Villa Majorelle

I’d wanted to visit La Villa Majorelle for some time. When we’d been to Nancy before it wasn’t open, but this time we were here during Patrimoine weekend, which meant it was open all weekend to the public, for free.

It was a private house designed by the architect Henri Sauvage, and built around 1901–1902 for Louis Majorelle. It has recently undergone a meticulous and respectful renovation, restoring the house back to how it was when Louis Majorelle and his family lived there.

The Villa Majorelle was the first entirely Art nouveau house to be built in Nancy. It was a perfect collaboration between Parisian and Nancy-based artists, which I would imagine at the time was probably quite difficult to achieve.

Alongside Henri Sauvage, the architect, other specialists were engaged, such as Jacques Gruber for the stained glass, Alexandre Bigot for the stonewares, and Francis Jourdain and Henri Royer for the paintings.

And of course, Louis Majorelle himself for the ironwork, woodwork and furniture.

They are continuing with the renovations of the upper floors, but the house will remain open to the public during this time.

Such a worthwhile visit, I’m so glad we got to see it, as it’s such an emblematic part of Nancy's Art nouveau period, all wrapped up in one glorious building.