After staying at the Villa Strauss during his first two cures, Napoleon III commissioned the construction of his own chalet (N°109) for the 1863 season.
The initiative primarily related to a political and urban planning rationale, with the Emperor hoping that others would follow his example, thus driving rapid development of the land recently reclaimed following the damming of the river. In choosing this type of construction, he promoted a relatively inexpensive seasonal middle-class dwelling, even going so far as to publish plans and specifications in the press. The chalet's rustic design also perfectly suited the chosen site that bordered the new park.
The following year saw the construction of other chalets: a second chalet (N° 107), for the Emperor's personal use, with a gallery facing the park; N°105, for his guests, renamed Chalet Eugénie in 1920; N°109a for his Aide-de-camp, the Comte de Clermont-Tonnerre; and N°101 for his Minister of Finance, Achille Fould.
Architect Jean Le Faure drew inspiration alternately from the Alpine model, with its steeply pitched roofs and carved timbers, and from the colonial gallery model, with bow windows adding a British touch to each residence.
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