Beau-Rivage Palace Opens Two New Spaces

La RotondeOverlooking Lake Geneva, in view of the Swiss Alps in Lausanne, the Beau-Rivage Palace has restored La Rotonde and created La Terrasse to complete a project of approximately $11.5 million. A historic momument, originally built in 1908, La Rotonde's original colors, fresco and fittings were restored by heritage regulations. Made up of 17 panes of glass, the Historic Monuments Commission approved the adjacent La Terrasse because it acccentuated the original Rotonde structure and replaced a previous terrace that extended the historic space.

Artwork restoration recovered the fresco's original details of La Rotonde and stratigraphy, whereby each layer of paint applied over the years is removed, for the original colors. Sent to the industrial city of Basel, original Gobelin carpets were repaired, as light fittings were dispatched to France. Now available for banquets and cocktail receptions, the renovation of La Rotonde engaged 1,584 pounds of paint, almost seven pounds of gold leaf, 330 pounds of mastic and 528 pounds of plaster.

Requiring approval because of the Palace's status as a listed building, La Terrace boasts 13 large glass panes, each 2,134 pounds, and four smaller ones, each 924 pounds. Topping the structure in at 16 tons of glass, triple-paned for sun protection, is the glass roof, formerly made of zink, now housing Sunday brunch, including a separate children's room, and weekday breakfast, private events and larger events in combination with La Rotonde.

While you're at Beau-Rivage, dine at Anne-Sophie Pic, winner of two Michelin awards, and visit the Cinq Mondes Spa.

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