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Origin and history

The Riviera Palace is a former hotel emblematic of the Belle Époque, located Avenue du Prénéfeur Langevin and Rue du Riviera-Palace in Beausoleil, in the Alpes-Maritimes. Built between 1898 and 1902 for the Bed Car Company by architect Georges Chedanne, it embodies the architectural fascist of the period with its eclectic italianist style. Its ochre facades, blue majolica balustrades, and its famous winter garden — adorned with a glass window designed by Gustave Eiffel, rocks and subtropical plants — made it an exceptional place. Originally, a racked railway connected the hotel to the nearby Casino, highlighting its status as a luxury palace for an easy clientele.

During the First World War (1914-1918), the Riviera Palace was requisitioned and transformed into an auxiliary military hospital, marking a turning point in its history. After the conflict, the establishment remained as a hotel before being converted into an apartment condominium, partially altering its original vocation. Despite this transformation, its architectural heritage remains preserved, as evidenced by its inscription in historical monuments by decree of 14 December 1989. Protected features include facades, entrance hall, monumental stairwell, traffic galleries, winter garden, and old stables.

The canopy of the winter garden, a major work of Gustave Eiffel's company, illustrates the technical ingenuity of the era and the taste for bright and exotic spaces. This garden, with its fountains and subtropical plants, was designed to offer an immersive experience to guests, reflecting the beauty of the Belle Époque for travel and luxury. Today, although public access is limited due to its conversion into private residences, the Riviera Palace remains a major architectural and historical testimony of the French Riviera, symbol of a time when Beausoleil and Monaco attracted the European elite.

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