Hôtel Splendide, Heritage hotel building in Aix-les-Bains, France.
Hôtel Splendide is a Belle-Époque-era hotel building in Aix-les-Bains combining limestone and cut stone with slate roofing. Inside, frescoes created by Genevan artists decorate the spacious halls and rooms, reflecting the grandeur expected in a thermal resort of that period.
The structure was built between 1881 and 1883 by architect Antoine Gouy as the first phase of the Royal-Splendide-Excelsior complex. This development marked a period of rapid growth in Aix-les-Bains as the town was establishing itself as a premier thermal resort destination.
The name reflects the prosperity of a thermal resort destination, embodying the spirit of wealth and leisure that defined Aix-les-Bains in the late 1800s. Visitors can observe how the grand interior spaces reveal the lifestyle of affluent guests who came to enjoy the spa facilities.
The building now serves as private apartments, so interior visits are typically not permitted. However, you can appreciate the architectural details of the facade and overall structure from the outside, particularly the stonework and slate roof.
The building combines multiple construction materials including concrete, limestone, cut stone, textured coating, and slate in a carefully balanced composition. This diversity of materials was typical of ambitious construction projects of that era and gives the structure its distinctive character.
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