Villa "Between sky and sea"

BETWEEN SKY AND SEA

"A FAMILY HOME SUSPENDED BETWEEN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AND THE HILLS OF EMPORDÀ"

There are places that quietly shape who we become, often without us even realising it.

For me, Calella de Palafrugell is one of those places.

As a child, every summer I would leave Paris to spend two months of the holidays in my mother's native village. The moment our car turned onto the winding roads lined with umbrella pines, I knew that the holidays had truly begun.

Two months of absolute freedom—swimming in hidden coves, walking the coastal paths, setting off on spontaneous fishing trips, and enjoying those endless summer evenings that seemed as though they would never come to an end.

Then came the day of departure.

Like so many children, I would leave with a heavy heart. Every year, it felt as though I was leaving behind a little piece of paradise.

Nearly fifty years later, that feeling has never faded.

My work as a documentary photographer regularly takes me around the world. I have been fortunate enough to discover some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth. Yet every time I return here, to this hill overlooking the Mediterranean, I experience exactly the same feeling I had as a child: the profound sense of arriving somewhere peaceful, somewhere that instantly feels like home.

It is that feeling we would like to share with you today.

• A HOUSE DESIGNED AROUND THE LANDSCAPE

In 1978, my parents decided to build their home on the highest hill overlooking the coastline of Calella de Palafrugell.

Nearly one hundred metres above sea level, at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac with virtually no traffic, they chose a site offering something exceptionally rare on the Costa Brava: uninterrupted views over two completely different landscapes.

To the east lies the Mediterranean.

To the west, the rolling hills of Empordà.

In the morning, daylight rises over the sea.

In the evening, the sun slowly disappears behind cork oaks and ancient olive trees.

Each day begins and ends like a performance of nature.

When we completely renovated the house in 2018, we had one simple ambition: to bring the landscape indoors.

The original windows were replaced with large, single-pane picture windows. It was an unusual architectural choice, but not merely an aesthetic one. We wanted every window to become a living painting.

The clouds.

The changing light.

The sailing boats.

Summer storms.

The pine trees bending beneath the Tramuntana wind.

Nothing is ever quite the same.

As the hours pass and the seasons change, the house seems to take on a different personality.

• A DIFFERENT IDEA OF COMFORT

We deliberately chose not to install air conditioning.

Not only for environmental reasons, but also because the house naturally benefits from exceptional cross-ventilation thanks to its elevated position. Even in the height of summer, a gentle breeze almost always flows through the rooms.

Each bedroom, as well as the main living area, is equipped with large ceiling fans that are remarkably quiet and highly effective.

Here, comfort comes more from thoughtful architecture than from technology.

• A HOME DESIGNED FOR SHARING

The villa offers nearly 180 square metres (1,940 sq ft) of living space.

It is ideal for six guests but can comfortably accommodate up to eight.

The ground floor has been designed as a place to gather.

The open-plan kitchen, centred around a large island, allows you to cook while chatting with family and friends seated around the dining table or relaxing in the living room—without ever losing sight of the sea.

The main living area is organised around a double-sided glass fireplace, bringing warmth and atmosphere to both spaces.

Just a few steps away, the library houses several hundred books on photography, travel and art. This room can also be converted into a fourth bedroom thanks to a premium-quality sofa bed.

But let's be honest...

There's every chance you'll spend just as much time outdoors as you will inside.

• THE LUXURY OF TIME

Beneath the main terrace, meals often linger long after dessert has been served.

In the morning, it's the perfect place to enjoy breakfast while watching the first sailboats leave the harbour.

At midday, the Mediterranean almost turns white beneath the intense summer light.

As evening falls, conversations continue long after sunset as the sun slowly disappears behind the hills.

Time seems to slow down here.

• SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO LANDSCAPES

Upstairs, each of the three bedrooms offers its own unique atmosphere.

One overlooks the Mediterranean.

Another opens onto the garden.

The master suite is probably the most distinctive room in the house.

The bed stands in the centre of the room, facing two large picture windows.

On one side, the sea.

On the other, pine-covered hills.

Between these two windows, a freestanding bathtub invites you to soak while enjoying the view.

On cooler evenings, the gas fireplace transforms the room into a warm and intimate retreat.

A large private terrace is the perfect place to extend the evening beneath the stars—or to begin the day quietly with a cup of coffee.

• A MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN

The garden extends across nearly 800 square metres and is planted with olive trees, cork oaks, laurels, rosemary, lavender and a magnificent umbrella pine that has become the silent guardian of the house.

It survived Storm Gloria in 2020.

We hope it will continue watching over this place for generations to come.

Beneath its branches, a large antique marble table welcomes long summer lunches and dinners.

A comfortable outdoor lounge offers the perfect place to read, listen to the cicadas, or simply do nothing at all.

And sometimes, doing nothing becomes the most memorable part of a holiday.

• A POOL MADE FOR SWIMMING

At 12.5 metres (41 feet) long, the swimming pool is much more than a decorative feature.

It is designed for real swimming, whether you want to start the day with a few lengths or unwind in the late afternoon.

As dusk falls, the underwater lights switch on automatically.

A midnight swim quickly becomes a temptation that's hard to resist.

• THE COSTA BRAVA ON FOOT

From the house, it takes just ten minutes to reach Golfet Beach via the traditional stone stairways of Calella.

It is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved coves on this stretch of the Costa Brava.

From there, the famous Camí de Ronda—the historic coastal footpath—follows the shoreline in both directions.

Heading north, it leads to the heart of Calella de Palafrugell, a former fishing village renowned for its whitewashed houses, narrow streets and colourful wooden boats resting on the sand.

Heading south, it reaches Castell Beach, one of the last great unspoilt natural areas of the Costa Brava, overlooked by the remains of an Iberian settlement that dates back more than two thousand years.

Whether you enjoy walking, swimming or simply discovering the coastline, the house is the perfect starting point.

• A DISCREET PRESENCE

Beneath the house is a completely independent apartment where my cousin Victor lives.

He looks after the garden, maintains the swimming pool and is available should anything require attention during your stay.

His entrance is on the opposite side of the property, and he is so discreet that many of our guests never even meet him.

His presence simply provides the reassurance that, if ever you need assistance, someone is close by.

• MORE THAN A HOLIDAY RENTAL

Above all, this is our family home.

We grew up here.

We renovated it with great care and attention.

And we continue to live here for much of the year.

Perhaps that is why we have never thought of it as simply a holiday rental.

Instead, we like to welcome guests who will enjoy this house in the same spirit as a family home—with curiosity, respect and simplicity.

Before confirming any reservation, we always enjoy taking a few moments to get to know each other, answer any questions you may have, and make sure that our home is truly the right place for your holiday.

If it is, we will be delighted to share with you this small corner of the Mediterranean that, ever since my childhood, has never ceased to feel like paradise.