Rapallo House Museum and Art Gallery
Rapallo House was the residence of Francis Edouard Chardon. He bequeathed the property and its contents to the town of Llandudno. In accordance with Chardon’s will, and with support from the National Museum of Wales, Rapallo House was converted into a public museum and art gallery, and was officially opened by the Right Hon. Lord Kenyon, K.C.V.O. on 22nd June, 1927.
Francis Edouard Chardon
Francis Edouard Chardon was born in Calcutta on October 17th 1865. He was the son of Edouard Chardon a wealthy indigo planter. His mother was Maria Theresa Chardon, the daughter of Signor A.M. Rapello. Signor Rapello also a wealthy man assisted in placing the Emperor Louis Napolean on the throne of France.
The Guide and Catalogue of Rapallo House Museum and Art Gallery by Issac J. Williams
Francis Edouard Chardon
Francis Edouard Chardon was born in Calcutta on October 17th 1865. He was the son of Edouard Chardon a wealthy indigo planter. His mother was Maria Theresa Chardon, the daughter of Signor A.M. Rapello. Signor Rapello also a wealthy man assisted in placing the Emperor Louis Napolean on the throne of France.
Francis Chardon was brought to England when he was seven years of age. At this time he began his general education at All Souls Grammer School and completed this later at seminaries in France and Germany. Chardon spent several years living in Naples where he studied pastel drawing and water colour painting under the guidance of the renowned Neapolitan artist Joseph Casciaro. While in England he lived and painted at his mothers home in London.
During her later life, Maria Theresa Chardon spent 10 years living in a boarding house (the County Hotel) in Llandudno, where she died in 1921.
Shortly after, Francis Chardon bought the property known as Rapallo House; naming this after his mother. He spent the rest of his bachelor life developing the house and garden. He died at the property on December 22nd 1925.
Chardon's Will
Chardon’s will is a remarkable document providing for the embalming of his body and transference to the family mausoleum in Margate; his dog is also buried there. Chardon's will sets out a Trust whereby Rapallo House becomes a Museum and Art Gallery furnished and maintained free of charge for the benefit of the inhabitants of, and visitors to, Llandudno. In acknowledgement of this gift to the town, a bronze plaque was erected in the porch of the main entrance of Rapallo House.
Llandudno Museum 2012
Chardon’s will is a remarkable document providing for the embalming of his body and transference to the family mausoleum in Margate; his dog is also buried there. Chardon's will sets out a Trust whereby Rapallo House becomes a Museum and Art Gallery furnished and maintained free of charge for the benefit of the inhabitants of, and visitors to, Llandudno. In acknowledgement of this gift to the town, a bronze plaque was erected in the porch of the main entrance of Rapallo House.
Llandudno Museum 2012
