Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Villa Saint-James, built between 1891 and 1893 by Paul Bonna in Aix-les-Bains, replaces an old hangar and house dating back to 1869. The building is distinguished by its facade with three wrought iron balconies and its mansarded windows, but its main interest lies in its interior decorations. These, of great finesse, combine oil, gouache and watercolour paintings on marouflage canvases, with floral motifs and rock in the lobby, the vestibule, the stairwell and a first floor apartment. The trompe-l'oeil panels, the vegetal friezes and the ceilings adorned with flower garlands (glycines, capuchines) bear witness to remarkable artistic know-how, although their authors remain anonymous.

The history of the villa is marked by several transformations: in 1894, a marble plaque "Villa Saint-James" was affixed at the request of Eugene Gavard; In 1898, a glass marquise of Saint-Gobain, designed by architect Delimoges, was added to the facade. In the 20th century, the building underwent divisions and modifications, such as the disappearance of ceramic tiles from the facade in 1968 or the replacement of the marquise in 1997 after an accident. In 1930, Gabrielle Chiron, widow of l'aviateur Michel Mermoz, joined a hotel company before dividing it into lots in 1935. The decors, partially preserved in the common areas and an apartment, illustrate the style of the modest thermal pensions of the period.

Villa Saint-James has been protected since December 2023 for its facades, roofs, entrance hall, stairwell and painted ceilings on the first floor. These elements, as well as the geometric windows of the stairwell and woodwork, bear witness to the architectural and decorative art of the late 19th century in Savoy. The building, originally designed as a residential and perhaps hotel location, reflects the thermal boom of Aix-les-Bains, a resort popular for its waters and alpine setting.

The spatial organization of the villa includes a courtyard closed at the back, lined with two wings in return for square. The one on the left, once a guard house, is now integrated into an apartment. Balconies on courtyard, partially covered on the upper floors, and stone staircase leading to the floors complete this composition. Despite some alterations (trunching the steps for an elevator in 1982, obstructing a gable in 1999), the villa retains exceptional architectural and decorative consistency, underlined by its recent protection under the Historic Monuments.

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