Villa Albanel

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

Built around 1900 by a wealthy family of Italian origin, the villa Albanel appears externally as fairly ordinary, designed in an eclectic style that is at once neo-Gothic, Renaissance, and classical. It is surrounded by a garden that is likewise composite, a mixture of English and Italian garden styles. It is above all the interior decorations that surprise with their richness and abundance, also borrowing from all styles; the sculptures and Gothic and Baroque decorative elements are particularly original and striking. Rarity of this type of decoration, with, notably, the theatrical character of the hall, designed in the English manner. The effect of contrast between the bourgeois character of the exterior and the extravagance of the interior is striking and constitutes a remarkable and accomplished example of an eclectic building, also comparable to the Cannière and La Grangefort. This substantial villa built on sloping ground forms an L: - The facade on the street (east), composite, is a re-facing of an older structure. - The south facade, classical, is divided into three bodies separated by chains of rustication, a central body of three bays with a balcony resting on three arcades. The central French window features the only ornament: a plinth forming an archivolt surmounted by an eagle in cast iron. The two lateral bodies each have two bays: the west facade is at ground level with a terrace overlooking the garden. Marquee with metal fretwork frieze above the central French window. The interior courtyard bounded by the two return wings is closed to the west, in the extension of the terrace by a neo-Gothic ensemble in three parts: a round pigeon tower with conical roof; a porch with tympanum bearing the arms of the Albanel and wall crowned by a false parapet with crenellations and merlons; a low wing with cut corners also crenellated, and pierced with openings with stone mullions. The main entrance door opens in the west wall of this wing, sheltered by a porch with stone canopy supported by two columns. The two leaves, of classical structure (tympanum of pierced balusters) are decorated with naive panels evoking the past of the Albanel: armorial shields surmounted by crests (crescents recalling the crusades), heads of knights represented in profile, medallions integrated into Renaissance arabesque motifs, napkin folds. All of this is of very bright polychromy. Interior layout: - Grand Hall - staircase: This grand reception room, as in 16th-century English châteaux, had a more symbolic than practical role. Reflecting the social status of the owners, it allowed judgment of their wealth. The old postcards representing it furnished confirm this to us: armour, paintings and heavily furnished furniture gave an impression of plush luxury, almost of a small museum. This hall forms a vessel that has retained its troubadour decoration: ceiling with beams on consoles, painted friezes with arms of the Albanel, stained glass forming overhead lighting, red cloth with gilt impressions - Landing opened by arcades like a gallery. Various elements in painted wood of Baroque style are noticeable, frame and pediments framing the back of the entrance door, fireplace with its mirror, altar and retable. - Dining room: This room retains two oils on canvas above the door, landscape by a river and a seascape. - Gothic Salon: Four double doors with Baroque frames (putti) and panels with napkin folds are noticeable. An exceptional fireplace in gilded and polychrome wood with very elaborate Baroque decoration: engaged columns, pilaster, putti, arabesques, naive carved frieze (life of Saint ?). - Garden: composite, a mixture of English garden with coniferous species (cedar) and Italian garden. Axis using the slope of the land to form successive levels punctuated by basins and statues embellished with clipped Mediterranean shrubs (yews - thujas - boxwood). Among the principal statues, one notes copies of antique works (Venus - faun) and a flute-player close to the model of Falguières.