Here, at the Centre Lourcine – Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, history and education intertwine. The Centre Lourcine stands as a testament to Paris’s evolving urban landscape. It once served as the Lourcine barracks. These military buildings were constructed in 1875.
Today, part of the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne occupies this historic space. The Centre Lourcine houses a library, amphitheater, classrooms, and offices. These facilities reside within the old buildings and basements of the former Place d’Armes. The project aimed to honor Parisian heritage. Architects intervened carefully to preserve existing spaces and the site’s history. They adapted the program to new uses while retaining traces of the past.
The Place d’Armes maintains its unifying and symbolic function. It slopes into a landscaped area highlighting the new access to the gallery and amphitheater. Reading rooms and classrooms integrate into the existing structure. They utilize its spatial qualities and noble materials.
In 2011, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne launched the Campus Port-Royal project. This initiative addressed the university’s growing student population. The Centre Lourcine added 10,750 square meters of built space. This provides teaching and research spaces. A 2,000-square-meter library was also added. The university moved into these new facilities in the fall of 2019.
In 2014, the Rectorat de l’académie de Paris entrusted the project to Epaurif. Epaurif is the public institution for university development in the Île-de-France region. Buildings 1 and 2 date back to the 19th century. These buildings underwent significant renovations. Work included interior insulation of vertical walls and attics. The buildings were also connected to the urban heating network. The central esplanade underwent a complete landscape rehabilitation.
The architectural challenge was to preserve the heritage. This campus tells the story of the neighborhood. Buildings 1 and 2 now house research and teaching facilities. Resources previously scattered across various Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne centers are now consolidated here. Building 3 features a 500-seat amphitheater. It also has a connecting gallery between Buildings 1 and 2. This building serves as the main entrance to the campus from the former Place d’Armes.
The Centre René-Cassin is linked to the Lourcine site. Together, they form the Campus Port-Royal. This new hub streamlines university spaces. It consolidates sites dedicated to legal disciplines. The campus provides exceptional working conditions for students, teachers, researchers, and staff. Over 2,400 people now occupy this campus.
Building 1 spans 3,500 square meters. It houses research facilities and the library. Building 2 covers 2,500 square meters. It contains teaching facilities and administrative spaces. Building 3 has reprography and logistics services in the basement. It also holds the 500-seat amphitheater.
The overall investment in the Centre Lourcine project totaled 33.42 million euros. The state contributed 27 million euros. The Île-de-France region provided 6.42 million euros. In total, the Centre Lourcine offers 10,750 square meters of space. It includes an amphitheater with 500 seats and 28 classrooms. Each classroom can accommodate 45 to 60 students.
The École de droit de la Sorbonne is based here. Libraries previously located in various centers are now at the Centre Lourcine. The CIPCEA prepares students for civil service exams. The IREDIES researches international and European law. The ISJPS studies legal and philosophical sciences. Even the reprography service is located here. The Centre Lourcine embodies the university’s commitment to modern education within a historic setting.