Rustic wooden interior with a lighted picture frame showing an open blue door in a dark room, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.Wooden corridor with a framed photo illuminated on a beige wall in the background, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

History & renovation

An 18th-century farmhouse, restored with respect for its history and its surroundings.

Old wooden ladder leading to a wooden door in a rustic structure with hanging flowers, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

the farm

A memory of a place shaped by time and the mountains, in Chamonix

A former agricultural building at the foot of the Drus, the Couttet farm was built at the end of the 18th century on a site once shaped by the Mer de Glace. Today, it remains a testament to the pastoral history of the village of Les Bois.

When the owners discovered it, the barn still held hay under the rafters, cow troughs, and a dirt floor. Now a listed building, it is part of the heritage architecture of Haute-Savoie.

Wooden and stone house in a mountainous landscape with trees and a cloudy sky, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Wooden cottage with snow and snowy mountains in the background on a cloudy day, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Interior of an old barn with wooden frame and clay floors, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

renovation

A meticulous restoration, guided by the soul of the farmhouse

The JMV Architectes firm redesigned the exterior, restoring the lime plaster, old wood facades, and the balance of the openings. Today, the farmhouse retains its original volume and appearance while opening up more fully to its surroundings.

Project manager Alexandre Paget oversaw the work with meticulous attention to detail, collaborating with local craftspeople. Inside, Atelier Giffon designed the spaces around the original timber frame, which was restored and preserved as the centerpiece of the project.

Wooden dining room with large table, beige chairs, central fireplace and large windows overlooking the mountainous landscape, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Bouquet of dried flowers in an orange vase on a console near a framed photo, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Wooden cloakroom with coat hooks, hangers and raw bench under a wooden ceiling, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Chaises longues beige près d'une piscine avec une lampe éclairée et un rideau beige en arrière-plan, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Warm interior of a wooden sauna with benches and soft lighting under the seats, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

REINTERPRETATION

Preservation, details, and a contemporary perspective

The project reinterprets the existing structure by repurposing original elements—wood, farm tools, troughs, and ladders—and integrating them into the architecture.

The materials of Chamonix architecture define the space: reclaimed wood, stone, lime, and Mont-Blanc granite, extending even into the wellness area, which evokes a traditional washhouse.
Vintage photographs, daguerreotypes, and decorative elements maintain this continuity between memory and a contemporary perspective.

Beige lamp on wooden furniture with wall paint and decorated shelves in the background, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

volumes & spaces

The final layout of the Ferme des Drus

Designed as a true home, the Ferme des Drus spans 560m², centered around large, open, and inviting living spaces. The living room, bathed in light and framed by the original timber beams, is an invitation to gather, while the fully equipped kitchen is perfect for sharing simple meals or hosting a private chef.

The various areas—living room, dining room, reading nook—flow naturally into one another, balancing conviviality and privacy. The five suites, distributed throughout the chalet and complemented by a dormitory, accommodate up to 10 adults and 4 children.

The layout is extended by dedicated wellness areas, creating a complete space to be enjoyed freely, at your own pace.

Bright living room with curved white sofas, wooden coffee tables, large windows and wooden roof, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Modern kitchen with wooden walls, gray furniture, wooden table with croissants and fabric seats, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Five cream wooden lounge chairs lined up near an indoor pool in a zen atmosphere, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Living room with wooden ceiling, large dining table and comfortable sofas under suspended light fixtures, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.
Modern living room with orange sofa, several ottomans, coffee table with chess board and large wall-mounted television, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

 Explore the grounds

The world of Ferme des Drus

Rustic room with double bed, wooden walls and ceiling, large windows and a warm atmosphere, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

The suites

Five unique suites, designed as a cohesive whole, balancing texture, light, and views of the landscape.

VIEW SUITES
Indoor pool with stone walls, wooden windows, wicker lanterns and woven baskets, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

Wellness area

A wellness space inspired by Japanese onsens, featuring water, stone, and a mineral atmosphere.

VIEW THE SPA
Snowy mountains under a clear blue sky without clouds, La Ferme des Drus, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

The destination

Chamonix and the Alps as your playground, featuring peaks, glaciers, and year-round experiences.

DISCOVER CHAMONIX