The original structure was the last creation of the functionalist period of architect Pierre Barbe (1900-2004).
During the interwar years, Pierre Barbe rubbed shoulders with the wealthy, cultivated clientele who frequented this part of the “Côte d’Azur”. He also built and improved their houses.
In 1932, the public works company, Montcocol, became the owner of one of its own constructions designed by the architect René Darde from Sainte Maxime, the Hôtel La Résidence in Val d’Esquières. The owner’s son-in-law, Robert Lallemant, who was a ceramicist, a decorator and - like Pierre Barbe - a member of the UAM (union of modern artists), introduced Barbe to his father-in-law. After carrying out a first project in Paris, Montcocol asked Pierre Barbe to design Roquebrune’s dance hall, near Hôtel La Résidence.
La Batterie dance hall can be found on a bend along the coastal road to the west of Val d’Esquières beach.
The structure of this small, oval-shaped building comprised a narrow upper terrace of reinforced concrete resting on pillars. The orchestra stand placed at the centre of the hall was the only part of the building to be partially closed off, by a wall of glass bricks. It was surrounded by the dance floor. On either side, the bar and toilet facilities followed the oval shape of the walls.
As soon as the building was finished, the owner asked Pierre Barbe to make improvements by using it to underpin an additional room following the same layout and the same principle of foundation pillars. A model of the dance hall was presented at the UAM Trade Fair in 1933 and several photographs were published in the modern architecture magazine, Architecture d’Aujourd’hui.
In the early 1990s, Les Issambres became the site for a watersports development project. In this context, the local council, owner of the old dance hall which had fallen into disuse, tasked architect Michel Pitalugue with the building’s conversion. The ground-floor part facing the road was entirely rebuilt.
The ground-floor part on the beach side was reworked: the flagstone and (redecorated) pillars were retained, as was the main facade, windows were added to the side walls and improvements were made to the interior.
Thus renovated, the building has been occupied for several years by the Sailing Club and, upstairs, a community room.
The council has recently decided to turn this former dance hall into a local heritage and culture venue.
Author: DRAC PACA, 2019
Source: Jean-Baptiste Minnaert, Pierre Barbe, Architectures, Preface by Bruno Foucart, Liège, published by Mardaga, 1991.
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The Pays de Fayence (Fayence district) has many great provencal villages. All of them have a particularity such as the view from Mons or the artistic streets of Tourrettes. Do no forget to stop in Seillans that has the label of "Most beautiful village in France"
North of the A8 motorway, you will find the Pays de Fayence. Saint-Cassien lake, a real oasis of freshness in the Var, awaits you! Take a break at the Lake House before visiting the villages of Bagnols-en-Forêt, St-Paul-en-Forêt or Tanneron.
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Les Adrets de l'Estérel is a small town located at the extreme southeastern Var. Bordering the Maritimes Alpes, it is composed of large green forests. The town overlooks the bay of Cannes and has an exceptional view on the Lérins Islands and the Corniche de l'Estérel.
Puget sur Argens is a small village located in the middle of many wineries. Its commercial area, near the village, includes many shopping center. North of the village, the Bois du Defens give rise to several walks.
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Frejus, located halfway between Cannes and Saint-Tropez, is at the heart of the Côte d'Azur. Based on a sandstone buttress of the Esterel massif, the town dominates the valleys of Argens and Reyran. Frejus has the appearance of a small Provencal town whose new districts extend to the sea.
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