An Art Deco former hotel and its tree-filled garden of 4,500 m² along the edge of the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne - ref 590108
An Art Deco former hotel and its tree-filled garden of 4,500 m² along the edge of the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l'Orne.
In the west of the Orne department, the Pays de Passais is a former region straddling the border of Normandy and the historical and cultural region of Maine. As an integral part of the Normandy-Maine regional natural park, the Andaines public woodland surrounds the small town of Bagnols-de-l'Orne, the only spa town in western France, which has not only been recognised for its waters since the Middle Ages, but experienced a genuine tourism boom in the 1920s. As for the property, it is located 2 hours and 20 minutes from Paris by train, via the Briouze train station 25 minutes away, while the Caen-Carpiquet airport is one hour and 15 minutes away. In addition, the peaceful property is not far from the former hamlet of Tessé-la-Madeleine and its numerous shops, while Bagnoles-de-l'Orne's downtown area, with its shops, services and cultural facilities, is only 2 kilometres away.
Surrounded by many villas built in the Anglo-Norman style of the 1920-30s, the property, which contains one of the older buildings in the residential neighbourhood, is located on the corner of two quiet streets and partially concealed behind the tall trees of its garden, the latter of which still retains its original outline. Accessible via a private road in the back, the imposing three-storey building overlooks the street and is made up of an immense central structure, flanked by two right-angle wings and pavilions abutting each end.
Built over several periods, the edifice nevertheless exhibits a rather homogeneous style with false half-timbering, wrap-around stringcourses and brick arches, dormer windows, wooden guardrails and a slate Mansard roof. In addition, immense windows, a conservatory as well as a number of balconies and terraces enliven its stately exteriors.
The Art Deco HotelImmense and impressive, it is made up of a variety of volumes and materials, undulating roofs, wide windows and many balconies and terraces. Schist, false half-timbering and bricks evoke traditional Norman architecture, while the hotel's slate roof with its upper and lower slopes envelops the entire second floor. In addition, its garden-facing exterior is organised around the central building structure, topped with a stately dormer window, while the hotel's wings boldly frame the façade and are highlighted by clipped gable ends with brick arches. As for the entrance to the building, located in the middle of the hotel's symmetrical and remarkable northern exterior, it is topped by a porch whereas, on the second floor, brick arches and false half-timbering create an eye-catching geometrical pattern.
Regarding the back of the edifice, cadenced by many doors and windows, it is reserved for purposes related to the building's operations.
The garden-level floor
Flanked on either side by windows safeguarded by eye-catching grilles decorated with Art Deco patterns, the front door opens onto the immense reception area under a high ceiling with 1920s décor and, specifically, colourful mosaic floor tiles arranged in a lively geometrical design, while, in addition to the dark wood reception desk and key rack, the doors and wainscoting are all original. From here, the entrance hall provides access to different private spaces, including a bedroom and living room, each one with their own lavatory. Past the reception desk, a hallway leads, on one side, to the hotel's upper levels via a staircase, followed by several service rooms including an office, kitchen and laundry room, while, on the other side, it provides access to the reception areas made up of a succession of sunny rooms, in large part facing the conservatory and garden to the east, with high ceilings and hardwood floors decorated with brightly-coloured cement tile rugs in ...
