SAINT-DENIS

Located 10 km north of Paris, the city of Saint-Denis, cosmopolitan and multicultural, has experienced several waves of development and continues its transformation today.

First famous for its basilica, emblem of the city, the historic center has several monuments of remarkable architecture. It also houses the Parc de la Légion-d’Honneur, adored by families and inhabitants of the district, but also the largest market in Île-de-France, a veritable institution and witness to the territory’s trading past.

Crossed by the Seine which offers picturesque landscapes along its banks, the Saint-Denis canal has gradually become a place for strolling and relaxation. Appreciated by its inhabitants, Saint-Denis embodies the main character of the eponymous song by the artist Grand Corps Malade, an ode to “the great lady”.

The city has also experienced contemporary architectural developments, in particular with the construction of the Stade de France around which a brand new district has been built combining housing, shops, restaurants and a cinema. With the future Saint-Denis – Pleyel station, whose inauguration is scheduled for 2024, Saint-Denis is preparing to become a real centrality in northern Paris.

A complete renovation carried out by ARCHIK and the architect Baptiste Legué (ABL) in a house from the beginning of the century, near Paris.

Target

To give back to this doll’s house where small volumes and numerous rooms follow one another, a more contemporary functionality by decompartmentalizing the spaces and revitalizing their layout.

Course of action

Expand the house to offer three distinct spaces: living area, master suite and children’s area, all on two levels, and focus on the outdoors with an extension of the living area facing the garden, opening onto a shaded terrace.

Achievement

Natural materials were used as the main thread of the renovation: Okoumé wood for the custom-made woodwork, natural and pink travertine in the bathroom and kitchen. The pink and beige tones of the whole project create an enveloping and soft atmosphere.

On the first floor, the staircase is moved and becomes an integrated element that creates a bench for the dining room. The open kitchen with island is the nerve center of this first level and is adorned with pink travertine. The day and night areas have been separated and Okoumé wood panels, some of which serve as doors and others as storage, mark this distinction. The master suite has a bathroom entirely made of travertine with a custom-made double sink.

Upstairs, two attic bedrooms each offer built-in storage and an office area. The relocated hopper allows the creation of a pleasant shower room with window, as well as an independent toilet. Two rooms in total look terracotta.

A family cocoon, warm and bucolic, turned towards the outside.

L'ARCHITECTE LA MAISON ROSE

Crédits photosAgathe Tissier
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Before …

COLOMBES

Located in the North-West of Paris after Asnières-sur-Seine and Bois-Colombes, the city of Colombes is the largest residential city in the inner suburbs of Paris.

Particularly well served by public transport, Colombes is the eleventh municipality of Île-de-France and the fourth municipality of Hauts-de-Seine. The historic heart is crossed by rue Saint-Denis, pedestrianized and lined with many shops. Its territory is rich in an industrial past and a particularly varied architectural heritage with mansions, beautiful bourgeois residences, 19th century holiday villas, residential housing estates or even beautiful architecture from the 1930s such as the former Hôtel des Postes by François Le Cœur in 1928.
The town benefits from several attractive green spaces such as the Pierre Lagravère park located on the banks of the Seine. The cultural and sporting offer is not to be outdone thanks to the Avant-Seine theater whose program delights young and old and the Yves-Du-Manoir sports complex, famous for having hosted the Summer Olympics in 1924 and soon, the field hockey events during the 2024 Olympic Games.

A destination of choice for families looking for a more spacious place to live.

LE PRÉ SAINT-GERVAIS

Bordered by Pantin, the 19th arrondissement and the Lilas, Le Pré-Saint-Gervais is the Ile-de-France town closest to Paris.

Carried away by his momentum, the Parisian who runs on a Sunday morning from Belleville to Pantin, will pass by Le Pré-Saint-Gervais without even noticing it… With 70 hectares of area, Le Pré-Saint-Gervais is the smallest town in ‘Ile-de-France.

Built on a meadow, the village offers the remains of a country walk, which Parisians came to do there in the 19th century, as well as workers’ workshops from the 20th century. Bamboo houses, atypical volumes, brick houses, narrow paths, vaulted porches… the architecture gives a particularly popular atmosphere to the “Pré”.

A veritable open-air laboratory, it hosts a park that combines greenery and street art, a market, part of which is covered, a village square that has a southern air and, recently, six shared gardens. Everything is good to create a family spirit and bring Gervaisiens together!

A very lively small town retaining its old charm.

ASNIÈRES-SUR-SEINE

Bordering the left bank side of the river, the town of Asnières-sur-Seine is located in the northwest suburbs of the capital, thus benefiting from a strategic location.

Rich of an architectural heritage spanning the ages, Asnières-sur-Seine is full of monuments and places that bear witness to the city’s prosperous past: from the Neolithic era, with its menhir located in the Square du Maréchal Leclerc, to the 18th century with its castle, emblem of the city, and also masterpieces from the Art Nouveau era with the house of Monsieur Vuitton or from the Art Deco era with the facade of the Main Post Office.

Its inner city around the train station remains the most sought-after district for its accessibility, its shops and its charm, while the west of the city hosts beautiful bourgeois residences from the beginning of the 20th century which are the most popular.

In terms of transport, the city is one of the most accessible of the inner suburbs, with a metro line (and soon an additional line as part of the Grand Paris Express) as well as two train lines connecting Saint-Lazare station in 7 minutes from downtown.

A small particularity has made it famous: the first cemetery of the modern era intended for pets, inaugurated in 1900, located in Robinson Park which runs along the banks of the Seine. Another green space of interest is the Square Leclerc located behind the Town Hall.

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CHATOU

Near Paris and the Hauts-de-Seine department, Chatou, the town of the Impressionists, enjoys an ideal environment between the Seine and the countryside.

Entering the city via the Chatou bridge, the magic of the city is instantly apparent thanks to the change of scenery offered by the banks of the Seine and its deep blue-green reflections. It is in this natural setting, between river, greenery and dance halls that impressionism was born. Renoir, Monet and Manet all immersed themselves in this changing environment where the play of light inspired their art. The arrival of the railway, linking Saint-Lazare to Le Pecq, transformed Chatou into a playground for artists and became a holiday resort for Parisians fleeing the capital.
Today, the town is firmly rooted on the banks of the Seine, with the Île des Impressionnistes, its banks and its effervescent antique and ham fair, a must for lovers of antiques and design. The commune offers a peaceful and pleasant living environment with its many schools, its market and its restaurants. It is not to be outdone in terms of culture and is home to the La Fournaise museum and the emblematic Louis Jouvet cinema. The Maison Levanneur is home to the Galerie Bessières, a modern art gallery exhibiting international artists such as Shawn Huckins, Stephen Ormandy and Christopher Kuhn.

A charming city, steeped in history and culture, conducive to a peaceful family life.

SAINT-MANDÉ

Ideally located between the 12th arrondissement and the Bois de Vincennes, Saint-Mandé offers a living environment with a village spirit. Also called the Neuilly-Sur-Seine of eastern Paris.

Third smallest town in the Ile-de-France region, Saint-Mandé has a country feel five minutes from Paris. Its proximity to the Bois de Vincennes and its direct access to Lake Daumesnil allows it, while being in the city, to have a peaceful spirit where you can enjoy beautiful walks along the water.

The architecture composed of bourgeois buildings, old residences and mansions gives a particular charm to this former district of the kings of France, which has never ceased to welcome many personalities such as Victor Hugo, Alfred Grévin or even Georges Courteline.
The districts of Tourelle-Béguin or Notre-Dame-Saint-Michel de Picpus are particularly popular for their calm and secure atmospheres.

The shops are dynamic and there are very good restaurants in the four corners of the district. In terms of culture, the city regularly offers original exhibitions and numerous events. The jazz-classical festival, which brings together artists of national and international renown, has become a must for music lovers.

NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE

Ideally located in the west of Paris, Neuilly-sur-Seine is the chic and green Parisian suburb by excellence.

Located on the edge of the 16^th arrondissement,
Neuilly-sur-Seine is a wealthy suburb, popular with families. Ideally linked to the heart of the capital by line 1, the La Défense business district can be seen in the background. It also has excellent secondary schools and benefits from the greenery of the Bois de Boulogne.

Considered one of the lungs of the capital, the Bois de Boulogne was once the hunting ground of the kings of France. It has become one of the largest places of relaxation for parisians and includes the Parc de Bagatelle and the Jardin d’Acclimatation. Pedestrian walkways, bridle paths and bicycle routes wander through the wild and diverse fauna and flora.

Neuilly-sur-Seine is also home to the prestigious Louis Vuitton Foundation. Its building, designed by Frank Gehry, reflects a unique, creative and innovative architecture that has become emblematic of the 21st century. Committed to art, culture and heritage, it offers numerous temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, presentations of works from the collection, artist commissions and multidisciplinary events.