SRAEP (Regional Affairs: Department ofCultural Côte d’AzurRegional The Provence-Alpes- The GulfofSaint-Tropez Pays desMaures Information Systemofthe The SIVOMGeographic The PaysdesMaures Saint-Tropez The SIVUoftheGulf Department The CulturalServices The Tourist Office The CommunalArchives Department The PublicRelations Planning Department The Town andCountry The CityofSainte-Maxime: Forissier families The Bianchi,Rebuffat and Thanks to Heritage discovery. Thematic itineraries 20th-century architecture Maures) B. (SIVUofthePays Romagnan des B. (STAP Krysik 83), Design andediting: Department Relations The CityofSainte-Maxime, thePublic Photos &creation: www.resagolfe.com Tel: +33(0)494552200 Carrefour delaFoux-Gassin The Pays desMaures Tropez The Tourist OfficeoftheGulfSaint www.sainte-maxime.com Tel: +33(0)4945575 Simon-Lorière Promenade Aymeric The TouristOffice*** For moreinformation department and Heritage)oftheVar Department ofArchitecture STAP (Territorial and Protected Areas) Department ofArchitecture

20th-century architecture in Sainte-Maxime . ning structures datingfrom the20thcentury designates remarkable architectural andurban-plan- Awarded by ofCulture, theFrench Ministry thislabel Heritage»label «20th-Century completed in1926. «Square 16th-century Tower» andthegardens ofthe Villa Bellevue, Sainte-Maxime boaststwo historicmonuments: the thereby benefitfromlegalprotection. or regional levelaccording totheirimportance, they edifices total 50,000 in . Listed at the national times,Dating fromantiquitytomodern thesemonumentsand Historic monument society. This movement’s architectural influencecontinues. and theappearance ofnewtechnologies hadaprofoundeffecton Function prevailed atatimewhenindustrialdevelopment over form A newmovement arose, characterized by pure geometricallines. metamorphosis ofsuch artsasdance, graphicsandarchitecture. In 1919, announced the theso-calledBauhausschool inGermany Movement Modern andstructural coherency.geometrical forms tic domains including that of architecture, Art Deco values simplicity, cluttered Art Nouveaustyleofthe1900s.Present innumerousartis- This styletriumphedduringtheinterwar periodinreaction tothe Art Deco of-a-kind buildings. artistic andarchitectural stylesandperiods in order todesign one- Between 1860and1920, thismovement borrowed fromvarious Eclecticism a refined, simplemannerfree ofclichés. This movement seekstointerpret thelocalarchitectural tradition in Neo-regionalism Short glossary Deputy MayorinchargeofCulture Jehanne Arnaud of UrbanPlanningandtheEnvironment First DeputyMayorincharge Micheline Martel Mayor ofSainte-Maxime Vincent Morisse thisplanmusthelpusprotect. that tomorrow, weconsiderthehistorictreasures that itisonlyappropriate our LocalUrbanDevelopmentPlanoutliningtheSainte-Maximeof our common heritage.preserve of During the current elaboration The objectiveofthesetoursistoshare, promoteand«sustainably» architectural styles. combiningmodern, heritage little known Provençaland Art Deco itinerarieshere-inpresentedinviteyoutoexplorea The thematic refined modernity, acertainartofliving. embodying mingledwitha during whichtheProvençalidentityofoldvillage ofthesebuildingsshedslightonthisinterwarperiod,The rediscovery was widelyimitated. home and abroad.both at His elegant, sober and well-balanced style Maxime-based architectbecameafamousfigureofneo-regionalism dynamic, refinedimpression. thisSainte- We areproudofthefactthat sobriety: geometricallystylizedvegetalformsandtaut, clean linesfora style ischaracteristicofthe Art Decomovement, withitspurityand Darde, thetown’s architectactiveduringthisperiod. emblematic Their Starting inthe1920s, numerousvillaswerebuilt, particularlybyRené architectural style. itsown into anelegantseasideresortcultivating residences, beentransformed ofSainte-Maximehasslowly thevillage Not farfromtheFrench Rivierarichingrandhotelsandbourgeois An architecturaltour

Avenue BerthieAlbrecht The developmentofhotels The heartofthevillage Changing architecture respect theowners’privacy. Private buildingsnotopentovisitors.Please Careful: amoreopen viewthantheydotoday.the seaenjoyed Self-guided tour. d’Italie, paceinthe1920s. gathered The imposingvillaslinedupfacing ofthiselegant avenue,The urbanization astheRoute formerlyknown withsunbathing,associated andoutdoorsports. swimming became increasinglyfrequentedduringthesummermonthsand towintertourism,Prestigious establishmentsinitiallydedicated they neartheshore.«grand hotels»oftensituated of those the chic This atmosphere shorter tour takes a look back at during the1920s, notablythankstotheprojectsofRenéDarde. in Sainte-Maxime spirit found a unique architectural interpretation and modernstructures. theProvençal how Itisinterestingtoobserve This touremphasizesthecoexistenceinSainte-Maximeofoldhouses methods ofconstruction. developed thanks totheuseofconcreteandnew of the1950sthat eclecticism totherefined, ofthetailend19thcentury soberstyle first halfofthe20thcentury. Thearchitecturalstylesrangefromthe contributed tothetouristdevelopmentofSainte-Maximeduring This tourhighlightsthepresenceofqualityarchitecturehaving 4 3 2 1

The tours 20 minutes 45 minutes 45 minutes Self-guided

1 and . typical French Riviera-style to be found in Saint-Raphaël, and modillions. Amazingly, theseconstructionscomeclosest tothe friezes,shoulders withdecorative aswell cornices, mouldings classicism isinfactexaggerated. Prominentpedimentsrub one-of-a-kind structures.order tocreate The residences’apparent architecturalstyle, fromevery This movementdrewinspiration in numerous seasideresorts. «eclecticism», illustrate century astylepopularduringthisperiodin theend of the19th houses builtat Rue de Verdun:- thesefinetown hallannexe. opposite thetown Village», headtoPlacePasteur Tour 2, «The Heart of the To with continuethisitinerary NEXT photo). bas-relief on thenorthside(archival overlooking thesea. Don’tmissthe ofitssuperbterrace disappearance successive additions, leadingtothe structure hasbeensubjectedto gulf. Unfortunately, this Art Deco European squadronsmooredinthe smart setandofficersfromthe includes thehighsociety, theParisian The casino’s clientele contemporary and hasremained open tothisday. in1929 the casinowasinaugurated constructed byRenéDardein1922, Replacing theMiramar, adancebar the firsthalfof20thcentury. from ofmodernconstructiontechniquestoa structuredating application the castingofsuchafinestructure. Thisbridgeisarareexampleofthe string. for a sortofbow thecomplexityofformworknecessary Imagine functions bywayofcompression, as whilethehorizontalroadwayserves metres andismadeofreinforcedconcrete. The upper, beam bow-shaped An elegantviaductcompletedin1935, thePont du Préconilspans50 8 2 8

1 Changingarchitecture 8 8 2 1

attract newresidents(archivalphoto). attract of «2lifts, chutesandcentralheating», garbage hopingtothereby developer emphasizeditsmodernconveniences, withtheinstallation architect André Barbier-Bouvet andcompletedin1933. The property and3shops,comprising 30apartments was designedbythe «Le Mauritania», today’s «Palais duSoleil»: thisresidentialproperty, 7 19th century. 50metresafterthebridge. Antiquity, athemeinvogueontheFrench theendof Rivieraat bas-relief representingaquadrigaisnone-too-subtlereferenceto Maxime byRenéDardeforthecanonPiffaut. The westernwall’s residence isthoughttobethefirstvillaconstructedinSainte- Villa laCroisette(asseenfromthebridge): Builtin1913, this 2 b b 2 b 7

villa and its gate were brought up to date inthe1930s. werebroughtuptodate villa anditsgate moving work«Onthe Water, fromSaint-Tropez toMonte-Carlo». This «Le Bel Ami». canbefoundinhis An accountofhislittoraltravels formerly called, whileexploringthe coastaboardhissailingboat stayedinthe«VillaSimone»,de Maupassantmusthave asitwas the famouswriter, hadthisvillabuiltbetween1891and1893. Guy N° 50, the«Béthanie»villa: deMaupassant, CountGustave of father annexebuilding. as wellthesmallwave-shaped affords a lovely view of the rotunda, a sort of slender, vertical «prow», and fluidityhaschangedlittleoverthepasthalfcentury. Thebridge architect André Déperi, thisarchitecturalgroupingcombiningrigour Le Splendid Azur: Builtbetween1952and1961bytheNice-based 3 6 (no photo)

3 label) screen wall. Heritage (20th-Century and a terra cotta geometric parapets by apediment and bas-relief, the the roundedcornersurmounted can admire the oversized columns, game popularduringthisperiod. One evokes anabstractconstruction work, thecompositionoffaçade striking immediately Art Decodetail Bret (1899-1939). Inadditiontothe built in 1929 by the architect Henri J. Jaurèsand Ave. Ch. DeGaulle): The Palais desSirènes(corner of Ave. sculptor JeanPortal (1912-2009). de laMer)bytheSainte-Maxime August 1944»(behindthe Théâtre Tourist Office)and«Memorialof15 to the Casino), «Day» (next to the At n°30: «Night»(beforetheentrance bas-relief byPompini. wall oftheCasino: «TheSwimmers» Laszlo (1902-1961). Onthenorthern the entryway: amosaicbyLadislas de Lattre Tassigny. At n°22, over A fewstructureson Avenue de 4 5 5 4 4 3 3 3

9a 9 11 12 4 Avenue Berthie-Albrecht 9b 9c 9d 10 Self-guided tour (see other side for overall map) This self-guided tour can be enjoyed alone or as a family, in the manner of a treasure hunt by attempting to discover the architectural details and motifs proposed below, for a personal appreciation of Sainte-Maxime’s urban environment.

9 10 11 a Place Pasteur (9a): the former town hall of Sainte-Maxime was On Place Colbert, one can’t help but admire this lovely building by Place des Sarazins: at n° 3 can be found a unique building built designed by René Tomenotti and built during the mandate of René Darde, built in 1925. It was known as the «Olivier House» after around 1930, on the former site of an inn that collapsed in 1923. Be 3 Siméon Fabre, mayor from 1928 to 1935. This lovely building its owner, a wine merchant who installed his warehouse and shop sure to admire its cubist bow windows, a modern interpretation of livens up the square, despite its somewhat mannered style on the ground floor. The first floor includes two large loggias with this classic feature. The original tubular parapets further emphasize typical of the period. It currently serves as the town hall annexe. columns. The building has been modified with the addition of a the building’s one-of-a-kind design. The development René DARDE second floor. The square presents certain of hotels 1883-1960 b interesting aspects. The façade at n° 4 (9b) is enlivened by slightly protruding window ledges whose At the end of the 19th century, the opening up of new communication Born in Chatou (Yvelines) in 1883, René Darde attended the École curve is underlined by four 2 The old village routes – notably 98 along the sea (today’s D559) Nationale des Beaux Arts («National Fine Arts Academy») in Paris. In horizontal rows of bricks. The and the Paris-Lyon-Marseille railway (in 1890) – encouraged the 1912, he was hired by the Parisian architects Sauvage and Sarazin to entryway’s semicircular arch is development of winter tourism in Sainte-Maxime. monitor the construction of the Hôtel Beauvallon in Grimaud. c also emphasized, as is the more 12 16 Rue Paul Bert dates from 1926 discreet entrance of n° 10 (9c). In While boarding in Sainte-Maxime, he met Alberte-Marie Santin, whose Here, René Darde successfully the same spirit, the building at n° father owned the plots of land that would allow him to build numerous stacked up simple forms in the manner 15 The «Les Palmiers» hotel-restaurant (28 Rue Gabriel Peri) was 9 (9d) offers a few refined details built in 1927 by René Darde. villas. They were married in 1913. to the right of the doors and of a construction game to create a beautiful example of Art Deco perfectly windows, as well as delicate Intimately involved in local life, he was put in charge, alongside integrated into the village: wrought d corbelling overhanging a cor- Henri Prost, of establishing Sainte-Maxime’s development plan and iron railings, friezes and mosaic motifs. The former hotel «L’Arbois», inaugurated in the spring of 1934, ner planter. This house was built 16 afterwards became the town’s architect-planner. It is interesting to compare this was designed by René Darde: 5 floors, topped off with a recessed attic in 1935 by the architect Abel home to a panoramic restaurant, «La Tartane». Resolutely modern, e Delcourt on the former site of a building to n° 10, with its more banal and pastiched style. L’Arbois echoes the former tourist complex «Latitude 43» created in A lover of automobiles, René Darde created along with Count Edme barn. 1932 by G.-H. Pingusson and located on the opposite side of the Gulf de Rohan-Chabot the «Paris-Saint-Raphaël» woman’s road race. of Saint-Tropez. Following the war, he was named Expert Adviser to the Ministry of Reconstruction. Requisitioned as a hospital during the Second World War, L’Arbois is today a residential building. 13 With offices in Saint-Raphaël and Cannes, his sphere of activity Villa Aimée: Built in 1932, this extended all along the coast. He designed villas up until his death. residence attributed to Henri Pommier Off the doesn’t lack examples of formal 17 The «Grand Hôtel» was built around 1890 by «La Compagnie In the single town of Sainte-Maxime, he designed over a hundred daring. des Terrains du Littoral», then purchased in 1895 by Henri Saudan, structures, including «Le Clos de la Madrague» (1923), the casino itinerary, but The monumental pediment crowning a Swiss-born maître d’hôtel. This dynamic entrepreneur carried out (1929) and the hotel «L’Arbois» (1935). He was also active in Giens, not to be the main façade evokes the radiator numerous modifications and extensions. In 1930, he commissioned in Roquebrune-sur-Argens with the hotel «Le Val d’Esquières» (1932), f missed: grill of the cars so beloved by the René Darde to construct a seaside restaurant attached to the Grand and in Saint-Raphaël for its casino. architects of the time, while the Hôtel. This restaurant has since been replaced by a discotheque, «Le The park of the design of the «génoise» eaves calls to Saint-Hilaire», and a pizzeria, «La Terrasse de la Mer». mind the roof of a pagoda. Observe To admire René Darde’s work, see No 1, 2b, 10, 12, 13, et 14, 15, 16, g Bellevue Villa the detail work of the chimneys, During the Second World War, the Grand Hôtel was successively 17. Facing the sea in La Nartelle, balcony, fence and gate. requisitioned by the Italian, German and Franco-American armies. It is the park was listed a historic (20th-Century Heritage label) today a residential building. monument in 2005 (20th-Century Heritage label).

Constructed between 1925 and 1926 by the architect Léon Bailly, the a factory seen from the rear. park is structured around two sea-garden axes. The entire grounds The roof is that of a hangar, with vaults of reinforced concrete. 14 The parish church of Sainte-Maxime was built at the end of the 18th follow a promenade rising via a series of ramps adorned with To visit, contact the Tourist Office century to replace an older edifice that had become too cramped. In pergolas all the way up to the water tower-belvedere. The park Tel: +33 (0)4 94 55 75 55 1938, it was restored by the architect René Darde, who also added stands out for its use of an exclusive material, reinforced concrete, on a new wing as well as a gallery. for which the villa’s company-director owner, Mr Limousin, was the

promoter. Combining regionalism and modernity, the villa resembles ANSWERS h

; ;

Fourmigue m i

o

14 13 La 79 No h ; ; 55 No

; ; Pautinière La 87 No

g, i, m i, g,

f f ; ; 79 No

e, i, n i, e, ; ; 50 No

d, k k d, ; ;

No 37 No l

13 j

c ; ;

No 94 No o

b, j j b, ; ; 40 No

a ; ;

No 35 No k n