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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Hauts-de-Seine prefecture, located in Nanterre in the western suburbs of Paris, was built in the 3rd quarter of the 20th century. This building, designed by architect André Wogenscky, disciple of Le Corbusier, embodies modern architectural principles with its "base/block" structure: a square building topped by a tower of 25 floors and 113 meters high. Initially planned to house the 20th-century museum desired by André Malraux, it eventually became the Departmental Administrative Centre (CAD), bringing together the prefectural and administrative services of Hauts-de-Seine. The tower, classified as a Great Height Building (IGH), dominates the urban landscape and symbolizes the presence of the state.

The project is part of a major administrative reorganization: in 1964, the Seine department was divided into four new departments, including Hauts-de-Seine. The prefecture of Nanterre was to be part of a "Cité de la culture", including administrative and cultural facilities (palais de justice, museum, theatre, art schools). After the death of Le Corbusier in 1965, André Wogenscky, assisted by Henri Chauvet, took over the project and realized a set marked by corbusian elements such as pilings, bandeau windows, and the Modulor. The General Council Hall, known as the Chateaubriand Hall, is inspired by a sculpture by Marta Pan, wife of Wogenscky.

The building, partially listed as a historic monument in 2019, houses protected elements such as the lobby, public stairs, the former council hall, and the prefect's offices. It also hosts various services: Academic Inspection, Public Finance, National Police, Bank of France, and departmental directorates. With about 1,400 agents in 2012, it remains a major administrative hub. Built on piles due to the water table and old mushroom, it is adjacent to the Courthouse, also designed by Wogenscky between 1969 and 1974.

The architecture of the building reflects a desire for transparency and dialogue between officials, elected officials and citizens, with games of materials, colours and rhythms. The interior decoration, partly preserved, is signed Alain Richard. The site, located at the crossroads of major urban axes, is accessible by several RER stations (Nanterre - Prefecture, Nanterre - University) and bus lines. Its strategic location, between the Grande Arche and the Seine, reinforces its central role in the planning of the Franciscan territory.

The Hauts-de-Seine prefecture illustrates a pivotal period in French urban planning, where modern architecture met the needs of a decentralized administration and a growing population. Its partial inscription in the historic monuments in 2019 underlines its heritage importance, both for its style and for its role in the administrative history of the Île-de-France region.

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