CGA Foundation 1905 (≈ 1905)
Establishment of the General Accidents Fund.
1932-1935
Construction of building
Construction of building 1932-1935 (≈ 1934)
Directed by Henri Vié and Jean Le Guillou.
10 juillet 2015
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 10 juillet 2015 (≈ 2015)
Registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Building of the Compagnie Générale d'Accidents (C.G.A.), sis 12-18, rue Racine: the following elements composing the building: the facade on Racine Street in its entirety, with the corresponding roof up to the ridge separating the slopes and terraces, all the railings in ironwork; the ground floor with its decor, namely: the entrance hall, the transversal vestibule, the area under glass and the glass window itself, with its structure and its filling elements, the guardrails of the mezzanines, as well as the staircase of the mezzanines; the two side staircases, the luminaires of the elevators, including cages, bearings and wooden doors, with the exception of the lateral wing distribution corridors (Box HP 125, see plan annexed to the Order): inscription by order of 10 July 2015
Key figures
Henri Vié - Architect
Designer of the Art Deco building.
Jean Le Guillou - Entrepreneur
Construction manager.
Graziana - Musaist craftsman
Author of the mosaics of the hall.
Origin and history
The General Company of Accident (CGA) building, located at 14-16 Racine Street in Nantes, is an iconic Art Deco building built between 1932 and 1935. Designed by the Nantes architect Henri Vié for the Caisse générale accident (founded in 1905), it is distinguished by its concrete facade imitating the stone, its two-winged porch, and an inner courtyard in trompe l'oeil. The building, covered by a roof terrace, combines accommodation, offices and public facilities, with an entrance hall decorated with mosaics signed Graziana and a window room illuminated by a vault of glass cobblestones.
Ranked among the historical monuments since 10 July 2015, the building had previously received the label "Twentieth Century Heritage". Its interior decor, including stairs, luminaires and ironwork, is considered one of Nantes' most accomplished Art Deco ensembles. The entrepreneur Jean Le Guillou supervised his construction, while architect Henri Vié applied a prescription inspired by Parisian private hotels, while integrating technical innovations such as roof terraces.
Today, the ground floor hosts municipal services, including the company Nantes-metropole management equipment, responsible for parking, as well as leisure spaces. Located in a protected area, the building testifies to the adaptation of Art Deco to the functional needs of an insurance company, while marking the Nantes urban planning of the 1930s. Its listing in the inventory of Historic Monuments protects key elements, such as the façade, stairs, and the window, highlighting its heritage value.
Available sources (Wikipedia, Monumentum) indicate that the official address registered in the Merimée database is 12-18 Racine Street, although documents also mention 14-16. This shift reflects changes in the cadastre or urban numbering. The building remains a remarkable example of 20th century commercial architecture, combining aesthetics and utilitarianism in the centre of Nantes.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review