Beaux Arts

The hotel we are staying in tonight, as we travel north, is in the centre of Montluçon, an old town on the banks of the River Cher and close to the geographical centre of France. 

I was fascinated by the architecture of the building - late 19th/early 20th century. I suspect it is in the style of Beaux Arts which was all the rage in Paris at the time. A symmetrical façade ornamented with lavish detail, such as swags, medallions, flowers. I think it is rather splendid. 

The name comes from the fact that Montluçon was part of the medieval duchy of Bourbon. 

And it is very hot.