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Origin and history

The Castel Flamand, located in Vichy in the Allier, is a building built at the end of the 19th century, more precisely during the 4th quarter of this century. Designed by architect E. Mizard, this monument is distinguished by its architecture inspired by Flemish, Renaissance and 17th century styles. Its trapezoidal shape houses two twin houses, whose facades are richly decorated with various sculptures: cornices, friezes, capitals, volutes and other decorative elements. The interiors, equally remarkable, retain gypsum ceilings, polychrome ceramic pavements and marble chimneys, reflecting the care taken in its design.

A fire subsequently damaged the original roofs of the Castel Flamand, causing the loss of their domes. The latter were replaced by loggias, which now crown the downed corners of the facades. Despite this event, the protected elements of the monument — facades, roofs, vestibules, stairwells, as well as some interior rooms such as the living and dining room of No. 2 — were preserved. These spaces, with their fireplaces and stucco decorations, still bear witness to the opulence and eclectic architectural style of the time.

Ranked Historical Monument by decree of 4 March 1991, the Flemish Castel illustrates the influence of North European architectures in France at the end of the 19th century. Its decorative repertoire, combining Renaissance and Flemish Baroque, makes it a unique example in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The building, located at 2 and 2bis rue de Belgique, remains a major architectural and historical testimony of the city of Vichy, marked by the know-how of its masterpiece, E. Mizard.

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