Within the ramparts of Boulogne-sur-Mer,
a townhouse of approximately 200 m² with a planted roof terrace
a townhouse of approximately 200 m² with a planted roof terrace
Boulogne-sur-Mer,
PAS-DE-CALAIS
north
62200
FR
Location
Known for its fishing port, its fortified old town and the Nausicaá national sea centre, Boulogne-sur-Mer combines medieval heritage with a maritime character and ready access to the coast. Its ramparts, built between the 13th and 16th centuries, rank among the best-preserved in northern France. Encircling the old town for approximately 1.5 km, they offer a walkway with views over the port and the city's historic rooftops. The house stands within these walls, within walking distance of everyday shops and services, and close to Notre-Dame Basilica, the town hall, the Palais Impérial des Androuins and several other monuments of considerable heritage interest.
Description
The 18th-century house rises over three levels. For several years it served as the French pied-à-terre of architect Marco Goldschmied, who collaborated with Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers on the Centre Georges-Pompidou. The main facade is in Baincthun stone, the window surrounds in Marquise stone, and the red-tiled roof is pierced by roof windows and dormers. While most of the original materials have been retained, the interior was redesigned for contemporary use: new proportions and generous ceiling heights draw abundant natural light throughout. Beyond the house, a planted terrace of approximately 30 m² is sheltered from the wind by tall pale walls.
The house
Outwardly typical of the townhouses built within the neighbouring ramparts, the house carries inside the unmistakable mark of its architect's eye: Marco Goldschmied's characteristic attention to proportion and the presence of natural light.
The ground floor
The entrance hall opens onto a dual-aspect reception room surmounted by a mezzanine. Stone flooring in a natural tone runs throughout, while the generous ceiling heights reinforce the sense of light across every room. A fitted kitchen, structured around a dining area, extends the living room beyond. Wide openings lead onto the terrace, paved in the same stone as the interior, drawing the reception rooms and the outside into a single continuity. A lavatory and utility room complete the level.
The first floor
The wide timber staircase arrives at a landing from which the mezzanine, fitted as a study, and two bedrooms with generous ceiling heights are reached, along with a bathroom with lavatory. Varnished wood strip flooring runs throughout the level.
The second floor
Beyond the landing, two bedrooms occupy this level, one with a private bathroom. Exposed roof timbers and original beams define the rooms and anchor the house in its history. The dormers and roof windows flood the interior with light from both sides, heightening the sense of the roof ridge above.
The garage and the cellar
The house includes a garage, a rarity in Boulogne-sur-Mer's old quarter. A vaulted cellar of approximately 15 m² serves equally well for storing prized bottles, as a workshop, or as general storage.
Our opinion
A nearly 250-year-old townhouse that uniquely combines architectural singularity with generous proportions, quality ornamentation and an exceptional position within the historic ramparts of Boulogne-sur-Mer. In excellent structural condition, the house bears the mark of a renovation directed by Marco Goldschmied. The interior war redistributed around three governing principles: ease of movement, natural light, and honest use of original materials — stone walls, exposed timber framing, natural floor surfaces, restrained joinery. At the rear, the planted terrace, screened by the old walls, extends the reception rooms into the open air.
Reference 262297
| Land registry surface area | 160 m² |
| Main building floor area | 200 m² |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
French Energy Performance Diagnosis
Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available on the website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
