Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The villa Yvonnette, located at 26 rue de Longchamp in Vichy (Allier, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), was built in 1899 by architect Antoine Chanet for his personal use. This building illustrates the eclectic architecture of the late 19th century, mixing exposed brick and decorative elements in white stone. The exterior facades incorporate ostentatious architectural motifs (pillars, truncated columns, female busts) and painted stained glass windows, reflecting the social status of its owner.

The interiors retain original decorations, including stained glass windows with floral motifs (glycines, aubépines, neuphars) and open chimneys. These elements, typical of the nascent Art Nouveau, underline the refinement of the thermal villas of Vichy, a destination popular with the aristocracy and bourgeoisie under the Third Republic. The villa was classified as a Historic Monument in 1992 for its architecture and interior decorations.

The building is part of the urban context of Vichy, then booming thanks to its thermal baths. Villas such as Yvonnette served both as secondary residences for curists and as symbols of social success. Their concentration around parks and avenues reflected the social hierarchy of the time, where architecture became a language of distinction.

Today, the villa Yvonnette remains a testimony of this fascist period, where Vichy embodied luxury and well-being. Its inscription in the title of historical monuments guarantees the preservation of its architectural characteristics, from brick facades to interior stained glass windows, offering an overview of the art of living of the late nineteenth century.

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