Earlier in Year 4, we visited our friends Eliane and Jean-Charles who live in the town of Vichy.
Today, Vichy is a peaceful place. However, in the past, Vichy was bustling with activity, during mid-1850's, around the beginning of the 20th century, and also during the mid-20th century (especially during WWII). More about Vichy's history later.
With our expert guides Eliane and Jean-Charles, who have lived in Vichy since 2015, we explored Vichy, including some of its churches, important buildings and historic homes.
The Église Saint-Blaise, rebuilt in the Art Deco style in the 1930's, is an architectural gem. It is unlike any church we have ever seen. The exterior is eye-catching and the interior is filled with beautiful mosaics and stained-glass windows.
The Église Saint-Louis, completed in 1865, is a traditional church with Romanesque and Gothic architectural features. It was financed by Emperor Napoleon III who first visited Vichy in 1861 to drink curative Vichy water. Napoleon III was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte (Emperor Napoleon I). During WWII, when the French government moved from Paris to Vichy, the church became the cathedral of the French State.
Several of the stained-glass windows in the church honor members of the Napoleon dynasty. One of the windows (pictured below) is dedicated to Saint Napoleon. The face resembles Napoleon I.
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| Closeup of Saint Napoleon |
We also visited Vichy's Second Empire casino (opened in 1865) and adjacent Art Nouveau opera house (opened in 1903).
Historic Homes:
Vichy's golden age began during the Second Empire when Emperor Napoleon III visited the town. Several chalets were built in the 1860's to house the Emperor and Empress and the entourage. One of the chalets was recently restored and we enjoyed a guided tour.
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| Our guide wore period clothing. |
We also visited another home that belongs to friends of Eliane and Jean-Charles. The house is lovely inside and out.
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