Ancien chalet-hôpital de la Côte d'Echery

English translation

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History

In 1914, Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines and its territory, integrated into the German empire, witnessed confrontations between German and French armies. The "Swiss chalet", established on the Côte d'Echery in 1914, was requisitioned during the conflict and transformed into a complete medical post (pharmacist, dentist...). It was also equipped with a laundry and a swimming pool with beach. The medical installation was completed, in 1916, by showers and a coal-fired boiler. The installations were built below the chalet itself. The terrace, still in place to this day, rests on a retaining wall. If most of the above-ground elements have today disappeared, the beach, the location of the boiler, the basins as well as the retaining wall are still visible. The chalet itself is built of wood with, on the ground floor, a large room and a kitchen, a lounge and two bedrooms on the first floor, four on the second. Its decoration is Alpine in inspiration and the façade features a balcony with balustrades decorated with geometric motifs. The layout of the rooms, the doors and double windows are preserved. Inscriptions on the walls testify to the passage of German soldiers in this place.