Our take
A row of imperial chalets from the 1860s in the middle of town: two-tone bricks, wooden balconies, steep roofs. Napoleon III's Vichy fits into a single row of façades.
The chalets built for Napoleon III and his court, on the Boulevard des États-Unis in Vichy. Listed as historic monuments, to look at from the pavement.
On the Boulevard des États-Unis, facing the park, a row of chalets stands out from the rest of Vichy. This is where Napoleon III and his court settled to take the waters, from the 1860s on.
Most of it is the work of the architect Jean Lefaure: steep roofs and cut-out woodwork in the Alpine vein, galleries and bow windows in the colonial vein. The Emperor's chalet, built in 1864, is recognisable by its two-tone bricks and its large wooden balconies. Its terraces face the park, as the Emperor was keen to escape the gaze of the curistes (people taking the cure).
Façades, roofs and gardens have been listed as historic monuments since July 1972. The whole group remains private property: you look at it from the pavement, and there are no visits inside. Allow ten minutes to walk the row, and carry on to the Parc Napoléon III, just opposite.
Why we love it
- The Emperor's chalet and its two-tone bricks
- The wooden balconies and steep roofs, the work of Jean Lefaure
- A row of imperial residences facing the park
Top tip
It is all private property: you look from the pavement, you don't go into the gardens. Follow on with the Parc Napoléon III, just opposite, and the rest of the thermal architecture in the centre.
Before you go
- At the end of the day, during a stroll in the neighbouring park.
- Private property: you visit from the pavement
- Allow ten minutes to walk the row
- The Parc Napoléon III is just opposite
Practical info
- Address
- 107 Bd des États Unis, 03200 Vichy, France
03200 Vichy - Monday24 hours
- Tuesday24 hours
- Wednesday24 hours
- Thursday24 hours
- Friday24 hours
- Saturday24 hours
- Today24 hours
Opening hours
What visitors say
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Around Chalets de l'Empereur
44 spots in and around Vichy, enough to build your day.
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€€Bouillon des Artistes
4.3Vichy · a 5-minute walk away
€€Bar Le Bazar Vichy
4.4Vichy · a 5-minute walk away
€€Café des Sources
4.9Vichy · a 5-minute walk away
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