Ceramic Hotel - Art Nouveau Architecture

Walking down the Avenue de Wagram towards the Arc de Triomphe, you will notice this unusual looking building. The "Ceramic Hotel" was designed by Jules Lavirotte, in the style of Art Nouveau while this art movement was in full swing.

The architect worked with Alexandre Bigot, a notorious ceramic maker and sculptor Camille Alaphilippe. The armed concrete is covered with flamed sandstone tiles, hence the name of the hotel. The curvy façade and its bow windows are decorated with flowery and vegetal motifs.

It was originally commissioned as an apartment building by a lady who wanted her building to stand out. A century later, it still does. Sadly the interior decor has not been preserved as the Art Nouveau movement was short lived and was only revisited in the 1970's and celebrated again...