Jaeger-LeCoultre wants watch collectors to unwind in style.
The Swiss watchmaker just unveiled an elegant new country escape for guests of La Grande Maison. Located in the heart of Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux, Le Chalet is a 19th-century farmhouse that Jaeger-LeCoultre meticulously restored in order to accommodate the most discerning of horophiles in a fittingly luxurious fashion.
Perched on the western side of Mont Tendre at an altitude of nearly 4,500 feet, the chalet d’alpage (or “alpine chalet” in English) once belonged to a local cattle farmer but is now owned by the commune of Le Chenit. Jaeger-LeCoultre worked with the commune on the restoration project, not only preserving a historic gem of the valley but also giving it a new purpose.
Le Chalet is located on Les Chaumilles, a small grazing area surrounded by pristine pine forests and untouched green meadows. The chalet also overlooks Le Sentier and Lac de Joux, meaning guests enjoy incredible views from every vantage point.
Perhaps more importantly, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture in Le Sentier is less than 10 minutes’ drive away. Pierre LeCoultre took refuge in this idyllic region after fleeing France in the mid-16th century. Some 10 generations later, Antoine LeCoultre founded a watchmaking atelier that later became Jaeger-LeCoultre. Watchmakers have worked in the manufacture for almost two centuries, producing some of the world’s finest timepieces in the picturesque Swiss valley.
As with most traditional agricultural estates in the area, Le Chalet originally included a stable, a barn, and a cheese-making area. The layout has been updated for the 21st century, though many of the charming original details remain. The antique thuyé (pyramid-shaped chimney) has been beautifully restored, as has the centuries-old woodwork throughout. The decor is simple yet sophisticated, epitomising quiet luxury.
The main open-plan barn will serve as a space for dining and entertaining, with the nearby mezzanine lounge area a perfect spot for cocktails. The old milk room, which was once used for drying cheese, has been transformed into a contemporary kitchen where a chef will prepare meals for guests. The menus will focus on traditional recipes and seasonal ingredients from the valley, spotlighting local delicacies such as gooey Vacherin cheese.
Le Chalet will be reserved exclusively for visitors invited by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Manufacture.
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