HISTORY OF HAVELI
​
In the heyday of the 19th century Silk Road , the Nand Lal Devra family built a home which would become part of the rich landscape of the Shakhawati economic crossroads. The merchants of the era built their homes with the fortunes gained from agriculture, stone mines, woven fabrics and sometimes even opium!
The majestic Devra Haveli was abandoned in the1950’s when the commerce of the region was displaced to the great ports of India. The haveli fell in to a deep sleep in the hot sands of the Thar Desert and for many years served as a home for a gardien and his goats.
Until 1998, when the French painter Nadine Le Prince, attracted by the melancholic beauty of the Marwari architecture, discovered the Haveli and decided to to buy it from the Devra family.
It would take Nadine more than 5 years to restore the haveli.
The enticing mixture of the tales of «A thousand and One Nights» and «Sleeping Beauty», Nadine was swept away by the charm of the lieu, to the point where she consecrated all of her energy to the faithful and authentic restoration of the frescoes in order to bring back to life all the past splendor of the Haveli.
The Haveli contains an Art Gallery where Indian and French art works are exhibited. Nadine’s son Joel Cadiou has added tribal artisana and crafts as well as his photographic work from his numerous journey’s across India.
The rooms have been decorated in the original style of the epoch with objects and furniture coming from antique dealers throughout Rajasthan. Today, Le Prince Haveli opens its rooms to guests and travelers looking for a refreshing break and an authentic, warm and relaxed experience.
Nadine Le Prince
HERITAGE PRESERVATION
"The Shekhawati Project"
Faced with the relentless degradation of the artistic and architectural treasures of the Shekhawati, our family decided, with the help of international experts, to undertake a new challenge; turn the haveli into a unique example of cultural conservation.
Le Prince Haveli will undergo a scientific, stable and durable restoration while opening its doors to students, professionals and art lovers interested in preserving the patrimony with an educational program in conservation and restoration.
We are proud to be a part of this first of its kind project, following the work of Nadine Le Prince, which will safeguard for years to come the beauty of the Shekhawati.
​
