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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

La Maison Bleue is an iconic residential building built in 1929 in Angers, during the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. It responded to the population growth of the city at the beginning of the century. Sponsored by the owner Gabriel Créteau (or Albert Crêteaux according to the sources), it was designed by the architect Roger Jusserand, inspired by the ideas of Henri Sauvage, especially for his structure in a bleacher experienced in Paris. The building, the first to have an elevator in Angers, is also distinguished by its facade covered with Art Deco mosaics, one of the largest in the world.

The interior and exterior decorations, made of ceramic stoneware, Briare enamel and glass paste, form a gradient of colours ranging from beige to overseas blue. The mosaics, the work of the Mosaïst Isidore Odorico (and his brother according to certain sources), adorn the 8 floors, the stairs, the halls and even the bathrooms, with geometric patterns and frescoes like those of parrots. The ironworks, signed by artisans Trébuchet and Saupin, complete this masterpiece, classified as Historical Monument in 1998 (registration) and 2019 (partial classification).

The building, located at 25 rue d'Alsace and 10 boulevard Maréchal-Foch, symbolizes the architectural audacity of the 1920s. Its reinforced concrete construction, begun in 1927, reflects the technical innovations of the time, while its overall decoration makes it a major reference of Art Deco in Europe. Entrepreneurs Fraillon, Durand and Lemare participated in its creation, under the direction of Crêteaux, a Nantes businessman linked to the Grands Hôtels du Val de Loire. A missing window, signed by architect André Mornet, originally completed this exceptional set.

The Blue House is now recognized as a jewel of the Angelian heritage, illustrating the marriage between urban functionality and decorative art. Its lift, wrought iron balconies with bright shapes, and golden cracks make it a unique model. The apartments at the corner, especially those on the 1st and 4th floors, are protected for their intact decorations, while the common areas (halls, stairwells) testify to the artistic coherence of the project. The influence of Sauvage on Jusserand is palpable, especially in the progression of ornaments, from the ground floor to the upper floors.

Ranked among the French historical monuments, the building owes its fame to the mosaic of Odorico, considered a major work in the history of European art. The materials used – reinforced concrete, ceramic stoneware, enamels – and the techniques used (degraded in colours, geometric patterns) make this a successful example of the Art Deco style. The friezes, golden volutes and beams of the upper floors, combined with log balconies, highlight its originality. Although some elements (such as the gateway to the rue d'Alsace) have recently been restored, the overall authenticity of the building remains preserved.

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