Grand Hôtel National, Lucerne, Propr: Segesser Frères & Cie.

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Rare. The Grand Hôtel National (now the Grand Hotel National Luzern) opened in Lucerne in 1870 under the proprietorship of Swiss hoteliers, Segesser Frères & Cie. The two brothers had opened Lucerne’s first hotel in 1845.

From 1877 to 1890, the establishment was managed by Swiss hotelier César Ritz. In 1881, Ritz hired Auguste Escoffier, the renowned French executive chef and restaurateur, and the hotel flourished as a tourist destination.

This trade card depicts the hotel facing Lake Lucerne with its promenade and steps leading down to the water.The foreground shows the passenger boat Belvoir and its covered aft-deck.

Price: $75.00