hotel la couronne
OUR HISTORY
Hôtel La Couronne: the oldest operating hotel in Chamonix
The Montenvers, the Richemond, the Excelsior, the Albert 1er, the Aiguille du Midi, or even the Hôtel de la Prairie… Among those prestigious establishments that have marked the golden age of hospitality in the valley, only Hôtel La Couronne in Argentière is still in operating today…
Hôtel La Couronne in Argentière: the phoenix rises from the ashes
Originally, Hôtel La Couronne was located at the central crossroads of Chamonix, where it was built in 1832 It was in the storage area of this establishment that the great fire started in July 1855, which destroyed much of the city, including the hotel. This building (which today corresponds to the Terminus residence) had an excellent reputation among clients.
A few years later, in Argentière, the Devouassoux family built a hotel to satisfied a demand for more comfortable accommodation in the village, sparked by an increasing influx of visitors. At that time, the municipality only had an inn, Le Bellevue, which served as a relay for mules.
Construit vers 1863-1865, le nouvel hôtel prend le nom de « La Couronne », en référence à l’ancien établissement chamoniard. Built around 1863-1865, the new hotel was named “La Couronne,” in reference to the old Chamonix establishment. Erected over two floors, the hotel had around twenty pleasant rooms, some equipped with a fireplace Success was immediate, this place became a must-stop on the route to Switzerland. Shortly after the construction, around the 1870s, the hotel change into a stagecoach relay.
Many Owners Over Time
The hotel passed through the hands of several generations of the Devouassoux family: Madame Muller, the daughter of the house, and then Madame Lamy, the granddaughter. In 1932, the building was elevated by one floor, giving it the architecture we know today. Over the years, the hotel modernized, particularly with the installation of central heating, a true luxury at the time.
In 1958, Hôtel La Couronne was purchased by Mr. Mortier. ery attached to the establishment, he carried out numerous modernization works, equipping each room with a bathroom and creating an ice rink in the garden that delighted both clients and village residents.
Mr. Mortier passed the reins to his daughter, who run the hotel for many years. Together, then amassed over 60 years of activity at the helm of the establishment.
A Project Inspired by the Past, and Focused on the Future
Purchased in October 2021 by a family deeply connected to the valley, the hotel underwent significant rehabilitation work as well as the construction of an underground parking lot and an extension.
The hotel’s history was the first inspiration of this renewal, they want to pay tribute to its heyday: the 1960s.
The historic building put on the Bordeaux red of that era, emphasizing the mountain heritage and rich history of the place, intimately linked to the outdoor activities, both summer and winter Although modern, the extension respects alpine values by blending into its natural area, though the use of wooden shingles from an Alpine species (larch).
With you, Hôtel La Couronne turns a new page in its history.
Contact us for more information or book your stay directly online!
Source : le Blog de Christine à Chamonix
