Hotel de L'Alpage

A Piece of France in Japan

Embedded in the majestic landscape of the Tateshina Plateau in the heart of the Nagano prefecture, the Hotel de L'Alpage offers an incomparable mixture of French refinement and Japanese natural beauty. Characterised by the professional and private connections of his parents to France, the hotel owner Hirosuke Tobe has created a French manor house as a refuge more than 10,000 kilometres away from the French Alps.

The term "L'Alpage" is borrowed from the French Alps and designates the green plateaus which are full of life in summer. Inspired by this thought, the hotel was created with the desire to offer an authentic French experience - not only in the fine details but in the whole architectural and design philosophy as well as in the restaurant, the bar and the exquisite wine cellar with fine wines. The hotel with only 12 luxurious guest rooms deliberately deviates from the conventional Japanese building style and is a testimony to French architecture in its solidity. The combination of solid stone walls, high ceilings and large window fronts lends the rooms a spacious environment which is flooded with light. The view of the surrounding nature is reinforced by curved balconies and elegant terraces which are reminiscent of classic French villas. Every architectural detail reflects the aesthetics of the 18th and 19th century - from the sparkling, antique chandeliers to the perfectly colour coordinated Farrow & Ball wallpaper. A special highlight is the library with rare books from the private collection of the hotel owner. The focus in on art, design and architecture - an oasis of inspiration for connoisseurs and aesthetes. The artistic details of the interior design, from the handmade wood panelling to the original French fireplaces, emphasise the concept of a stylish, historic retreat.

The LS 990 switch range in matt snow white was selected for the hotel rooms, which blends naturally with the colours of the room and enhances the whole interior with its discrete presence. In contrast, the colour scheme of the LS 990 range in matt graphite black emphasises the elegant atmosphere of the bar and restaurant and harmonises with the carefully designed interior. The Hotel de L'Alpage is more than just a luxurious hideaway - it is an homage to the French "joie de vivre" or hospitality in Japanese: Omotenashi.