L'Ermitage

In a forest clearing above Lausanne, this private estate opens its manor house to ceremonies for fifty to one hundred fifty guests beneath ancient oaks and stone terraces. The building's cream-colored stone and shuttered windows suggest quiet cultivation rather than grandeur. The surrounding forest provides a buffer from the modern world; paths lead to garden temples and a small lake reflecting the property's boundaries. The atmosphere is one of inherited privilege exercised with understatement. It appeals to couples with a sense of place.