Jacques-Martin TÉTAZ
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Architect.
First Grand Prix de Rome for architecture in 1843, he devoted his final-year submission from the Villa Medici to a survey of the Erechtheion in Athens. He then built the Palais de l'Alma, Napoleon III's stables, which housed the Conseil supérieur de la magistrature from 1952 to 2011 and now serves the Presidency of the Republic.
The story
Born in Paris on 6 March 1818 and trained at the Beaux-Arts under Huyot and then Lebas, Jacques-Martin Tétaz won in 1843 the first Grand Prix de Rome for architecture — the distinction that opened every official career of the century.
A resident of the Villa Medici from 1844 to 1848, he devoted his final-year submission to a survey of the Erechtheion in Athens: the work of an archaeologist as much as an architect, and it took a medal in 1855.
Inspector of works at the Château de Pau in 1855, he then won the commission that is still his: the Palais de l'Alma, Napoleon III's stables on the Quai Branly, built from 1861 to 1864.
The building outlived the Empire and its uses: the Conseil supérieur de la magistrature, the body that governs French judges, sat there from 1952 to 2011, and it now houses offices and lodgings for the Presidency of the Republic — from the Emperor's horses to the staff of the Élysée.
He died at Rueil-Malmaison on 16 October 1865, aged forty-seven. His widow, Annunziata Fiorentini, born at Faenza, followed him nine months later. He rests in Division 60, on the Avenue Circulaire, first row.
The grave
A stone medallion by the sculptor Louis Merley (1815-1883). The inscription chooses the title over the work: “À la mémoire DE JACQUES MARTIN TETAZ, architecte, ancien pensionnaire de l'académie de France à Rome, né à Paris le 6 mars 1818, mort à Rueil le 16 octobre 1865.” — in memory of Jacques Martin Tétaz, architect, former resident of the French Academy in Rome, born in Paris on 6 March 1818, died at Rueil on 16 October 1865. His widow follows: “Annunziata FIORENTINI, née à Faenza le 9 avril 1824, morte à Paris le 7 juillet 1866” — nine months after him.
On site, do not miss
The stone medallion by Louis Merley, and an epitaph that remembers the Villa Medici rather than the buildings: “ancien pensionnaire de l'académie de France à Rome” — former resident of the French Academy in Rome. His widow joined him nine months later.
Visitors' questions
Where is Jacques-Martin Tétaz's grave?
In Division 60, avenue Circulaire, first row, beneath a stone medallion by the sculptor Louis Merley. The Division is also home to Valentin Haüy, the inventor of raised lettering for the blind.
Valentin HaüyWhat did Jacques-Martin Tétaz build?
The Palais de l'Alma on quai Branly, Napoleon III's stables, built from 1861 to 1864 — the building housed the Conseil supérieur de la magistrature, the body that governs French judges, from 1952 to 2011, and now serves the Presidency of the Republic. He was also inspector of works at the château of Pau.
Théodore BalluWhat is the premier grand prix de Rome?
The highest distinction of the Beaux-Arts system, which sent its winner to the Villa Medici. Tétaz won it in 1843 and spent four years there, devoting the work he sent home at the end of his stay to a survey of the Erechtheion in Athens.
Théodore GéricaultWhat does the inscription on his grave say?
“À la mémoire DE JACQUES MARTIN TETAZ, architecte, ancien pensionnaire de l'académie de France à Rome” — in memory of Jacques Martin Tétaz, architect, former resident of the French Academy in Rome: it is the Villa Medici that is remembered, not the imperial stables. His widow Annunziata Fiorentini, who died nine months after him, appears there too.
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