The Alpine Charm in the City: The Story of Lausanne’s Urban Chalets
Table of Contents
Nestled within the bustling streets of Lausanne, a surprising architectural treasure remains: around sixty chalets, scattered across the city and its fairground areas. These structures, once symbols of rural life, have found an unexpected home in an urban setting. But how did these alpine-inspired dwellings become part of Lausanne’s heritage? Municipal archivist Charline Dekens sheds light on their captivating history.
A Fashionable Phenomenon
Towards the end of the 19th century, a trend known as ”chalétization” swept through Europe. This “fashion effect,” as Dekens describes it,was driven by a desire to connect urban life with the tranquility of the mountains. “It evokes a link between cities and mountains, witness to a taste for the chalet, the wood, the wood fire, the comfort, the ’refuge’ side and the relationship to nature,” she explains. The affordability of prefabricated parts, marketed by local businesses, made it possible for many to own their own villa-style chalet.
The Chalet’s Humble Origins
The word “chalet” originates from French-speaking Switzerland, dating back to the 14th century. Initially, it referred to wooden or stone structures in the Alps and Pre-Alps, used by herders and cheesemakers during the summer months. “So nothing to do with the traditional Swiss house par excellence, as one might think abroad,” Dekens clarifies. The earliest chalets in peri-urban areas were outbuildings found in the gardens of wealthy estates, characterized by their stone bases, wooden floors, and overhanging roofs.
A Novel That Sparked a Trend
The romanticized image of the chalet was propelled by Jean-jacques Rousseau’s 1761 novel, Julie or the New Héloïse. This literary work captivated Europe’s literate and wealthy, who saw Switzerland as a symbol of harmony with nature, freedom, and democracy. By the 19th century, British and American tourists, enchanted by the peasant houses of the Bernese Oberland, began building chalets on their own properties.
The Rise of the Chalet Style
The “chalet style” soon transcended Switzerland’s borders, appearing in countryside and coastal areas worldwide. Switzerland,in turn,embraced this stereotypical image,making the chalet “the symbol of an authentic national architecture.” This was further popularized by the “Swiss villages” showcased at the National Exhibition in Geneva in 1896 and the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900.
Lausanne’s Alpine Village
Inspired by these exhibitions, Lausanne’s own alpine village was constructed on the edge of the Bois de Sauvabelin in 1898-99.The brainchild of Charles Pflüger, a local entrepreneur and member of the Lausanne development committee, this project included a dozen chalets of varying styles.Pflüger also developed the artificial Lake Sauvabelin in 1889 and a nearby restaurant in 1891.The village, accessible via the Signal funicular inaugurated in 1899, quickly became a beloved destination for Lausannois seeking an alpine escape at their doorstep.
The Decline of Urban Chalets
By 1910, the allure of chalets continued to grow, with many city dwellers embracing them as year-round homes. Prefabricated chalets,affordable and comfortable,became particularly popular. However, the trend gradually waned in urban areas, with only modest “Chalets-Week-End” being built in fairground zones.
A Legacy That Endures
While the urban chalet trend faded, the chalet remains a cherished symbol in mountainous regions, where its timeless design continues to captivate imaginations.
| Key Milestones in the History of Lausanne’s Chalets |
|———————————————————|
| 14th Century | Origin of the term “chalet” in French-speaking Switzerland |
| 1761 | Publication of Julie or the New Héloïse by Jean-Jacques Rousseau |
| 1896 | “Swiss village” showcased at the National Exhibition in Geneva |
| 1898-99 | Construction of Lausanne’s alpine village in Sauvabelin |
| 1910 | Peak of urban chalet popularity in Lausanne |
Today, Lausanne’s chalets stand as a testament to a bygone era, blending alpine charm with urban sophistication. Their story is a reminder of how architecture can bridge the gap between nature and city life, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.
The Alpine Charm in the City: Exploring the Timeless Legacy of lausanne’s Urban Chalets
Nestled within the bustling streets of Lausanne lies a surprising architectural treasure: around sixty chalets, scattered across the city and its fairground areas. These structures, once symbols of rural life, have found an unexpected home in an urban setting. To uncover the fascinating history of these alpine-inspired dwellings, we sat down with Charline Dekens, a municipal archivist and expert on Lausanne’s heritage, to delve into their captivating story.
The Origins of Lausanne’s Chalets
Senior Editor: Charline, could you start by telling us about the origins of the chalet in Switzerland? How did this iconic structure come to be?
Charline Dekens: certainly! The term “chalet” originates from French-speaking Switzerland and dates back to the 14th century. Initially, it referred to wooden or stone structures in the Alps and Pre-Alps, used by herders and cheesemakers during the summer months.So, it’s important to clarify that chalets weren’t the customary Swiss houses many might imagine. Instead, they were practical, seasonal dwellings. In peri-urban areas, the earliest chalets were outbuildings found in the gardens of wealthy estates, characterized by their stone bases, wooden floors, and overhanging roofs.
The Rise of the Chalet Trend
Senior Editor: how did these humble structures become a fashionable phenomenon in Lausanne and beyond?
Charline Dekens: the transformation began in the late 19th century with a trend known as “chalétization,” which swept through europe. This movement was driven by a desire to connect urban life with the tranquility of the mountains.Local businesses started marketing prefabricated parts, making it affordable for many to own their own villa-style chalets.It was a “fashion effect,” evoking a link between cities and mountains, and celebrating wood, wood fires, comfort, and a connection to nature. By the early 20th century, urban chalets had become incredibly popular, especially in Lausanne.
The Role of Literature in Popularizing Chalets
Senior Editor: I understand that literature played a critically important role in shaping the romanticized image of the chalet.Could you elaborate on that?
Charline Dekens: Absolutely. Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s 1761 novel, Julie or the New Héloïse, was pivotal. The novel captivated Europe’s literate and wealthy,portraying Switzerland as a symbol of harmony with nature,freedom,and democracy. This romanticized image inspired British and American tourists, who began building chalets on their own properties after being enchanted by the peasant houses of the Bernese Oberland. By the 19th century, the chalet had become a cultural icon.
Lausanne’s Alpine Village
Senior Editor: Could you tell us about Lausanne’s unique alpine village in Sauvabelin? How did it come to be?
Charline Dekens: Lausanne’s alpine village was inspired by the “Swiss villages” showcased at the National Exhibition in Geneva in 1896 and the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1900. Charles Pflüger, a local entrepreneur and member of Lausanne’s growth committee, spearheaded the project. Constructed between 1898 and 1899 on the edge of the Bois de Sauvabelin, the village included a dozen chalets of varying styles. Pflüger also developed the artificial Lake Sauvabelin in 1889 and a nearby restaurant in 1891. The village became a beloved destination for locals, accessible via the Signal funicular inaugurated in 1899.
The Legacy of Urban Chalets
Senior Editor: How did the urban chalet trend evolve, and what is its legacy today?
Charline Dekens: by 1910, the urban chalet trend had peaked, with many city dwellers embracing them as year-round homes. Prefabricated chalets, which were affordable and agreeable, became particularly popular. However, the trend gradually waned in urban areas, with only modest “Chalets-Week-End” being built in fairground zones. Today, Lausanne’s chalets stand as a testament to a bygone era, blending alpine charm with urban sophistication. They remind us of how architecture can bridge the gap between nature and city life,leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come.
Key takeaways
Our conversation with Charline Dekens revealed the rich history of Lausanne’s urban chalets, from their humble origins as herders’ dwellings to their rise as symbols of alpine charm in the heart of the city. Their story is a testament to the enduring appeal of architecture that connects us to nature, even in urban settings.
