Community Centre in Versailles

The Saint-Louis Community Centre annex is located in Croÿ barracks, a former mansion belonging to the King’s Guard. It enjoys a prestigious address in the historic centre of Versailles between Rue Royale and Avenue de Sceaux, a stone’s throw from the Chateau de Versailles.

The development is also inside a Périmètre de Sauvegarde et de Mise en Valeur (Conservation and Enhancement Area), and its site boasts several constructions listed as historic monuments: a square pavilion, the gateway to 5 Rue Royale, and a circular paved courtyard formerly used as the riding arena for the King’s Guard’s horses, which were quartered in stables in the courtyards on either side.

The site’s true worth lies in its very high quality empty spaces. To conserve them, the development was placed on the avenue, directly replacing dilapidated, demolished buildings. As a result, the Community Centre can make full use of the conserved inner courtyard as a reception and performance space.

The simple longhouse on Avenue de Sceaux provides continuity with the Croÿ barracks and its garden replicates the more modest style of the Versailles courtyards.