained its history and cultural collections is an important part of the country homes experience. Whether it be the hundreds of artworks and paintings of gentry, nobility and monarchs or the personal furnishings of a proud British dynasty. The restoration and maintenance of these extraordinary homes coupled with the generous hospitality grants that your stay is the very best of British heritage.

 

Our British Country Estates Collection are perfect for events or quiet retreats with traditional experiences. Most of these properties are known for their vast historical heritage, household staff providing the best service in the world and the authentic and unique British experience. We look forward to arranging your country estate stay, please do get in touch.

Interview with Julie Gauthier, Founder

One17 is an architectural practice that produces a fantastic quarterly cultural magazine for its high-net-worth clients. The publication is called 'One17 Notes' and we are proud to have been featured in their latest issue.

Kevin Drayton, the magazine founder and One17 partner, was intrigued by our company and story and decided to run a 4-page interview with our founder, Julie Gauthier. The extensive interview goes into plenty of detail on our team, process and ethos too.

The interview is accompanied by some stunning high-definition images of our properties and, as soon as we saw the printed copy at last week's’ cocktail party, we were excited to post it online.

Here are links to two documents, one features just our article, for those who want to read it for themselves and the other features the whole magazine by One17 for anyone who wants to read the rest of their fantastic fourth issue.

 

London Yacht, Jet and Prestige Car Show Cocktail Party

Prestige cars welcoming visitors to the London Yacht, Jet and Prestige Car Show

Prestige cars welcoming visitors to the London Yacht, Jet and Prestige Car Show

With the introduction of our new services in yacht and private jet charters this past year and after the success of the London Boat Show, we looked forward to the London Yacht, Jet & Prestige Car Show this week. The trade show presents a range of luxury transport products and solutions in Old Billingsgate, a prestigious Thames-side exhibition venue. 

Sun greeted our team as we made our way to the show on its opening day. This year the show exhibited plenty of modern concepts such as drone videography, digital travel chartering solutions and philanthropy consultants. The stars of the show was naturally the vast array of glossy sports cars and boat engines.

Julie and Sacha Gauthier welcoming partners and new faces to Art de Vivre's new properties and services

Julie and Sacha Gauthier welcoming partners and new faces to Art de Vivre's new properties and services

Beautiful luxury hamper prize provided by Gordon Castle

With our new show banner displaying the variety and quality of the properties in our collection, we set up near the centre stage for the upcoming party. Gordon Castle, a beautiful Scottish property in our debuting British country homes collection, kindly provided a luxury prize for the evening; a beautiful luxury hamper. The Gordon Castle Walled Garden hamper contained their new range of products from the Gordon Castle estate including a bottle of award-winning Gordon Castle gin and from the Herb Garden and Orangery, a salt scrub, shampoo, candle and luxury hand soap. 

Julie Gauthier presenting Gordon Castle hamper to winner Kevin Drayton, One17 with team Matthew Lee and Kerry Doyle

Julie Gauthier presenting Gordon Castle hamper to winner Kevin Drayton, One17 with team Matthew Lee and Kerry Doyle

Gordon Castle Luxury Hamper Prize with beautiful products from The Gordon Castle Walled Garden

Gordon Castle Luxury Hamper Prize with beautiful products from The Gordon Castle Walled Garden

Art de Vivre team, Jasmine and Sacha Gauthier, enjoying cocktails

Art de Vivre team, Jasmine and Sacha Gauthier, enjoying cocktails

When the prize giving came around, team member, Sacha quickly entered at the last moment and won Linn’s prize of 6 months of Tidal membership. Kevin Drayton from One17 won our Gordon Castle luxury hamper prize; the lifestyle publication that accompanies their architectural practice recently published a Q&A with our founder, Julie Gauthier. The night was a great success for introducing ourselves to new potential clients and other luxury brands and services. The canapés and the beautiful Vodka cocktails were delicious and ensured everyone was in high spirits all evening.

Delicious cocktails and canapés

Delicious cocktails and canapés

Beautiful cocktail location at Old Billingsgate looking over London Yacht, Jet and Prestige Car Show

Beautiful cocktail location at Old Billingsgate looking over London Yacht, Jet and Prestige Car Show

A great event with plenty of friendly faces and good weather, we couldn't have asked for more. Art de Vivre was proud to sponsor the cocktail party and looks forward to future events with like-minded brands and services. The London Yacht, Jet and Prestige Car Show is still ongoing and the weather for this week is stunning, so we encourage you to give it a visit.

Yachts, Diamonds and a VIP Charity Raffle

Art de Vivre were extremely honoured to be involved in the London Boat Show 2016 and to support Sunseeker London’s chosen charity  Princess Alexandra Hospital breast cancer trials helping them raise £35,000. We would like to thank the many generous visitors who took part in the charity raffle and silent auction. Art de Vivre were delighted to offer the Golden Raffle prize of a 7 night stay in the stunning Li-Al-Do Maison, one of our finest Seychelles luxury properties, kindly donated by its owner. Items in the auction included a signed Tracey Emin print and a rare Pure Evil print. The winners can enjoy these prizes, knowing they have helped a great cause. 

Julie & Jasmine Gauthier, Art de Vivre at LBS 2016

Julie & Jasmine Gauthier, Art de Vivre at LBS 2016

PAH NHS Trust Charitable fund raised £35,000

PAH NHS Trust Charitable fund raised £35,000

Sunseeker kindly hosted an invitation only party for the charity in their VIP lounge nestled amongst the largest yachts. This VIP space has a welcoming atmosphere with deep sofas, crew manned bar and dotted with intricate models of the Sunseeker yacht range. Our team also admired the design and craftsmanship of the Boodles counter with its Patek Philippe men’s watch collection and for the ladies, beautiful diamond necklaces, bracelets and rings. The party kicked off at 6pm with an electric string trio playing some classical and contemporary hits live. The owner of Li-Al-Do Maison flew in from Italy as an honorary guest to the private VIP event and experienced a private tour of the very best of Sunseeker’s yachts, stating their favourite as Stardust, an 86 ft yacht available for charter. The show was followed by the champagne and canapés whilst networking with everybody involved in the charity and raffle. 

Welcoming owner of Li Al Do Maison to VIP charity party at Sunseeker stand, London Boat Show 2016 - Art de Vivre

Welcoming owner of Li Al Do Maison to VIP charity party at Sunseeker stand, London Boat Show 2016 - Art de Vivre

Jasmine and Julie Gauthier with Victoria Gerlis, PAH

Jasmine and Julie Gauthier with Victoria Gerlis, PAH

Art de Vivre at VIP charity event at LBS 2016

Art de Vivre at VIP charity event at LBS 2016

Sacha Gauthier, Art de Vivre at London Boat Show 2016

Sacha Gauthier, Art de Vivre at London Boat Show 2016

Art de Vivre staff enjoyed the 10 days participation immensely, working alongside the charity and the friendly and dynamic Sunseeker staff whilst being able to chat to visitors about our villa collection. Sunseeker’s hospitality was exceptional and Art de Vivre made friends with Sunseeker staff from London to the many hot Mediterranean locations. Another highlight for Julie was to welcome Art de Vivre’s Chinese business partner to tour the beautiful yachts and watch her admiration of the high level of marine craftsmanship and design.

Much like our fundraising, the show itself was a huge triumph. Thousands of visitors to London’s ExCel Centre were treated to tours of some of the finest yachts in the world, courtesy of Sunseeker and other yacht manufacturers like Princess and Pearl. The most stunning was possibly the Sunseeker 131, named after it’s 131-feet length, this huge motor superyacht is the largest boat to debut at the London Boat Show - so immense that it had to be exhibited by-appointment on the river. Accommodating up to twelve guests in sublime surroundings, the sheer scale and layout of this immense tri-deck yacht is awe-inspiring. Expertly finished using ultra-modern materials and techniques, the 131 Yacht is one of the finest examples of modern day motor boat building. The main deck features a lounge, separate dining area and full galley, while on the upper deck you’ll find the sky lounge, cocktail bar and access to the skydeck; where comfort and lavishness reach new levels. The largest yacht on the Sunseeker stand itself was the 86 ft Yacht called Stardust. A seductive combination of style and exclusivity, the 86 stood tall at the Sunseeker stand, with constant queues to experience a tour around the impressive vessel.

The show was a great display of British marine engineering and design. Nearly all of the marine companies present were UK based and exporting around the world.

Being a part of such a large-scale prestigious event was very exciting for the Art de Vivre team as it gave us the opportunity to work with our lovely friends at Sunseeker, to spend valuable quality time with our clients, support the charity and to experience the pivotal British marine industry for ourselves. 

 

If you are interested in chartering a yacht, please do get in contact with us via email or call us on +44 (0) 1296 334138, so we can discuss your request. We have combined yacht chartering with villa stays for many of our clients.

Art de Vivre are proud to be at The London Boat Show 2016

Here at Art de Vivre we are busy preparing for this year’s London Boat Show, from 8th to 17th January 2016. Located at the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands we will be beside Sunseeker’s large and impressive stand volunteering with the PAH charity raffle. When the Princess Alexandra Hospital breast-cancer trials charity needed a grand prize for their raffle this year, we were proud to offer a 7 night stay at one of our top luxury Seychelles properties Li-Al-Do Maison as the Golden Raffle Prize.

Li-Al-Do Maison is a stunning oceanfront 4 bedroom property in Takamaka, Mahé, Seychelles. Our founder Julie Gauthier has been working with its Italian owner for over 10 years and has had many repeat clients coming back year after year. Ideal for families and groups of friends Li-Al-Do Maison’s staff and its location are its highlights. 

We have always found the London Boat Show to be an exciting event and are proud to see so many British maritime businesses present together. When we heard from The Luxury Network partner Sunseeker London that we could be involved in this huge event and make a positive contribution to the PAH charity we jumped at the chance of getting involved.

For those of you attending The London Boat Show 2016, we really look forward to seeing you at our dedicated PAH stand next to Sunseeker and invite you to enter the charity raffle to have a chance of winning one of the fantastic prizes that have been donated to PAH.

If you have any more questions for us, feel free to comment below or drop us an email. We look forward to seeing you there.