In the town of Pietrasanta near Carrara, the Paradis Pietrasanta Hotel has opened in two historical buildings of different eras. The renovation was carried out by French architects from the Point3architecture bureau. 

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Filippo Bamberghi

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

French entrepreneur Alain Cirelli spent a lot of time in Italy since childhood and fell in love with the hills of Tuscany back in the 1990s. His life is connected with gastronomy: Cirelli worked for many years in the best restaurants in France and Italy and opened a culinary art school in Paris. But his heart belongs to Italy, namely, the town of Pietrasanta. In 2005, he bought an olive grove here and started producing oil. And ten years later, sitting in the main square of the town and sipping an aperol syringe, Cirelli decided that it was time to do something more here. He looked after a building in the very center of Pietrasanta, which he decided to turn into a hotel with a restaurant. Technically, these are two buildings — a fortress of the XV century, on top of which a villa was built in the XVIII century. The renovation was carried out by French architects Benjamin Macaire, Thibaut Julien and Victor Joven from the Point3architecture bureau. Their most important task was to preserve the heritage, emphasize the historical buildings and create a modern hotel. 

The garden is surrounded by a XV century fortress.

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

Marble bust of Julius Caesar, XV century.

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

The ground floor is located inside the fortress wall, a bar and a restaurant have been placed here, overlooking a beautiful garden with fountains and citrus trees. The garden, by the way, was also handled by a Frenchman — the famous landscape architect Jean Muse. The second and third floors date back to the XVIII century, there are twelve rooms. The architects were very lucky: nothing had to be rebuilt, the layout of the villa initially suited the needs of the hotel — the floors are connected by a grand staircase, each has a corridor system with rooms on both sides.

Summer terrace of the restaurant. Furniture designed by Piero Lissoni, Schönhuber Franchi.

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

Entrance to the restaurant. On the left is the fortress wall of the XV century, on the right is the villa of the XVIII century. Doors and roof made of glass and metal, Capoferri; sconces, Catellani & Smith.

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

Gallery of the second floor. Terrazzo, Orsan on the floor; walls painted with paint, Ressource; lamps, Ligne Sauze; vintage rattan chairs in the background.

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

To emphasize the area where the hotel is located and to create the impression that it has always been here, the architects used natural marble from Carrara quarries, elements made of forged metal, glazed handmade ceramic tiles and a huge number of sculptures made of marble and plaster. 

All rooms of the hotel are decorated differently and named after Italian provinces and historical figures. The authors especially like the number 205 — in honor of the gladiator Flamma. It is from here that you can enjoy views of the fortress wall and the hills of Tuscany. The rooms, lobby and restaurant are decorated with woven panels by the French artist of Moroccan origin Khalil Minki, which he made especially for this place. 

Restaurant. Sofas, Gubi; tables Apollo, Heerenhuis; cabinets made to order; inside lighting, DGA; lamps, Flos; carpet, Ferreira de Sá.

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

Bar. Tables, Heerenhuis; chairs, Rex Kralj; sconces, Catellani & Smith; sofas are made to order and covered with fabric, Casamance; on the left is a vase designed by Alice Gavale.

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

The hotel’s restaurant deserves special attention. The kitchen is headed by the owner, Alain Cirelli, and he cooks only from seasonal products grown on his farm a few kilometers from Pietrasanta, as well as local game and fish caught in the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

Bedroom in room 206, Marcus Aurelius. Sofa, Menu; shelving, Porro; armchair, Gervasoni; bedside table, Muuto; lamp, Flos; wall panel by artist Khalil Minka; curtains, Casamance.

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

Workplace in room 103, Volterra. Chair, Porro; vintage table, 1950s; lamp, Flos; curtains, Casamance.

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

Bedroom in room 103, Volterra. Armchair, Cassina; on the wall a panel by the artist Khalil Minka; curtains, Casamance; carpet, Ferreira de Sá. 

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

Bathroom in room 205, Flamma. Tiles, Fornace Bernasconi; faucets, Grohe; mirror on the sink, Inbani; mirror on the wall, Ex.t. 

Photo: Filippo Bamberghi

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