The House of Heads

The baroque-style Maison des Têtes was built in 1731 by a stone-mason/sculptor called Mr Chauplannaz. It was built to replace a building that dated from 1573, as the old lintel, serving as a doorstep, proves. This date is the oldest inscription in Bonneville.

The facade was decorated by an emigrant from Bavaria, with the window surrounds featuring four comical masks (the grimacing grumbler, the forlorn one with a long nose, the angry face and the man with a lion's muzzle). The grimacing masks are in stark contrast to the attractive creatures on the second floor. Set in a black baroque-style frame, with elegant curves, are four young women, with carefully groomed hair, made-up faces and generous cleavages.