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As the end of the year barrels in and the world speeds up, the pull towards places that slow things down feels stronger than ever. And this season, that feeling seems to have found a home – or rather, several – in the open-air Villages of The Bicester Collection.
And honestly? The timing couldn’t be better. Because La Vallée Village, just outside Paris, recently celebrated a major milestone. To mark its twenty-fifth anniversary, the Village opened a brand-new VIP space that’s basically the dream version of personal shopping. There are eight suites designed like chic private apartments, with soft lighting, open spaces, and a team of personal shoppers who understand what you’re after.
Art is at the heart of the Village’s anniversary celebrations, too. The Village has teamed up with Réunion-born street artist JACE, bringing a fresh perspective to the space. His signature Gouzous characters are popping up around the Village in a colourful installation that feels cheeky, warm and genuinely joyful.
A few hours away in Catalonia, there’s a whole different kind of story unfolding. La Roca Village has launched a tribute to Lleida, a region that melds quiet elegance with a seriously rich creative history. The Village has turned its Art Space into a showcase of photographs by cultural archivist Toni Prim, whose fifty-year archive captures everyday life in Lleida with a clarity and affection that’s impossible to fake. His work includes nods to Pepa Domingo, a prominent figure of Spanish avant-garde fashion in the 1980s, and references to the Lleida region’s influence over the national style conversation.
Alongside this, the Village has collaborated with Lleida-born visual artist Lara Costafreda, who reimagines the Village’s architecture through Lleida’s landscapes, creating a visual trail that feels intimate and poetic. She’s spoken about the initiative as a kind of homecoming, and you can feel that emotional undertone in every line and brushstroke.
La Roca Village is also playing host to the Aitona Gourmet pop-up, since food is another vital aspect of the region. Founded in 2021 by the Benet family (whose agricultural roots go all the way back to 1947), the boutique serves up olive oil, honey, preserves and wines from sustainable vineyards.
Meanwhile, the festive season is well underway across all the Villages of The Bicester Collection, and each one is interpreting it in its own way. Bicester Village is going full storybook mode, with sing-alongs, falling snow, live music, and new boutique openings from brands like Missoma and Christian Louboutin Beauty. Over in La Vallée Village, snow machines, a sleigh car photo spot, pianists, and a Membership Advent Calendar are bringing in the holiday cheer.
La Roca Village keeps its creative energy going with festive illustrations by Lara Costafreda, a Christmas Market, workshops, and surprise visits from Santa. Las Rozas Village near Madrid is combining its twenty-fifth anniversary with a focus on natural fibres, transforming the space with sculptures and biodegradable decorations. And at Kildare Village, you’ll find Irish designers in residence, festive menus and workshops led by local craftspeople.
What ties all these places together is the open-air streets, the thoughtful hospitality, and the balance between global brands and local culture, giving each Village its own soul.
This season, that soul feels particularly alive. Whether you’re slipping into a VIP Suite at La Vallée Village, wandering through the interpretation of Lleida at La Roca Village, or soaking up the festive atmosphere in Villages across Europe, the energy remains the same, with a focus on creativity, craft and connection. It’s all about remembering what it feels like to enjoy the moment – something we could all use a little more of this time of year.
For more information, visit thebicestercollection.com.
