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Came across this place by chance after a trip out to see Bezier. This sumptuous mansion sticks out like a sore thumb. It is over the road from a new shopping development, behind it a social housing scheme and to the right an abandoned garage. It’s been left a bit high and dry as other buildings around it have been demolished. This beautiful old house is pretty much near in the centre of Beziers and was originally a hotel called Hotel Chappaz. It was built by Joseph Chappaz, a wealthy wine merchant who specialised in Vermouths including Noilly-Prat. He funded its construction in 1868 for his wife Augustine. He also commissioned Jean Antoine Injalbert (1845-1933), a famous local sculptor, to execute the statues on the building’s fantastic front façade. Apparently the building subsequently passed to the ownership of a wealthy local family and was last inhabited by the mother who died about eight years ago. Her son, however, was not interested in living in the house and tried to sell the property but, as is often the case, there were no takers and the place has sat boarded up and in neglect. The house was apparently under threat of demolition a couple of years ago but is now rumoured to be going to be restored and used as offices for lawyer's as new court house or ‘Palace de Justice’ is due to be built next door.
Having parked up and had a quick look round I could see no obvious point of entry hence sadly it’s externals only. I did find a report for this place on the 'other' site and the person did gain entry. His report showed it is pretty much stripped inside and crumbling but still retains some stunning features. The ground floor is almost entirely made from red and crème marble and it has some amazing fire-places still in-situ and a central staircase to die for. Was in two minds whether to do a report with just externals but given it hasn’t been done on here before and the sculptures make it rather special, decided to go for it.
The front is a total wow factor:
img4457 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Jean Antoine Injalbert’s sculptures on the building’s front façade are in goodish nick and amazing:
img4469 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4460 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The lower one in this pair has had a nose job though!
img4466 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4467bw by HughieDW, on Flickr
Round the side to the right there’s an amazing wrought-iron and glass canopy that’s seen better days:
img4463 by HughieDW, on Flickr
img4462 by HughieDW, on Flickr
The back elevation is less impressive:
img4464 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Not too sure what happened here:
img4465 by HughieDW, on Flickr
There are also a handful of out-buildings too:
img4468 by HughieDW, on Flickr
Let’s hope it does indeed get saved…
Having parked up and had a quick look round I could see no obvious point of entry hence sadly it’s externals only. I did find a report for this place on the 'other' site and the person did gain entry. His report showed it is pretty much stripped inside and crumbling but still retains some stunning features. The ground floor is almost entirely made from red and crème marble and it has some amazing fire-places still in-situ and a central staircase to die for. Was in two minds whether to do a report with just externals but given it hasn’t been done on here before and the sculptures make it rather special, decided to go for it.
The front is a total wow factor:
img4457 by HughieDW, on FlickrJean Antoine Injalbert’s sculptures on the building’s front façade are in goodish nick and amazing:
img4469 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4460 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe lower one in this pair has had a nose job though!
img4466 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4467bw by HughieDW, on FlickrRound the side to the right there’s an amazing wrought-iron and glass canopy that’s seen better days:
img4463 by HughieDW, on Flickrimg4462 by HughieDW, on FlickrThe back elevation is less impressive:
img4464 by HughieDW, on FlickrNot too sure what happened here:
img4465 by HughieDW, on FlickrThere are also a handful of out-buildings too:
img4468 by HughieDW, on FlickrLet’s hope it does indeed get saved…
