160 Years of Tradition and Progress
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160 YEARS OF TRADITION AND PROGRESS HOTEL PROJECT, GENERAL PLAN – 1857 The history of the Beau-Rivage Palace begins in March 1861, at the dawn of the Belle Epoque, “the beautiful age”, whose progress and splendor left their mark on Europe. In Lausanne, a small town better known for its slopes, landscapes and clean air, the creation of the palace upset the peaceful calm of its shores, between contrast and contradiction, eventually arousing grudging general admiration. One hundred and sixty years have already passed since the first guest arrived at this illustrious hotel, an icon of yesterday, today and tomorrow that continues to fascinate and distinguish itself by its authenticity, staying faithful to its lifelong philosophy in the quest for excellence with a human face. ... on the occasion of this th 160 anniversary, we invite you to relive history. BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND AN INSTITUTION STEEPED IN HISTORY ON THE SHORES OF LAKE GENEVA For the first time, March 24, 1861. Behind the doors of the The stakes are high for this luxury hotel whose purpose is to Beau-Rivage, a new hotel establishment on the Quais d’Ouchy make Ouchy, a small former fishing port, a tourist destination in Lausanne, the manager Alexandre Rufenacht and his teams able to compete with the sought-after addresses on the shores are getting ready for the of Lake Geneva, the new grand opening. El Dorado for wealthy European tourists. Overlooking the bay, Lausanne’s first luxury offering a breathtaking hotel already charms its natural spectacle to visitors. Fascinated by its whoever stops by, the Beau-Rivage reflects all the charm of instant success, tour guides describe it as one of the largest, most Italian buildings whose neoclassical style, topped with a flat beautiful, best located and best managed in all of Switzerland. This roof, recalls the splendid palaces of the neighboring country. hotel, whose very emblem conjures up a landscape quality, is on the verge of inventing its own legend. inventing its own legend BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND Quickly gaining a reputation for its welcome, its comfort, its tranquility and its standards of well-being, the Beau-Rivage is a must-see among Europe’s aristocratic and bourgeois elites. History shows that it will actually be 47 years later, under the leadership of the ambitious Jacques Tschumi, that the Beau-Rivage will establish its credentials and the reputation it enjoys today. This visionary and iconic Bernese manager will play a crucial role in the international influence of the hotel and the city of Lausanne, true ambassadors of the art of living well and of Swiss hospitality expertise. Beau-Rivage becomes Beau-Rivage Palace He sets up for the city the prestigious Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne to train excellent hotel personnel. In Ouchy, he helps the Beau-Rivage to become the Beau-Rivage Palace. Daring and innovative, Jacques Tschumi deviates from the conventional. He adds an additional wing to the original building, connects the two buildings with the imposing Rotunda with Renaissance roof, and adds 123 additional rooms. BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND The magnificent Sandoz ballroom emerges from this extension, These will watch over the splendid banquets, social events its Otto Haberer paintings on the large dome recalling the and other historic conferences held there. Carpeaux nymphs of the Opera Garnier. BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND Though his gamble is risky, Jacques Tschumi chooses to believe in it. BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE AND THE GROWTH OF LAUSANNE TOURISM 1857 The formula works and the Beau-Rivage hotel will quickly become a preferred address, recognized as much for its location and exceptional views as for the quality of its personnel who provide warm and discreet the art of living well service, bringing together all the necessary ingredients of the real art of living well — where one relishes a long stay. The Société Immobilière d’Ouchy (SIO) undertakes the redevelopment of the Quais d’Ouchy to transform them into a public promenade. When suitably laid out and decorated, the promenade would undoubtedly be the most beautiful anywhere on Lake Geneva’s shores. He plans to build a luxury establishment, a holiday resort for travelers looking for a Swiss pied-à-terre. The goal is to make Lausanne village an essential stopover on one of the routes followed by Europeans on the Grand Tour to reach Italy. BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND 1949 a new vision of travel American tourists flock to Europe at the end of the Second World War and become the Beau-Rivage Palace’s most important clientele. Americans love thrilling landscapes and experiences, and their world view brings to the tourism industry a new vision of travel that is both liberated and uninhibited. They make the Beau-Rivage Palace an essential stopover on their visit to Switzerland. In the words of Walter Schnyder, the manager at the time, the Beau- Rivage Palace is above all, a place of reunion: “[Our clients] They are our frequent guests who, from generation to generation […], come back more or less regularly, spend […] a few weeks, a few months. These families, whose parents were born or got married at the Beau-Rivage, keep the memories alive by telling us ‘we feel a bit at home.’” BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND Even today, the Beau-Rivage Palace with its inspiring variations shades of the sunny docks, the atmosphere here is at once remains a preferred pied-à-terre on the shores of Lake Geneva. timeless, relaxing and powerful. The quality of its welcome From the green of the surrounding nature to the shimmering now revealed, its name shines beyond the Alpine peaks. the atmosphere here is at once timeless, relaxing and powerful BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE, BARRY LEVINSON COCO CHANEL CHARLIE CHAPLIN “Her lunchtime appearance, DALAÏ-LAMA after prolonged preparations, was THE GLAMOROUS PALACE a dramatic entrance. If she was forgotten DIANA ROSS by the rabble, her image and her allure ELTON JOHN rekindled the memories of the Beau- GIANNI VERSACE Rivage clientele.” – Michel Déon, Bagages pour Vancouver, Mes arches de Noé, Paris : GRACE KELLY ET LE PRINCE La Table Ronde, 1985, p. 17-21. RAINIER III DE MONACO GUILLAUME CANNET GEORGES SIMENON MARION COTILLARD “The Beau-Rivage — where every effort JEAN-PAUL BELMONDO is made to make you feel at home.” KEANU REEVES LIZA MINNELLI TINA TURNER NESLON MANDELLA “Beau-Rivage Palace, I enjoyed your hotel and will certainly be back in the WINSTON CHURCHILL near future.” MARGARETH THATCHER PAUL AUSTER JEANNE MOREAU PIERRE CARDIN “At the Beau-Rivage hotel PRINCE ALBERT DE MONACO I found everything — the tranquility, Sofia Lauren at the Beau-Rivage Palace PRINCE PHILIPPE, the courtesy, the confidence, and DUC D’EDIMBOURG an exceptional, friendly team. I would like to come back often to this place for SERGE GAINSBOURG work and creative thinking, and find all Discreet observers, the walls of the Beau-Rivage Palace keenly listen to SOFIA LAUREN the efficient and warm people that have made my stay so rewarding.” the voices of illustrious characters who have paraded through its portals. GABRIELLE CHANEL Crowned heads, statesmen, personalities from the world of film, artists, PATTI SMITH PATTI SMITH writers, athletes — all once walked the corridors of this great institution JOHN KERRY “Thank you for having us as guests in whose design is the result of a fantastic combination of tastes and styles. GARY COOPER your beautiful hotel with a view of the Fleeting moments that leave behind lasting memories recounted in the JOEL COEN white mountains and the stunning lake guest books, guardians of the past and the future. MICHEL HAZANAVICIUS with its swans.” BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE: KEY DATES 1857 1861 1865 1877 1888 • The Société Immobilière • March 24, inauguration of the • Beau-Rivage is the first hotel • Commissioning of the • Jacques Tschumi appointed d’Ouchy (SIO) entrusts Beau-Rivage with manager in Ouchy to be mentioned Lausanne-Ouchy cable car, manager of the Beau-Rivage Lausanne architects Achille Alexandre Rufenacht at the in a tourist guide, the Guides directly linked to the railway Palace. de la Harpe and Jean-Baptiste helm. Joanne. “Beau-Rivage, one station which has undergone Bertolini with the Beau-Rivage of the largest, most beautiful, significant development project to redevelop the Quais best located and best following the establishment d’Ouchy. managed in all of Switzerland.” of lines to Valais, Bern and, (Joanne, 1865, p. 85). finally, Paris. 1893 1908 1912 1923 1946 • Jacques Tschumi creates the • Opening on June 19 of the • Signing of the Treaty of Ouchy • Hosting of the conference • Gabrielle Chanel unpacks her Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne. Palace wing, designed by at the Beau-Rivage Palace of the Treaty of Lausanne suitcases at the Beau-Rivage architect Eugène Jost in the which ends the Italo-Turkish that draws the borders Palace. She will stay there neo-baroque style. Beau- War. of present-day Turkey. regularly before acquiring Rivage becomes Beau-Rivage a villa high above Lausanne. Palace. BEAU-RIVAGE PALACE I LAUSANNE I SWITZERLAND 1952 1964 1968 2005 2009 • Charlie Chaplin and his wife • Edouard-Marcel Sandoz • Albert Cohen publishes • Opening of the hotel’s first spa, • Anne-Sophie Pic, the world’s Oona move to Switzerland, creates the Sandoz Family his novel Belle du seigneur, which later becomes the Cinq most starred female chef, spending their first night Foundation, today the majority inspired by the romantic Mondes Spa. opens her eponymous at the Beau-Rivage Palace. shareholder of Beau-Rivage atmosphere of the Beau- restaurant at the Beau-Rivage Palace SA.