Villa Demoiselle

Art Nouveau emerged between 1890 and 1910 as one of Europe's most influential architectural and decorative movements. Architects of this period broke from historical precedents to develop a new visual language characterized by curved lines, plant motifs and richly ornamented facades. The movement took different names across countries: Modernisme in Catalonia, Jugendstil in German-speaking regions, Secession in Austria and Liberty in Italy. This diversity led to regional interpretations that incorporated local craft traditions and cultural characteristics. This collection includes buildings across Barcelona, Paris, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Brussels and other European cities. In Barcelona, works by Antoni Gaudí and his contemporaries shape entire streetscapes, including Casa Batlló with its undulating facade and the Sant Pau Recinte Modernista. Paris preserves the celebrated metro stations by Hector Guimard, while Budapest features the Gresham Palace, Museum of Applied Arts and Gellért Baths. Vienna presents characteristic examples of the Austrian variant with the Secession Building and Majolica House. The collection also includes less visited sites such as the Kőrössy Villa in Kecskemét, Horta Museum in Brussels and the railway station in Helsingør, Denmark.

Between 1890 and 1910, Art Nouveau spread across Europe, producing buildings that combined craft traditions with industrial techniques through organic forms, natural motifs, and detailed ornamental work. Architects including Victor Horta in Brussels, Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, and Otto Wagner in Vienna designed structures that departed from historical revival styles, instead emphasizing curved lines, wrought iron elements, and colored glass. The movement encompassed concert halls and railway stations as well as private homes and commercial facades, creating a body of work that remains central to the architectural identity of several European cities. Visitors can trace this development through multiple locations. Brussels offers the Victor Horta Museum, Tassel House, and Hôtel van Eetvelde as prime examples of the Belgian variant. Barcelona showcases Gaudí's Casa Batlló and Bellesguard alongside the Palau de la Musica Catalana with its elaborate tilework. Paris preserves Hector Guimard's Métropolitain entrances and the Lavirotte Building, while Prague presents the Municipal House and the Bedřich Smetana Museum. Nancy serves as a center of French Art Nouveau with the School Museum and Villa Majorelle, and Budapest displays the style through Gresham Palace and the Liszt Academy of Music. From Riga to Turin, Vienna to Belgrade, these buildings document a brief but influential period when architects reshaped urban environments across the continent.

Reims is a city where different historical periods naturally exist side by side, making it a favorite for photographers. Churches and palaces from the Middle Ages stand near Roman ruins, while underground caves have been turned into champagne cellars. These underground spaces offer special settings, away from natural light, where the walls tell the story of past centuries. Walking through the streets of Reims, you see finely crafted stone facades, decorative sculptures, and buildings that show each period of its building history. The Place Royale with its statue of Louis XV, the Town Hall in Renaissance style, the Reims Cathedral in Gothic, and the Sube Fountain with art deco shapes all show this flow of styles. The shady parks around the city offer green spots to rest and new views of the buildings. Surrounding Reims, the vineyards grow grapes for champagne and complete this historic view. The city invites slow exploration, where each corner holds something to find—an architecture detail, an underground opening, a Roman remnant. By wandering like this, you can see how Reims has changed over time and how its history is still visible in the current cityscape.