Logo Musée du Patrimoine

All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

Former headquarters of Humanity in Saint-Denis en Seine-Saint-Denis

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine urbain

Former headquarters of Humanity in Saint-Denis

    32 Rue Jean-Jaurès
    93200 Saint-Denis
Ownership of a private company

Timeline

Époque contemporaine
2000
1985
Removal project
février 1987
Niemeyer sketch
25 mars 1989
Movement of Humanity
23 avril 2007
Historical monument classification
1er janvier 2010
Repurchase by the State
2020
Attribution to Direccte
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

The facades and roofs (cad. A 68, 69, 71, 75, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226, 230, 234): registration by order of 23 April 2007

Key figures

Oscar Niemeyer - Architect Manufacturer of the building in Y (1987-1989).
Roland Leroy - Director of Humanity Initiator of the move project.
Patrick Le Hyaric - Director of the Journal (2007) Supervises the sale of the headquarters.
Jean-Maur Lyonnet - Representative of Niemeyer Attends the construction site.

Origin and history

The former headquarters of L-Humanity is an emblematic building designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer between 1987 and 1989 to house the French communist daily. Located in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), opposite the Basilica of Saint-Denis, it is located in a triangular plot between social housing and the protected perimeter of the Basilica. The project was born in 1985 when Roland Leroy, editor of the newspaper, sought to leave the Paris premises of Boulevard Poissonnière for a more suitable site. The choice of Saint-Denis is necessary, but the proximity of the basilica requires the endorsement of the Higher Commission of Historic Monuments. Niemeyer, who was asked, proposed a sketch in February 1987, imagining a Y-shaped building with fluid curves, respecting urban constraints while offering views of the basilica.

The construction was completed in 1989, and the newspaper settled on 25 March, before an official inauguration on 27 April. The facades and roofs are classified as historical monuments in 2007. However, financial difficulties are driving the company to sell the building in 2007 for EUR 15 million to a Swiss investor, before the French state finally acquires it in 2010 for EUR 12 million. After several aborted projects (sub-prefecture, university, digital school), the building is allocated in 2020 to Direccte (now Drieets), with a planned renovation from 2025 to 40 million euros, integrating cultural spaces for the city.

Architecturally, Niemeyer designs a curved concrete structure covered with a semi-reflective glass curtain wall, creating a dialogue between modernity and heritage. The lobby and roof terrace, open to the public, are part of the Saint-Denis project, the European Capital of Culture 2028. The building symbolizes both the industrial and media heritage of the Parisian suburbs and a late architectural audacity of the then 80-year-old Niemeyer.

External links