Le Jardin des Lys

The house from the 19th century

Maison de maître in the 19th century

The house "Le Jardin des Lys"

The golden age of manor houses in France stretched from 1850 to 1880. These houses are often recognizable by their rectangular floor plans and large, exposed corner stones. In many cases, the main façade has five windows in line with the door and the windows on the lower level. The entrance door, which is usually centrally located, can be reached via a short flight of steps. The entire property is surrounded by a wrought-iron fence standing on a stone wall. A striking gate marks the entrance to the property.

Manor houses have large reception rooms on the first floor and adjoining bedrooms on the upper floor. High ceilings of at least 3.5 meters, marble or stone fireplaces in the main rooms and bedrooms and a magnificent internal staircase are further characteristics of a manor house. The house may be located in or on the edge of a park, as is the case with the house "Le Jardin de Lys", where the old trees are still a reminder of the former park.

The house "Le Jardin des Lys" was built around 1890 by Mr. Jules Bertrand as a "maison de maître". At the time, Mr. Bertrand was the co-owner of the Gemmelaincourt coal mine. The house is located in the heart of the village, in the immediate vicinity of the coal mine, from where Mr. Bertrand was able to optimally monitor his production site. The location, orientation, size and number of floors of the house were carefully chosen to emphasize the social status and professional success of the owner.

From manor house to small hotel

After the house "Le Jardin des Lys" was given up by the Bertrand family, it passed into Swiss hands. Mrs. Maralyn Claudia Hudson, also known as Mrs. Schmidt, lived in the house until 1993. The company "Inter Invest Generalunternehmungen" then became the owner. From 2005, the house was back in French hands and served as a small hotel called "Le Jardin des Lys" until the end of 2022.