Galerie des Damiers

In 1971, a film crew descended upon a quiet impasse in Courbevoie. They were there to immortalize the location for the film “Le Chat,” starring Simone Signoret and Jean Gabin. This seemingly unremarkable street would soon be transformed. Years later, the Galerie des Damiers arose in its place. The Galerie des Damiers is a striking complex of four buildings, each designed with a stepped, or “gradins,” pattern. This unique architectural choice harkens back to the 1910s and saw a resurgence in the 1960s. The Galerie des Damiers buildings are named Damiers d’Anjou, Damiers de Bretagne, Damiers de Champagne, and Damiers du Dauphiné. They house a combined 640 apartments. Imagine a pyramid-like structure, its form maximizing natural light penetration even to the lower levels where shops are located. The facades of the Galerie des Damiers, totaling 25,000 square meters, boast prefabricated concrete panels adorned with a distinctive circular pattern in relief and recess. This complex stands as a testament to the architectural vision of Jacques Binoux and Michel Folliasson. They also collaborated with architects Abro and Henri Kandjian. These four architects played a significant role in shaping the surrounding Saisons district. They designed structures like the Allianz-Neptune tower, various residences, and even hotels. While the Galerie des Damiers has been a vibrant part of the community, its future remains uncertain, with demolition plans looming. The proposed Hermitage Plaza towers threaten its existence. However, as of 2021, some buildings within the Galerie des Damiers complex, those under co-ownership, have escaped this fate. The Galerie des Damiers continues to stand as a symbol of a specific era of French architecture and urban planning.