After a successful career in the financial, consulting and audio-visual, Eric Cachart and his wife Brigitte de Gastines (née de Turckheim) entered the world of luxury tourism.

- Was Curzay only a starting point in your hotel adventure?

Curzay came from a shared passion for the exceptional, harmonious places which encourage well-being. It was a desire to create something together. Curzay also developed through the synthesis of our mutual professional experiences. Step by step we have learnt our new trade, which is very demanding, with its own codes and customs, without ever failing to consider the customer's point of view on the running of the "house".
Verbier (Le Chalet d'Adrien) is first and foremost the result of a logical decision. It was necessary to find a winter place to balance our summer activities in Poitou. The love for Verbier and Valais and the opportunity to acquire an old Chalet is such a marvellous location did the rest.
From many perspective, luck is often God choosing to remain anonymous…

- Where did you get the name Chalet d'Adrien ?

From Brigitte's grandfather : ADRIEN de TURCKHEIM, he was crazy about cars and was a designer and driver for Dietrich Bollée between 1898 and 1905. In an account of his travels in 1903, he described a large wooden construction at the heart of Valais and forest that reminded him of his native Alsace. In some ways, we are continuing Adrien's dream. A dream passed on between generations of the family symbolised by the child's teddy bear in the logo.

- What are the main features of the mountain hotel?

First of all this is a chalet. It is as close as possible to Adrien account from the last century. it has the elegance, authenticity, charm and comfort that an establishment of this type needs. As at Curzay, we want our guests to be happy. The rooms, restaurants, Spa and children's play area are designed to meet the standards that we set for ourselves.

- Is the clientele different from that of the Château de Curzay ?

The clientele stays longer and comes from various countries. Curzay is a place of health, relaxation and calm and is more devoted to horse riding and cuisine. It is a natural environment for short stays enjoying golf, Marais Poitevin and Futuroscope.
Verbier is a holiday destination, generally to be visited with the family to enjoy skiing, the altitude and a change of scenery.

- How will you divide yourself between the two establishments ?

We are now fully engrossed in the daily life of our "homes" and especially that of our Chalet, which is in its first season. Verbier is open from 15 december to 20 April and Curzay from 1 April to 10 November. Each period of closure is useful for carrying out the necessary odd-jobs or other upkeep. Both establishments will be open simultaneously between 10 July and 20 Septembre but with very specific and distinct offers.

- What is the atmosphere at the Chalet d'Adrien
(luxurious and pleasing, charming and friendly...)?

Serene and intimate, etc. The most beautiful homage that we can give our customers is the welcome they get from us. They "feel at home". Each customer should be considered as an individual and should be served and welcomed as such. This is a the concept that the chairman of Relais & Châteaux defends strongly. Charm and courtesy are not only statements od belief. They are also the strength of smaller establishments.

- Is the team the same as the one at Curzay ?

We are lucky! 70% of the Curzay staff have also joined in the Verbier project. We have become Relais & Châteaux with them; we picked up the Michelin first star together. Each year we open the Chalet d'Adrien with the same team in the kitchen, in the room and at the reception. Naturally with some additions, but always the same spirit. We are executing a business project, but one which is also real social and human adventure.

- What are your future projects?

First to succeed at Verbier! Then reinforce Curzay, where we will celebrate the tri-centenary of the Château in 2010!
Afterwards, tere will be plenty of time to go over the travel accounts of our grandmothers, wheter in the city or at the beach...