Wednesday 3 December 2008

The Negresco.


I don't think I would ever tire of looking at this building. It truly is a magnificent piece of architecture and design. I have actually featured the Negresco right at the beginning of this blog but I think it's worth a revisit.
The facts: the hotel was built by a Romanian called Henri Negresco who was director of the municipal casino when he had the clever idea of building a sumptuous hotel to attract the moneyed classes to the riviera. It was designed by Edouard Niemans with the pink dome being designed by Eiffel. The chandelier composed of 16,309 crystals was by Baccarat so we really are talking top of the range. The chandelier is especially stunning though it's hard to capture its beauty in a photo.
The hotel opened in 1913 but was turned into a hospital during the first world war and then fell into the hands of creditors after the war. Negresco died at the young age of 52.
In 1957 the hotel was bought by the Augier family who turned the hotel's fortunes round. The hotel now houses an important art collection and a famous restaurant as well as being a 4 star hotel and a listed French monument. The hotel has its own web site in English and French and even if you can't visit in person, you can take the cyber tour and take a look at that chandelier.

13 comments:

Olivier said...

photo ;o)) il est superbe, il me fait penser a ces vieux hôtels américains.

Catherine said...

Moi, à un paquebot, blanc à l'exterieur et luxueux à l'intérieur, devant la mer, clientèle très aisée.

magiceye said...

yes. you are indeed right. it truly is a magnificent piece of architecture and design. and the history is interesting too.

humanobserver said...

You are true....It is truly magnificent....I loved its architecture and design.

Hilda said...

Oh wow. Sounds fabulous! On my way to their website now!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Well I could wax lyrical about this infamous place all day. Sheer glamour of yesteryear from Charlie Chaplin to Isadora Duncan. Majestic is a word that springs to mind. One day I would like to splurge and actually stay there.

angela said...

babooshka; Apparently they have mink bedspreads..

Jilly said...

Mink bedspreads! I'm surprised cos the owner is a dog mad lady I'd not have thought she'd have mink, or any fur, on a bed! Do take a pic one day of the doorman...

This is lovely, Angela - such a beautiful hotel and a landmark in Nice.

Jill said...

It is a stunning building Angela.

Tash said...

Magnificent, regal building. I enjoyed reading the interesting details about it too.

Virginia said...

wow how did I miss this yesterday? Gorgeous just like all your fabulous photos.

Rob said...

Fantastic, a photographic gem!

il siciliano di francia said...

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