Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Villa Collin, located in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (Yvelines), is an iconic 4th quarter-century building commissioned by Armand Collin, a renowned watchmaker. The latter, known for his works of Parisian clocks and carillons (Grand Palais, Louvre, Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois church), entrusted the project to the architect Émile Vaudremer. The first drawings date back to March 1891, and the works lasted until 1898, incorporating elements of the regionalist movement of the time. The villa is distinguished by its largely preserved interior: woodwork, paintings, fireplaces and original luminaires, as well as a stone quadrilobed edicle housing a source in the cellars.

Classified as a Historical Monument, the villa was partially protected by two decrees: an inscription in 1996 (with the exception of the classified parts) covering the remarkable facades, roofs and interior elements (ground floor, winter garden, staircase with elevator), followed by a classification in 1998 for these same spaces. There is confusion in the sources as to the date of construction (1891-1898 or 1903) and the exact location, the villa being sometimes associated with the former castle of Fourqueux, on the neighbouring municipality. The official address selected is 1 place Victor-Hugo in Fourqueux (Yvelines).

The architect Émile Vaudremer (sometimes cited as Auguste Vaudremer, possibly a mistake or a full name) is the main contractor of the project. The villa illustrates the taste of the industrial bourgeoisie of the time for residences combining modern comfort and historical stylistic references. Its state of conservation makes it a rare testimony to the art of living and the domestic architecture of the Belle Époque in Île-de-France. GPS coordinates and precise location remain approximate, with a confidence level estimated at 5/10 by heritage databases.

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