Who we are
The Recollets international centre
The Recollets is a world unto itself, a collective novel in which each resident contributes to the history of the place. The atmosphere is one of a subtle balance between solitary work and fruitful encounters. The rigour of research rubs shoulders with creative impetus, disciplines intermingle: musicians, writers, mathematicians, photographers, filmmakers, physicists, biologists and choreographers (and the list goes on) share the same space, the same breath.
Although each person arrives with their own baggage – sometimes symbolic, sometimes material – they all have a story to tell. Some write, others compose, paint or film, but all are driven by the same quest for meaning and expression.
A Place Rich in History and Memories
The Récollets is not just accommodation, but a space that inspires and nurtures creation and research. The past still resonates there. Memories continue to dialogue with an ever-changing present.
Residents come from all over the world: Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, Oceania. They maintain a powerful link with Paris, both as a city of passage and a temporary anchorage. From their window, they observe the city, participate in its cultural life and capture its essence in their work. Some explore the city’s sound archives, others survey its museums and libraries, or immerse themselves in its theatres and galleries. Paris becomes a living laboratory for them, an inexhaustible source of inspiration. They forge links with other artists and researchers, creating an ephemeral but intense community.
A living space where creativity is protected
The Récollets site is owned by the City of Paris, transferred to the RIVP (Public Housing and Land Company) under a long-term lease and managed by Hénéo staff.
Nestled between the Gare de l’Est and the Canal Saint Martin, the building is partially listed in the inventory of historic monuments of Bâtiments de France. It comprises 80 furnished studios with floor areas to suit all budgets and space requirements (25 to 125 m2).
The Recollets centre is also home to other tenants : associations for sustainable development (La fabrique écologique, Résolis and Unadel), spaces rented to the Ordre des architectes d’Île de France, their café (Café A) and Maison de l’architecture, which are open to the general public.
The architectural ensemble is composed of shaded terraces, green spaces, arcaded corridors and multi-purpose rooms, adding to the attraction of the site.
