More Than a Place to Stay
From Noam Normandy to Villa Junot, this is the story of the people, places, and memories that reminded us why Autre & Part was never just about the villa.
A few days ago, I was standing on the cliffs of Étretat watching the sun disappear into the sea when I realized I had spent years imagining this moment.
I wasn't imagining the cliffs themselves. I was imagining the feeling of watching an idea I'd carried for so long begin to take shape in the real world.
What followed was a week I'll be thinking about for a very long time.
Meeting Our Founding Partners
Kimani and I spent the past several days meeting some of our founding villa partners in person.
We walked the halls of Noam Normandy, a historic French château tucked into the countryside, with centuries of history built into its walls and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to slow down, play a game by the fire, wander through the surrounding fields, or spend an afternoon by the pond with a good book.
A few days later, we stepped inside Villa Junot, nestled in the heart of Montmartre, where winding cobblestone streets, artists' studios, and neighborhood cafés open up to sweeping views of Paris.
The Villa Junot team shared a few of their favorite spots around Montmartre, so we spent the afternoon wandering. We stopped for espresso and a croissant, admired Yann Couvreur's famous fox-shaped pastry, and explored the neighborhood our future guests will step into when they walk out the front door.
Standing inside these two homes, hearing the stories behind them, and meeting the people who have poured so much care into creating these experiences was one of the most meaningful parts of the entire trip.
A Detour to Étretat
One evening, after a long day of filming, Kimani and I got back in the car and headed toward Étretat.
We had spent months talking about the responsibility that comes with recommending a place. If our members were going to travel here, we wanted to experience it ourselves. Autre & Part has never been just about extraordinary homes. It is about experiencing a place through sight, taste, touch, sound and walking away with a memory you return to for the rest of your life.
More Than a Villa
As we drove along the Normandy coast, passing beaches, farmland, and villages, I kept thinking about the version of myself who first wrote this idea down years ago.
Looking back, I think she always knew why it mattered.
Life moves quickly. The people we love grow up, move away, get busier, and our calendars fill faster than we'd like.
Autre & Part isn't just about beautiful homes. It's about creating the space to gather, to experience beauty, and to make memories while we still can.
XO BG
We're building Autre & Part one villa, one partnership, and one memory at a time. Join our Founding Members list to follow along.