Fuorisalone POSTCARDS: Isabelle Valembras' beloved summer destination

A few words about you: who are you and what do you do?
I’m an art historian (Ecole du Louvre and Sorbonne University). For the past 25 years, I’ve been working in the worlds of art and design, close to those who create, develop, and sell. My consulting work covers both operational and strategic aspects.
I love discovering new creatives, galleries, and art spaces. And I adore writing about my discoveries (I contribute to the Louis Vuitton City Guide).
 

What’s your favorite summer destination? Can you tell us what makes this place so special for you?
I’ve always been a Venetian at heart. Being surrounded by water and beauty from dawn to dusk makes life feel lighter. I love the rhythm of daily life, boating through the lagoon, and reconnecting with friends from all over the world.

Places to discover?
I enjoy the Barbati Gallery by Michele Barbati: a Giudecca-born Venetian who returned from Los Angeles to open a gallery in Campo Santo Stefano. He features artists from the local genius loci as well as from California—an original equation. He's a friend of Tommaso Calabro (whose gallery is based in Campo S. Polo), who instead focuses on 20th-century artists.
There are also many foundations that have opened in the city. I’m particularly interested in the Fondazione dell’Albero d’Oro, located in Palazzo Vendramin Grimani, which carries out research to reconstruct the history of the palace through the lives of its past inhabitants. I never miss the exhibitions at the Fondation Wilmotte, especially during the Architecture Biennale, when they showcase the winner of the W Prize.
I’m also intrigued by Panorama, a space launched by a group of ambitious and cultured Venetian professionals.
B-R-U-N-O is my go-to bookstore for visual arts. They offer a curated selection, both local and international.

When it comes to food I’m a fan of La Zucca (in the Santa Croce district) and Pietra Rossa (in Castello). I often stop for a glass of Prosecco at Umberto’s Naranzaria by the market. I wake up dreaming of Rosa Salva’s rice pudding, and on Saturdays, I treat myself to Rizzardini’s “festivo.”
When Toccià organizes themed dinners, I rush to Spiazzi (Castello), where art, design, and food blend with that uniquely cool Venetian vibe. At Nolinsky, I love the bar where you can sip a cocktail under the frescoed ceiling painted by artist Simon Buret.

I seek out nature in gardens like the one at Redentore, recently restored by Piedmontese landscape architect Paolo Pejrone and opened just a few months ago thanks to the Venice Gardens Foundation. A monastic marvel overlooking the southern lagoon.
The Marchesani Foundation also boasts a hidden garden—a small corner of paradise.
For the Louis Vuitton City Guide, I created a flânerie dedicated to Venice’s greenery. There’s more of it than one might expect.

To relax, I walk along the Zattere in the morning or at dawn. The Marriott’s spa, designed by Matteo Thun on the Island of Roses, is accessible by boat and features a perfect pool with a view of the lagoon.
For your stay, I recommend Ca Maria Adele, a boutique hotel conceived by Nicola Campa: a refined gem with a view of the Salute and the new cultural venue Casa San Lorenzo.

What’s your secret spot in this place?
It’s too secret to share. I go there alone and turn off my phone.