The Grand Hotel

Take a moment to really appreciate the stunning façade of the Grand Hôtel standing just across the street. This building tells a story from the golden age of French spa culture. Let’s travel back to 1858. For the first time in Aix-les-Bains’ history, a purpose-built palace was constructed to properly welcome wealthy European spa guests.

Designed by Charles-Bernard Pellegrini, it occupies a prime spot between the baths and the casino, right in what would soon be called the “Golden Triangle.” One of the hotel’s groundbreaking features was its central atrium, a vast open courtyard stretching across several floors, topped with a grand glass roof. This design floods the hotel’s interior with natural light, creating an atmosphere that’s both elegant and inviting.

From the galleries surrounding the atrium on each level, guests could watch the activity below, exchange glances, or greet one another as they passed by. It became a vibrant social hub, both intimate and theatrical. The Grand Hôtel was also among the first hotels in Aix-les-Bains to install an elevator, a near-futuristic luxury at the time. Originally named the Hôtel Royal de Savoie, it was renamed Hôtel Impérial under Napoleon III, before finally becoming the Grand Hôtel in 1870.

Its walls welcomed prestigious guests like Queen Victoria, composer Wagner, maharajas, and princes from the East, figures who helped establish Aix-les-Bains as an international destination. Riding this wave of success, the hotel expanded between 1898 and 1902, adding two more floors to reach four stories. But the two World Wars brought this golden era to a halt. In 1953, the palace was converted into apartments and offices, marking the end of an era.

Thankfully, in 1986, the building was listed as a Historic Monument, protecting its majestic façade and central glass roof. Even today, behind these tranquil walls, the atrium still fills the space with its golden light, a lasting echo of a lost way of life.