Did you know that the Céramic Hôtel and its unusual façade are listed as Historic Monuments?

If you walk by 34 avenue de Wagram in the 8th arrondissement, go and discover the Ceramic Hotel which is a true jewel of Art Nouveau in Paris. Designed by the architect Jules Lavirotte in 1904, this building is the perfect illustration of the aesthetic principles of this period. This singular construction, inaugurated in 1904, immediately attracted the attention of passers-by with its exuberance in a very Modern Style taste.

The Céramic Hotel was designed for the singing teacher Amélie Russeil who wanted a building on her land on Avenue de Wagram to establish a furnished house. She called upon Jules Lavirotte to give her building a unique look and thus attract clients.

Jules Lavirotte, who wished to be known and recognized in the world of architecture, thus created a technical feat with a remarkable appearance. The ceramic façade, entirely covered with polychrome flamed sandstone and glazed bricks, conceals a reinforced concrete structure built according to the Cottancin system. With the help of the famous ceramist Alexandre Bigot and the sculptor Camille Alaphilippe, Jules Lavirotte was able to create a rich décor that still fascinates today.

When designing the Céramic Hotel, Jules Lavirotte took advantage of the narrowness of the plot to give his building singular proportions. Built on eight levels, it gives an impression of movement, of elevation. This allowed the architect to energize the façade by exploiting the plastic vocabulary of Art Nouveau.

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The Céramic Hotel is now known as the Elysées Céramic Hotel. Although the interiors have been completely redesigned, the building still retains its curious organic allure. Awarded a prize in the City of Paris facade competition in 1905,its roofs and facades have been listed as Historic Monuments since 1964. The Ceramic Hotel was also awarded the label " Patrimoine du XXème siècle " and is still today a renowned tourist hotel.

Originally, the place of Ternes where the Ceramic Hotel is located had a sulphurous reputation. The area was indeed very festive and the morals were quite light. The Céramic Hotel, which was considered a "furnished house", was even suspected of harboring prostitution activities.

Despite this, the building was able to distinguish itself by its unique style, typical ofArt Nouveau. The plastic vocabulary of this period was brilliantly exploited by Jules Lavirotte to create fluid lines, curves and plays of volumes that affirm the great modernity of the architecture.

Alexandre Bigot's flamed sandstone façade is a true masterpiece, with its plant motifs and harmonious colors. It enhances the curved lines inspired by the nature of the architecture and the nine-meter wide façade gives an impression of movement and elevation.

The Ceramic Hotel is therefore a must-see building for all lovers of Art Nouveau architecture in Paris. It is the proof that Jules Lavirotte was one of the best representatives of this movement with Hector Guimard. Even today, this tourist hotel is a charming stop for visitors who want to discover the history and beauty of Paris. You can admire another of its well-known wonders, at 29 Avenue Rapp in the 7th arrondissement.