Less than an hour from Paris by public transport, an Art Nouveau masterpiece has been discreetly established since 1896! In a quiet, leafy alleyway, you’ll find the Villa Berthe, one of the architectural movement’s earliest achievements in France. And behind this building you’ll find Hector Guimard, the genius behind the Paris metro’s kiosks.
This ingenious Art Nouveau villa is just 30 minutes from Paris.
130 years ago, Hector Guimard, then on the move, was commissioned by a wealthy man to create an innovative villa in the heart of the park town of Le Vésinet. In 1896, the Villa Berthe, also known as the “Hublotière”, was born, one of the first Art Nouveau masterpieces in France.
Behind a portal reminiscent of the Castel Béranger in Paris, the façade on the street side is surprisingly well-balanced. It is designed with perfect symmetry, a rare Guimard feature, no doubt to fit in with the carefully planned parkland of Le Vésinet. The facade combines millstone, ashlar and brick, with sinuous ironwork that resembles plant stems, a hallmark of Art Nouveau. Behind it, the villa is set free: asymmetrical facades, deep arcades, bow-windows, staircase turrets and surprisingly shaped dormers. Inside, Guimard designed a space conceived as a whole: woodwork, staircases, moldings and wrought ironwork all blend perfectly. The central teak staircase leads to an accessible terrace, rare for its time, offering a privileged view of the surrounding area.
Although it is a private property, La Hublotière is exceptionally open to visitors for a few days this summer, giving us the chance to discover a truly historic building!
📍Location: Villa Berthe or Hublotière – 72, route de Montesson – 78110 Le Vésinet
📆 Dates: open from September 2 to 14, and September 20 and 21, 2025
💶 Price: Admission €5