Object of Desire: La Tente Islaise Canvas Beach Tents from France

New from industrial designer Brice Ceccaldi: simple, appealing cotton canvas tents that provide protection from sun, wind, and rain during summertime idylls.

Ceccaldi has spent every recent summer on Les Îles du Ponant—an Atlantic island chain off the northwest coast of France—with his four children, exploring the terrain and going for impromptu walks, bike rides, and boat trips. The family found themselves wanting to pause at the beautiful locales they found, to play, read, nap, or have a picnic, but were often unable to find any shade. Voilà—La Tente Islaise, 0r “island tent,” Ceccaldi’s solution: a portable tent of wood and cotton canvas that is light enough to tote around while seeking out adventures, and simple enough to assemble and break down on a whim. “It is for my four children that I designed this tent,” says Ceccaldi, “but for an island, it had to be named.”

Photography courtesy of La Tente Islaise.

The tents are made by hand in France of pine and beechwood frames and dyed cotton canvas attached with clips. They’re held together by brass fasteners and nylon rope.

The canvas covers are 100 percent cotton, treated to be resistant to both water and UV rays.

The tents are backed by a lifetime guarantee. Each individual component is numbered and can be mailed back to the company for a replacement if needed.

The tents “are also perfect to mark your territory on crowded beaches,” notes Ceccaldi.

For more favorite tents, see:

• 10 Easy Pieces: Canvas Teepee Tents
• Garden Visit: Landscaping a Live-In Summer Camp
• Steal This Look: Tent Bedroom at El Cosmico in Marfa, Texas