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Origin and history

The chalet des Roses is one of five imperial chalets built in Vichy under Napoleon III between 1863 and 1864. He was commissioned by Achille Fould, the Emperor's Minister of Finance, and is part of an architectural ensemble designed to welcome the imperial court during the spa treatments. Inspired by the Eugénie chalet, it is distinguished by its sober Savoyard style, its carved balustrades and its slate roof, typical of the Alpine constructions of the period. The building, enlarged in 1927, owes its name to the roses of its garden and to the pink tint of its cement.

Ranked a historic monument in 1990 with two other chalets (Marie-Louise and Clermont-Tonnerre), he remained in the Bignon family until 2018, before being acquired in 2021 by Anne-Flore Maman Larraufie and Jean-Yves Larraufie. For the first time, they opened the chalet to the public, while residing there. Its interior, sober but elegant, reflects a simplified worldly life, far from the Parisian fascist, with salons dedicated to literary receptions and games.

The garden, initially large and open to Napoleon III Park, housed fifty varieties of roses and stables linked to the Baron de Veauce, pioneer of horse racing in Vichy. The southern facade was modified in the 1960s with the addition of a terrace and white barriers. The exterior architecture, marked by gargoyles and a partial circular balcony, reflects a mixture of Savoyard tradition and historical influences of the Belle Époque.

Designed by architect Jean Lefaure, who is also responsible for the Emperor's and Empress's chalets, the Roses chalet illustrates the Second Empire's passion for spas and picturesque architecture. Its pink cement, cut wood ornaments and references to alpine motifs make it a remarkable example of the chalet style, which was widespread in Central Europe during this period.

Today, the chalet des Roses embodies a living heritage, between imperial memory and contemporary project. Its current owners are seeking to reintegrate it into Vichyssian cultural life, while preserving its authenticity. The building, located at 101 U.S. Boulevard, remains a unique testimony to the city's thermal and architectural history.

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