How about a walk along a path with a story? That’s what Villa Cacheux in Malakoff offers. This path wasn’t always open. In July 2024, a fire at a nearby property forced its closure for safety. The Villa Cacheux was closed to pedestrians. But now, it is open again.
Villa Cacheux owes its existence to Emile Cacheux. He was an engineer. In 1871, he started a project of 25 worker houses. They were completed in 1872. Cacheux wanted to provide decent housing for workers. He was a social housing advocate. He believed owning a home and garden could solve worker housing problems. It could also promote stability.
Cacheux wasn’t just a builder. He was also a promoter. He wrote books showcasing worker housing. These included award-winning designs from the Universal Expositions between 1880 and 1900. He started his work in Les Lilas. He went on to build over 300 small houses in Paris and its suburbs. These included Vanves, Asnières, and Boulogne-sur-Seine.
His efforts helped the passage of the Siegfried Law in 1894. This law created social housing in France. In 1912, he was still involved. He served on the patronage committee for affordable housing in the Seine department. Cacheux was similar to Emile Muller. Muller was the architect of the worker city in Mulhouse. Cacheux also grouped houses to lower construction costs.
These houses had one story. They came in two types. Each had a garden in front or in back. Workers could buy them through annual payments. However, Cacheux noted that only 4% of workers could afford it. At the Universal Exposition of 1889, the houses won awards. About 15 of these houses still stand today. They are on Rue de la République and Rue du 14 juillet in Les Lilas. Rue de la République was originally named Rue Cacheuse.
Villa Cacheux is more than a path. It represents a vision of social progress. It shows one man’s dedication to improving workers’ lives. Walking here connects you to that history. You are walking on a path of social change. Please take a moment to reflect on the history of Villa Cacheux.