Birth of the collective Testimony 1936 (≈ 1936)
Artistic movement related to Zelman's paintings.
1937-1938
Construction of cottage
Construction of cottage 1937-1938 (≈ 1938)
Work by René Faublée for François Salsas Serra.
16 avril 2018
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 16 avril 2018 (≈ 2018)
Full registration by decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The chalet "Sol i Neu" in its entirety, located 296 chemin du Mas Metout, on Parcel No.216 in the cadastre section AI: inscription by order of April 16, 2018.
Key figures
François Salsas Serra - Sponsor
Catalan engineer owner of cottage.
René Faublée - Architect
Designer of the cottage and its furnishings.
Zelman - Decorative painter
Author of inspired murals.
Origin and history
The Sol i Neu chalet, located in Morzine in Haute Savoie, was built between 1937 and 1938 for Catalan engineer François Salsas Serra. Designed by architect René Faublée, this monument illustrates the principles of his work: use of regional materials (wood, stone, slate), interior quality and functionality. The project is part of the expansion of "first generation" winter sports resorts, with particular attention to landscape integration into the natural slope of the terrain.
Faublée thought the chalet in its entirety, including the architectural envelope and interior furnishings, in collaboration with the painter decorator Zelman. The latter produced fish glue paintings, combining references to Catalan novel, local culture and portraits of inhabitants. These works reflect the concerns of the artistic collective "Testimonial" (born 1936), of which Zelman was a member, making Sol i Neu a rare testimony of this movement.
The chalet has remained intact since its construction, maintaining its exterior appearance and original interior arrangement (rooms, luminaires). It attests to the close links between the sponsor Salsas Serra, the architect Faublée and the painter Zelman, three personalities whose meeting gave rise to this unique building. Ranked Historic Monument by decree of 16 April 2018, it embodies the architectural and artistic heritage of the 1930s in the Alps.
