Former students of the National School of Fine Arts in Paris, Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli never stopped drawing.
Together, in 1996, they founded the Astier de Villatte house, whose furniture, tableware, ceramics, lighting and other artisanal objects with a very sure taste, full of poetry and fantasy, have traveled around the world.
By buying one of the last typographic printing works in the world, they launched themselves into publishing at the same time and published three books, including their original guide
Ma vie à Paris
.
Astier de Villatte is also known for its eaux de Cologne, its scented candles on the theme of an olfactory world tour and its divine incense, made in Japan.
In 2022, the fragrance collection is enriched with exceptional perfumes.
The first, Tucson, launched last March, is a juice inspired by their travels in Arizona.
To discover
Trips to the United States: tours, hotels and tailor-made stays from our partners
First felt when getting off the plane
BA de V. –
That of landing on another planet.
A feeling of total disorientation.
A thriving desert of giant cacti towering over 10 meters high.
An incredible landscape, sublime, of which I was unaware of the very existence.
IP –
The striking contrast between the day (crushing heat in summer, absolute calm, no cars or passers-by, a slow pace), and the evening when everything comes alive and accelerates.
Tucson is Arizona's second largest city.
Compared to others it does not have much to offer, but is nevertheless extremely attractive from the outset.
The atmosphere you like
BA de V. –
There is a real sweetness to life, especially in winter, an idyllic season.
Life is less expensive, it attracts people who have fled American life under pressure: marginalized people, retirees, artists who ride a Beetle... but also famous actors like Diane Keaton.
The city is active, but not frenetic.
IP –
The kindness and solidarity of people.
You can't pretend to be nice in the desert.
I also like the welcome given to the artists.
Tucson is a city of music, many important groups occur there.
Every evening, there are concerts everywhere, on every street corner.
The musician Naïm Amor told me that the studios are rented at 100 dollars a month to allow everyone to rehearse.
Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli.
Press service
An ideal base
BA de V. –
The Hotel Congress is for me the most magical in the city.
It remains in its own juice with its little Lucky Luke saloon side, but in an XXL version with high ceilings and plenty of concert halls.
All the rock bands come to play at Congress.
The local radio station is also located there.
The owner welcomes you very kindly and warns you straight away: the rooms are not soundproofed.
There's a hell of a racket.
It's part of the experience!
IP –
I also like the Arizona Inn, a historic hotel in operation since 1930, a little out of the way.
It functions as a hacienda.
We are received in the American style in a castle setting, with 18th century furniture, a large fireplace, old bathtubs.
We get lost in the sublime gardens, we cool off in the beautiful swimming pool.
But for the youngest, I would rather recommend The Downtown Clifton, a boutique hotel in the Mexican motel style, which is more accessible.
An enchanting ride
BA de V. and IP –
Saguaro National Park, east of the Sonoran Desert.
A mix of giant cactus forest, mountains, semi-arid plains.
We hear the hissing of rattlesnakes and the song of magnificent birds with shimmering plumage.
The park has impressive wildlife, including coyotes and pumas.
A crucial meeting
BA from V. and IP –
Bonnie and Crystal Flynt, mother and daughter, left LA to open the Bon boutique in Tucson.
A sharp concept store mixing rare or vintage pieces, their creations, antiques, a selection of brands that you wouldn't even find in New York... in this lost place where everyone flocks as soon as there is an event or a book signature.
The Bon boutique, a cutting-edge concept store mixing rare and vintage pieces.
Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli
A place to stroll
IP –
The flea market, set up in an interior courtyard.
You can hunt for very beautiful pieces there (like a pair of armchairs which I had to give up because it was impossible to have them delivered to France).
Easier to bring back, I recommend the delicious mesquite honey, sold by the beekeeper who produces it.
A calming place
IP –
The San Xavier del Bac mission.
A magnificent church with colonial Spanish architecture, with a charming little garden.
It is dedicated to Saint Francis Xavier.
A table to enjoy
BA de V. –
My favorite place to eat is Five Points Market & Restaurant.
It is both a grocery store, a bakery, a market, a café, a terrace… It serves very good Mexican-inspired cuisine, innovative and without manners.
I especially like having breakfast there.
Most of the products come from local and sustainable agriculture.
You can also buy flowers and natural wines there.
A local curiosity
IP –
Cowtown Boots, a fascinating cowboy store that puts the hipsters there to shame.
There is a multitude of articles: hats, shirts, improbable costumes in velvet or skin, and an unlimited choice of boots which inspired us two ceramic vases.
Cowtown Boots, a store for cowboys.
Benoît Astier de Villatte and Ivan Pericoli
An event not to be missed
IP –
The world famous Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
For twelve days, merchants, stonemasons, designers and jewelers meet professionals and amateurs (next edition from January 26 to February 6, 2023, editor's note).
