Architectural Masterpiece By Claude Parent Near Paris

In the 1960s, Claude Parent, one of France’s most important architects, created a revolutionary masterpiece in a remote forest in Normandy. Inspired by an encounter with the philosopher Paul Virilio, Parent designed a bold and extravagant house for the artist Andrée Bordeaux-Le Pecq. The unique building, reminiscent of a pagoda from afar, is as extravagant as it is cleverly laid out inside and sits on a 37,000-square-meter plot with a small private forest and a tennis court – just over an hour’s drive from Paris in Normandy, in the immediate vicinity of two exclusive golf courses.

Even from the street, you can sense that this is a very special testament to architectural history: Behind the simple gate, a 50-meter-long gravel path leads down to the house, which is positioned parallel to the road on the developed and well-maintained property. The first thing that catches your eye is the spectacular roof structure, which has made the villa, built almost entirely of concrete and glass, so famous in the design world.

The house was deliberately divided into two areas dedicated to different needs: the public, representative area with a studio, now used as a living and dining area, and the private area with three bedrooms and their bathrooms. Concrete, glass, and light wood remain the dominant building materials inside, complemented by the antique terracotta flooring, laid in a herringbone pattern and extending seamlessly out onto the terrace. The spectacular roof creates a spectacular spatial profile inside and is echoed by the equally curved, white walls.
While the dining area with built-in cupboards and access to the terrace is located in the center, the house opens up to the living area on the left via a few steps. The walls here are additionally clad in light wood, creating a beautiful contrast to the rough concrete. A wood-paneled staircase leads to the gallery, which was formerly used as a studio. It overlooks the entire living area and is exactly the inspiring workspace an artist could wish for. Today, it accommodates a large desk, an easel, and plenty of storage thanks to original fixtures. The iconic skylight, created by the shape of the roof, is located directly above. Below the gallery is the kitchen with a preparation room, which can be further expanded, as the adjoining room was added later and is currently accessible from the entrance area.

The west side of the living area is dedicated to the open fireplace, which includes a huge concrete flue, built in one piece. This is also the transition to the sleeping area. The entire house is glazed at the rear with large windows that open up views of the stunning property. The aluminum windows, including the panes, are partially curved and were organically adapted to the shape of the house.

The sleeping area occupies the right-hand side of the house and is accessible from the living area and the hallway. It has predominantly wooden flooring. All rooms and the long hallway have practical built-in closets. There are three bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom. These are authentically styled from the 1960s design era, some with hand-broken glass mosaic tiles. The two large corner bedrooms feature ribbon windows at different heights, allowing for particularly beautiful natural light. Numerous new trees were planted along the property boundary with the neighbor, promising additional privacy on the west side of the property in a short time. The tennis court is also located to the west, but can only be guessed at from the house, as it is obscured by numerous large trees. A basement storage room is also available, accessible via a shaft on the side of the house and designed for easy loading and unloading.

In addition to the main house, there is a beautiful, small caretaker’s cottage at the edge of the property, which can be lived in and/or rented out.

Location
The micro-location of the house is exceptionally quiet. The road in front of the gate is virtually unused and leads only to the residents’ properties, all of which are very spacious. The only constant sound is the chirping of the birds, who feel very comfortable on the vast, wooded property. Bois-le-Roi, located west of Paris, offers a charming setting known for its natural beauty and historic charm. The region is characterized by picturesque villages, lush forests, and scenic rivers. Outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and fishing are popular here. Also nearby are well-known cities such as Rouen and Versailles, with their historic landmarks. This house for sale in Bois-le-Roi offers its residents an ideal location to experience and enjoy the beauty of Normandy.

Features:
– Listed building due to iconic architecture
– Open fireplace
– Exceptional materials, such as hand-carved tiles, exposed concrete, ceramic tiles, etc.
– Tennis court
– Absolute tranquility
– Private forest
– Newly planted privacy screens in all directions
– Four bedrooms
– Spectacular furniture collection, which can be purchased optionally
– 1 hour 20 minutes drive to Paris
– Plot is ideal for a pool
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the Géorisques website: https://www.georisques.gouv.fr/