Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The House of Bechmann or Le Vallon, located in Jouy-en-Josas, is an emblematic building of the early 20th century, although its style evokes the 18th century English. It was built between 1910 and 1911 by architect Lucien-Adolphe Bechmann, who was still a student, to become his family holiday home. The windows, directly ordered in England, and the inspiration of the cottages in the south of this country reflect a marked Anglophilia, combined with a search for aesthetic sobriety and technical innovations for the time.

Contrary to its period of inspiration, the house was actually built in the 1st quarter of the 20th century, as evidenced by the archives. Bechmann, an avant-garde architect, integrated modern elements while cultivating a traditional British style. According to the memories of his son, also an architect, the family spent every summer there, making a privileged summer retreat. This choice reflects a tendency of the Parisian elite of the time to settle in the suburbs for warm seasons.

Classified as Historic Monument by order of 30 November 2009, the house is fully protected, including its frame (cadastre AI 335). Today owned by a private company, it illustrates Bechmann's architectural heritage, combining personal heritage and international influence. Its location in Jouy-en-Josas, in the Yvelines, makes it a rare testimony of the architectural eclecticism of the early 20th century in Île-de-France.

Available sources, such as Monumentum, highlight its originality: a house designed by an architect for himself, combining family functionality and stylistic experimentation. GPS coordinates and the official address (7 Abel-Nicolle Street) confirm its anchoring in a residential area, although the accuracy of its location is considered poor (note 5/10).

External links