A Franco-Italian love story: Giardino Frannicola
Finding Giardino Frannicola was quite unexpected and a bit chaotic. After spending a few days in Bari, it was time for us to discover the beautiful region of Lecce. We simply went on google and try to look for nearby places 2 hours before check-in. The place looked nice but nothing really blew me away and well, at this point, nothing mattered, we simply needed a roof over our head.
After a good 2 hour drive, we finally arrived at destination. The pictures we saw 2 hours ago clearly didn’t do this place justice. Giardino Frannicola was beautiful, elegant, well-thought in terms of design and the architecture was clearly preserved. Each room had their own entrance and an access to the garden. Everything we were hoping for was there.
Founded by Stefano Bisanti and Arielle Garnier, Giardino Frannicola is located near the historic centre in Maglie, Lecce. Once you enter the gate, a beautiful garden with apricots, plums, pears (and more) will welcome you.
Below, we spoke with Arielle to discover more about the history and inspiration behind the couple's charming bed and breakfast.
How did Giardino Frannicola come about?
Giardino Frannicola is first and foremost a great Franco-Italian love story—'a consequence of Erasmus' as Stefano likes to joke. From the moment we met, at the age of 25, we knew we'd like to open a guest house one day. And so, with diverse and varied professional experiences, it took us 10 years and a lockdown in an apartment to build out this lifelong project.
Can you tell us more about the history of the establishment?
Giardino Frannicola is an old farmhouse that dates back to the 17th century. It used to house Franciscan monks and pilgrims, and we wanted to preserve some of the architectural motifs and the stone altar. The garden includes a vineyard, an orange grove and an orchard, in addition to a multitude of medicinal plants.
Driven by the desire for a well-maintained environment surrounded by nature, we wanted to restore Giardino Frannicola to its former glory by opening a comfortable and tranquil place to the public. During the restoration, we kept the floor plan, high ceilings, the feeders for horses, the wood-burning oven, etc.
All the materials used were sourced locally; Lecce stone for the terraces and Trani marble for the floors and bathroom wall coverings. The original furniture of the 'Masseria' has been restored, including the 19th-century beds, which the unique pieces made by local artisans complement.
You opted for a smaller space with only a few bedrooms; was this a conscious decision?
Absolutely. In Puglia, the influence of Hellenic culture is omnipresent (which is evident through the Griko dialect that's still spoken in certain villages closeby). Hospitality is an essential value in ancient Greek mythology, which describes how human beings can bestow their virtue by being hospitable to strangers who may actually be deities in disguise. In our opinion, this practice is only possible in a small structure!
Guests are delighted with fresh fruits straight from the trees every morning. Could you tell us more about your property's focus on natural resources?
Life in Puglia is linked to the land, and locals know how to respect the raw beauty of nature. We have designed Giardino Frannicola as an oasis of relaxation, rich in flavours, textures and scents. We hope that what we offer to our guests appeals to all the senses. Because only when all the senses are awakened can we truly appreciate the present moment. The more we see, taste, listen, touch and smell, the more we feel the world pulsing around us. It's how life becomes real, thrilling and dynamic, and we realise how beautiful she is!
This is why we put chamomile in the drawers and wash the floors with thyme essential oils. Depending on the season, our guests are free to pick apricots, plums, pears, blackberries, figs, persimmon, pomegranates, oranges or clementines from our gardens.
What do you hope for guests when they come to Giardino Frannicola?
Ultimately, we hope to have transmitted our love of Puglia, this mysterious and wholesome region that invites travellers to take the time to slow down and cultivate the joy of living.
You offer coupons to guests for coffee and sweet Italian treats, which allowed me to discover the famous Leccesse coffee and pasticciotti pastries! What prompted you to do this?
Italians love being together and know how to savour the little pleasures of everyday life. Like starting the day in good company, with a caffè Leccese accompanied by a pasticciotto straight out of the oven! We particularly like this ritual and do not plan to deviate from it under any circumstances. Because it is intergenerational—anyone can gather around the counter in a merry hubbub, from elegant old gentlemen to children to nuns.
We want our guests to join us in these instances because it's a unique opportunity in which they can immerse themselves in local culture, discovering the friendly and celebratory way of life here.
Lecce is known for its Baroque architecture; what else is this city famous for?
'Ci camina llicca, ci staie a casa sicca'—this proverb from Lecce essentially invites you to travel, and it could not fit the region better. In Lecce, we observe and appreciate all the city splendours, step by step. Every street not explored, every balcony not admired, there are so many incentives to walk tirelessly to discover these treasures.
We don't wish to reveal all the city secrets. Still, Lecce is the city for 'cartapesta'—the refined art of papier-mâché, which has been around since the 17th-century to model expressive religious figurines. It's also the place for Tombolo lace, which was honoured by Dior in their 2021 cruise collection.
When here, you'll have to partake in the 'passeggiata', an evening stroll through the city, where inhabitants of all ages come together. The activity promotes a strong community spirit, and it's the ultimate form of togetherness. People can dress up, chat, walk arm-in-arm, flirt and eat ice-cream while taking in the sights of Lecce.
What is next for Giardino Frannicol
When we learn to experience beauty more organically and savour the simple pleasures of life, we can change our view of ourselves and the world around us. At Giardino Frannicola, we seek to create an atmosphere of serenity and openness, which allows our guests to concentrate only on the essentials.
Living life to the fullest means giving yourself the time and space to breathe, slow down, and understand what you want more clearly. In short, we hope to go further here at the hotel by offering our guests personal development courses towards mindfulness and well-being. We're looking forward to this venture!