INTERIORS I Paris
Set within a seventeenth-century townhouse on Île Saint-Louis, this apartment has been carefully restored to reflect the elegance of the Grand Siècle, thanks to the vision of architect Chloé Leymarie and visual artist François Weiss, whose sensitive intervention has brought renewed refinement and character to one of Paris's remarkable historic interiors.
Few periods in French history have shaped the nation's cultural identity as profoundly as the Grand Siècle, the age defined by the reign of Louis XIV. Celebrated by Voltaire as an era approaching perfection, it witnessed extraordinary achievements in architecture, literature, music and the visual arts. It was a time that saw the creation of institutions such as the Royal Academy of Architecture, the Académie Française and the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, while masterpieces by Racine, La Fontaine and Molière redefined French literature. It also gave rise to some of the country's most celebrated monuments, including the Palace of Versailles.
Dating from this extraordinary period, the building that houses this apartment occupies a privileged position on Île Saint-Louis, one of the two natural islands on the River Seine and among Paris's most historic neighbourhoods. Covering approximately 260 square metres, the three-bedroom residence was acquired two years ago by Siena and Mathieu Ménonville, passionate art collectors who saw beyond decades of neglect to recognise the remarkable architectural qualities that still lay beneath.
Determined to restore the apartment's original spirit rather than simply renovate it, the owners assembled a multidisciplinary team led by visual artist and artistic director François Weiss alongside architect Chloé Leymarie. Their ambition was to recover the atmosphere of a residence conceived during one of France's greatest cultural eras while adapting it with sensitivity to contemporary living.
The couple had previously collaborated with François Weiss on the restoration of a historic manor house in the Perche region of northern France. The understated elegance and quiet sophistication achieved there convinced them to embark on a second project together. This time, the challenge lay in rediscovering and reinterpreting the spirit of the Grand Siècle. Elegant timber panelling now defines the principal reception rooms, crafted with such precision that it appears original to the house. Restrained yet deeply respectful of the building's history, the intervention allows its architectural heritage to re-emerge with remarkable clarity while embracing the comfort and sensibility of modern life.
www.francoisweiss.com
Photography by Matthieu Salvaing
Words by Luminița Diculescu
Discover the full version of this story in Volume III.