Castel-Gesta, Gothic Revival villa in Chalets district, Toulouse, France
Castel-Gesta is a Gothic Revival villa with symmetrically arranged rooms and detailed medieval-style architecture. The building features ornate stained glass windows, carved stone sculptures, wooden carvings, and decorative metalwork throughout.
Louis-Victor Gesta established this residence in 1862 and founded a stained glass workshop adjacent to it. This workshop grew into one of France's largest manufacturers of decorative glasswork.
The rooms feature murals with painted portraits celebrating figures who shaped Toulouse and its development. This decoration reflects how the owner honored the city and those who made it important.
The building has been carefully restored to preserve its architectural and craft elements. Visitors should allow time to examine the fine details of the stone carvings, wooden work, and metalwork throughout.
Recent restoration work uncovered two lost wall paintings depicting the Académie des Jeux Floraux and the Royal Academy of Painting. These discoveries revealed the artistic and historical layers hidden within the building.
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