This is another blow for a monument already on borrowed time. A second fire ravaged the Château de Divonne-les-Bains on 28 June 2026, further weakening the project to transform the building into a five-star hotel. The structure, unoccupied since a first blaze in 2017, saw its floors and roof devoured by flames, with no injuries reported.
- What happened: a second fire ravaged the Château de Divonne-les-Bains on 28 June 2026.
- No injuries: the building had been unoccupied since the 2017 fire.
- Emergency services: over 70 French and Swiss firefighters mobilised, an investigation launched.
- Project threatened: a transformation into a five-star hotel, already stalled since late 2025.
- Where: Divonne-les-Bains, in the Ain department, a stone’s throw from Geneva and Lake Geneva.
A Second Fire in Less Than Ten Years
The fire broke out in the late afternoon and rapidly spread to the roof and upper floors. Over 70 French and Swiss firefighters, supported by around thirty vehicles, battled the blaze for part of the night, with reinforcements arriving from Ain, Geneva, and Nyon. As the building had been empty since 2017, no injuries were reported. An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the fire, which is still unknown. While the structure was preserved, the interior is devastated. On site, Mayor Vincent Scattolin described it as a disaster.
An 18th-Century Château, Former Four-Star Hotel
Built on a feudal site mentioned as early as 1131, the current château was rebuilt in the 18th century by Claude-Antoine de La Forest, Count of Divonne, then extended with two wings in 1860. Owned by the de La Forest Divonne family, it long housed a four-star hotel-restaurant, until the 2017 fire. It should not be confused with the Grand Hôtel du Domaine de Divonne, a neighbouring establishment that is still in operation.
Five-Star Project Already Stalled
In January 2024, a revival seemed underway: the Centaurus group, through its Maison Albar Hotels brand, was to transform the château into a 72-room five-star hotel with a spa, with a hoped-for reopening in late 2026. However, the project developer withdrew in October 2025, even before work began, citing the complexity of administrative procedures. The construction site was therefore already suspended when the flames struck again. The owner family, who were seeking new investors, now sees their project further clouded.
Our Perspective
Divonne-les-Bains, a spa and gambling resort established in the 19th century, a stone’s throw from Geneva and Lake Geneva, was counting on this château to complement its tourist offering. This second fire highlights the fragility of large heritage conversion projects, where the scale of the work and the burden of regulations often discourage investors. Yet, this is a challenge successfully met by beautiful character properties elsewhere in France, as demonstrated by the most beautiful hotels in Normandy.
