Villa Margherita - Palazzo municipale

Villa Margherita, now Gressoney-Saint-Jean's town hall, was built in 1888 as the summer residence of the Beck Peccoz family. Queen Margherita stayed in Gressoney during the late nineteenth century, and the villa became associated with the royal court's presence in the valley.

Why it matters

The villa connects the history of the Walser Beck Peccoz family with Gressoney's development as a royal summer destination. The municipality acquired the property in 1968 and adapted it for civic use, preserving the building as part of the town's architectural heritage.

What to notice

The eclectic villa combines slender spires, shaped pediments and granite balconies. The estate includes a former service building and a stone-domed icehouse, remnants of the functions that supported a large private residence. The surrounding grounds include woodland with larches and firs.

Context and history

The Beck Peccoz family commissioned the villa in 1888. Members of the Italian royal household, including Queen Margherita, were hosted in the valley between 1889 and 1896. The municipality purchased the complex in 1968 and established its town hall there. The villa also reflects the family's Walser identity and patronage in Gressoney.