The roofs and facades of the Spont chalets (private villas), built between 1848 and 1855, belong to the great cosmopolitan spa architecture of the 19th century with their style inspired by Swiss architecture in which the Alpine taste for wooden decoration flourishes.
The most famous villas on the Allées d’Etigny are the Spont chalets at number 56. These are 3 buildings built between 1848 and 1855 by Mrs and Mr Spont in a vast park, who, on returning from their honeymoon in Switzerland, were seduced by Alpine architecture and wanted to recreate this atmosphere. The smallest chalet, set back, was the owners’ accommodation. The 2 larger chalets, one of which borders the driveways and has 5 levels of living space, were rented out to wealthy spa guests and have welcomed many illustrious guests. In fact, it was after staying here that the Grand Duke of Russia, brother of the Tsar, invited Marcel Spont and his guide to climb in the Caucasus.
