Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The villa Sestier is a private property located in Sauzet, in Drôme Provençale, built between 1902 and 1906 for Honoré Sestier, its sponsor. It embodies the Art Nouveau style, combining regionalist architecture and refined decors. The main building, designed by architect Nicolas Vernon, is decorated with stained glass, wallpaper, and furniture signed Francisque Chaleyssin, while the park, designed by landscaper Gabriel Luizet, was considered one of the most beautiful private gardens of the Drôme.

The estate's outbuildings (keeper's house, greenhouse, stables, etc.) complement this architectural ensemble. The park, inspired by English gardens, was built in 1900 and completed in 1902, reflecting the enthusiasm of the local bourgeoisie for green spaces. The villa houses works by artists such as Alexandre Baudin (paintings) and furniture by cabinetmaker Roux, as well as a buffet by Majorelle in the neo-Gothic dining room.

Ranked a historic monument in 2016 (after a first partial inscription in 2012), the villa is open to the public from June to October. The protections concern stables, the facades of certain outbuildings, and the entire park, highlighting its heritage importance. The private archives of the estate, deposited in the municipal archives of Montélimar, document its construction and its history.

The site illustrates the alliance between architecture, decorative art and landscape at the beginning of the twentieth century, typical of bourgeois residences of the period. The stained glass, floral decorations and custom furniture make it an exceptional testimony of Art Nouveau in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The villa remains a notable example of Drômois heritage, combining aesthetic innovation and historical heritage.

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