Romantic hideout for Stargazer in a disused water tower in France
A converted water tower offers unique accommodation for guests in a village on the historical Camino de Santiago. Not only pilgrims are welcome to spend a night in the former water tank, where the so-called "Star Room" (chambre stellaire) is hidden.
In addition to a spectacular terrace with 360° panoramic views, a circular porthole above the bed provides a clear view of the night sky.
The façade of the windowless circular building, whose floors are connected by an elevator, is decorated with colourful wall paintings entitled "On the way to the stars". The frescoes thematize regional ties and recreate the decommissioned concrete tower as a work of art.
In the middle of the rural Gascony on the church square of a village typical of the region, the municipality has opened up a new perspective on the picturesque village with its 500 inhabitants by opening an unusual guest room in its former water tower.
Built in the 1930s, the water reservoir with its height of more than 10 metres dominates most of the buildings in the municipality. In the form of a champagne cork (top wide, bottom narrow) the circular formwork concrete construction comprises three living floors, which have found space in the old water tanks and are connected with each other by a specially designed lift.
On the ground floor there is a kitchen and dining area, while on the first floor a bathroom made of polished concrete with WC is situated.
The highlight forms the bedroom on the second floor, which has a special feature: a circular window in the ceiling, through which the stars can be observed from the double bed (160 cm wide) of the sky and in clear nights. A telescope is also available on request, which not only inspires amateur astronomers. The ceiling hatch is almost light-tight, so that you can sleep in absolute darkness in the otherwise windowless rooms if necessary.
An outside staircase leads from the bedroom to the roof terrace, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the vineyards of Armagnac. Two deck chairs are available so that overnight guests can enjoy the view while lying down. In addition, the terrace is equipped with a table and two chairs, so that you can enjoy your meals in the open air.
In consideration of ecology and cultural heritage, both insulating and environmentally friendly materials like hemp and earth were used for the insulation and interior walls of the technical monument.
Jean-Paul Chambas's artistic design presents the exterior wall as an open-air gallery visible from afar. The all-round fresco was created by the figurative painter as a journey through time and space and takes up numerous regional motifs. For example, shoes as the most important pilgrim's props and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela are the theme of the Camino. In addition, a colourful medley of sunflowers, trapeze artists, rugby, belmondo, geese and chickens romps about as local allusions on the curved wall.
Really an exciting accommodation that is worth more than a stopover! The star room in the water tower is particularly popular with couples, pilgrims, hobby astronomers, romantics and art lovers.
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