Mur de soutènement - Roadmap des travaux

Built in 1902 by visionary developer Ami Chessex and renowned architect Eugène Jost, the Caux Palace was designated a historic monument of national importance in August 2025.

A spectacular building of the Belle Epoque, this former luxury hotel overlooks Montreux with breathtaking views of the Alps and Lake Geneva and embodies much more than just architectural splendour. Its 125-year-old retaining wall now requires significant repair work.

The restoration of the retaining wall is a major project that will take three years to complete.

Phases 0 and 1, scheduled between September and November 2025, are essential steps in testing and validating the methods used to repair and consolidate the wall's buttresses.

These initial interventions will focus on the southern part of the retaining wall.

Key stages

September: Preparation and installation of the construction zones. Start of repair and consolidation work.
Mid-October: Completion of phase 1: stabilisation of the buttresses.
November: Completion of phase 0.

Caux Palace retaining wall — The condition of the wall before the works

September 2025 – Start of work

1 September: Official launch of the construction site for phases 0 and 1.
Set-up of the southern construction zone (phase 0).

Phase 0 – Testing of the repair and consolidation method on the southern end of the wall

Period: September → November 2025

Objective: to test and validate repair and consolidation methods, using techniques and construction elements from the early 20th century in order to preserve the historic appearance of the wall.

*Technical supervision of this project is provided by Roger Simond SA.

Phase 1 – Reinforcement of the buttresses

Period: September → mid-October 2025

Objective: stabilisation and reinforcement of the foundations, using a solution from the company Medusoil.

*During this phase, drilling and biocement injections will be carried out around the pillars located in the southern part of the wall, outside the esplanade.

Partnership with Medusoil

The choice of Medusoil for the restoration work on the retaining wall reflects the desire to reconcile respect for heritage with the adoption of modern best practices in sustainable development.

For the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation, this restoration goes beyond the purely structural: it reflects its mission to safeguard this historic monument, while setting an example of sustainability.

Environmentally friendly management and responsible use of resources are therefore at the heart of the project.

Advantages of the biocement solution proposed by Medusoil:

Reduced ecological footprint: thanks to the use of innovative organic binders, CO₂ emissions are reduced by around 55% compared to conventional materials, helping to meet sustainability requirements while minimising environmental impact.
Technical performance: stability, load-bearing capacity and risk mitigation (particularly soil liquefaction) ensure compatibility with the specific constraints of restoring a historic wall, while guaranteeing safety and durability.
Efficiency and zero waste: the application system developed by Medusoil, combined with a commitment to economic efficiency, upholds the principles of responsible resource management.

Caux Palace retaining wall winter — View of the Caux Palace and its retaining wall in winter (photo: Adrien Giovannelli)

The next steps

The initial phases will serve to validate the chosen methods, paving the way for larger-scale work to begin in 2026, scheduled outside the colder months.

This unique renovation project is estimated to cost 3.2 million Swiss francs.

We need your help to preserve this jewel of Swiss heritage and secure its legacy for future generations.

Every contribution helps safeguard the Caux Palace!