The high-quality modernist edifice

The edifice bears witness to the modernist architecture of the 1960s. It is the fruit of an encounter between two figures of the arts from the pre-war and post-war periods: Pierre Seghers (1906–1987), the famous publisher of French poetry and member of the French Resistance, and the architect Paul Tournon (1881–1964), who received the Prix de Rome award and was known for his religious edifices of reinforced steel and his buildings for the Bank of France. His daughter, Marion Tournon-Branly (1924–2016), an architect, oversaw construction of the building up to 1968, when it was completed. Pierre Seghers settled into the top three floors of the building with his family. He used the apartment for his activities as a writer and publisher. Two marble plaques on the edifice’s facade mention the famous publisher and the renowned architect. The building’s architectural articulation contrasts with the emblematic Haussmannian facades that neighbour it. Its communal areas and facade, which is flat yet elegant, display the plain aesthetics and functional nature of modernist architecture. Strips of broad windows and white stone slabs mark each floor. In the vast entrance patio, the white tone of Carrara marble contrasts with mahogany panelling. A plain lift takes you to the upper floors. These floors are filled with natural light. They are punctuated with mahogany doors that have unique geometric door handles of brushed stainless steel. From the entrance hall onwards, a minimalistic interior design with noble materials reflects the know-how and uniqueness of the property’s architectural style.

The three-level apartment and its remarkable roof terrace

The apartment lies on the top three floors of the edifice. A spectacular 130m² roof terrace crowns it. The dwelling offers a 189m² floor area and combines the advantages of facing north-east and south-west with stunning panoramic views of Parisian rooftops and the French capital’s emblematic monuments. The interior offers soothing calm, self-contained spaces and an abundance of natural light – all the ingredients for a fulfilling family lifestyle. On the seventh and eighth floors, there are separate entrance doors of mahogany with geometric handles of brushed steel. On the seventh floor, there is a small apartment with a kitchen. A plain spiral staircase of metal leads all the way up to the roof terrace. It connects to the different levels, each one of which offers spacious bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own private shower room. An 11m² kitchen can host guests around a wooden table in a dining area. And evening gatherings with friends can take place in the apartment’s vast 49m² lounge. The dual-aspect apartment has kept its late-1960s decor: white walls punctuated with strips of broad windows, oak parquet laid in a checked pattern, floors of terracotta tiles, mosaic tiling, and metal window frames. The apartment needs to be renovated somewhat. Yet the modernist architectural style here gives you the possibility to freely redesign the layout since the partition walls can easily be removed. The property includes a cellar in the basement, as well as a parking space.