Thu 22 Aug, Chamonix Council validated a decision on the future of the historic Villa Tournette.
Villa de la Tournette was acquired by Chamonix town in 2000 and requires renovation to ensure its future.
In the last 10 years, there has been a lot of discussion but little action.
The municipality issued call for proposals. The "House of Artists" proposal by Andre Manoukian, organizer of the CosmoJazz Festival, is considered the most constructive and has been accepted.
The Lessee commits to carry out renovation work up to 300,000 euros. The cost of structural work, to the roof and walls, is being covered by the municipality.
The renovation is planned to take three years.
The renovated Villa Tournette shall include a small auditorium with a bar, residential accommodation for artists and a recording studio in the basement.
Through this project, the municipality revives an element of Chamonix's cultural heritage.
The land surrounding the Villa shall remain open to the public and complemets the refurbished Park Couttet.
The villa was built in 1905 by an architect from Lyon for Monsieur Jospeh Couttet. He and his brother owned Couttet Park, the Villa and the Whymper pension. Subsequently, the Villa Tournette was sold to Maurice Herzog, who was elected mayor of Chamonix in 1968. In the year 2000, Maurice Herzog sold the villa to the town of Chamonix.
