Our history
The Domaine d’Ablon is all about bringing a shared dream into reality, as Véronique and Christophe created the project together.
Véronique was managing a small business (and raising bees), Christophe was the founder of an international company specialized in Print Management.
In 2011, as Christophe sold his company before finally leaving his post in 2013, the question arose:
« What is life going to be for us as a family and us as a couple over the coming years ?
That’s how in 2012 the adventure of the Domaine d’Ablon began in Normandy, all starting from the little thatched cottage that had been bought on a whim as a vacation house.
The first foundation of the project was thus that little 18th century cottage.
After having traveled extensively all around the globe, Véronique and Christophe were looking to bring a different hospitality concept to Normandy, building a unique, personalized place that is tied to the land and discreetly refined.
Having the feeling of being at home, not needing to interact with other guests, all with service of the highest quality.
The underlying principle of the Domaine d’Ablon was established.
Work began and Véronique and Christophe left London and Paris, where they had been living in 2013, to begin their life in Normandy.
That life would soon get a bit broader, as Véronique became pregnant with little Louise, who would arrive in February 2014.
Three years and €6M were invested in the construction of the first phase of the project.
With more than 30 local companies participating, all supervised daily by Véronique and Christophe to make sure that the final result would be up to their expectations.
At the end of September 2015, the first suites at the Domaine d’Ablon were opened.
By then, Jérôme Billochon, a renowned chocolatier and pastry chef in Honfleur, joined them to direct food services for the project.
Nicolas Letalleur, director of a landscaping company that participated in the creation of the gardens, left his company to come and live with his family near the Domaine, overseeing the evolution and maintenance of the garden.
In July 2018, the Colombier was completed and opened to guests.
In September 2019, a new cottage is opened as well: the Petit Manoir.
One client who loves the project, Oussama Ammar, decides to invest and become a partner in building the Domaine d’Ablon.
With the COVID-19 pandemic and the particular year that was 2020, the Domaine’s concept is seen for its uniqueness, fully expressing its meaning.
Still, delays occur, pushing the completion of the Manoir back to September 2021.
But in February 2021, a new suite, La Bouillerie, is completed and opened to guests.
It’s a slice of sweetness within the orchard, including a chimney in the room.
In March 2021, the Domaine d’Ablon is recognized as a Small Luxury Hotel of the World, in recognition of our work that furnishes an extra burst of enthusiasm for the coming aspects of the project.
Oussama Ammar completed a fundraising round with exceptional new financial partners who will be able to aid in executing the next steps in the project.
More to come…
