Conversation with Bernard Crouzet of Parisian Loft

A Parisian Loft between two stations. This Parisian pied-à-terre is definitely made for travelers. Bernard Crouzet, a 55-year-old French film director, has traveled all around the world to discover new cultures and people. Then, about 10 years ago, he bought this very unusual loft in the 10th Arrondissement, hidden between the “Vegetal Wall” of Paris and an old warehouse belonging to the French railway company.

Here, from a balcony as long as a train platform, the sound of travel is never far. You can hear the birds singing nearby and the noise of suitcases rolling on the paved streets of Paris.

Bernard, you still love traveling around the world for your movies, but you're living right now between the train stations of Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est. How did you find this place?

I am traveling less right now, and I was looking for a different place like a loft. When I visited this old warehouse with huge metallic structures and windows, I fell in love with the space and the light. My loft is not so big, only 80 square meters, but it feels very spacious. It’s opening my mind. Here, my ideas seem larger.

"I don’t hear the city here. I feel like I am living above Paris."

How did you keep the industrial spirit of this place?

All these metallic structures around us are beautiful, with all those round rivets and fine beams everywhere. The stairs look like a sculpture. I kept the old storage and shelf for my books, and I designed a modern kitchen with a cupboard I found in an old travel agency specializing in travel to India. Here, the idea of travel is never far.

Do you feel like you are in Paris here?

Not really, even if this kind of architecture is typicality Parisian! I don’t hear the city here. I feel like I am living above Paris. From the balcony I see the people walking with their suitcases between Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est, I smell the perfume of this fantastic green "Vegetal Wall" behind our loft. This is a way of traveling too… And when I go outside, I walk a lot in the streets of the city, everywhere, like a maniac.

What does the world traveling mean to you now?

For me, traveling is more about meeting people than discovering a new territory. Today, so many people can travel to so many places… The real idea of traveling for real travelers is meeting with people. This is what I love. And this is why I love the idea of renting my apartment to travelers.

Why did you choose BoutiqueHomes?

BoutiquesHomes has fantastic places and houses. I am renting my loft only on BH because clients are a little bit like me. They love traveling for sharing. I meet them all the time, and we talk about Paris and their own country. I let them stay in my home with everything inside: my books, my paintings, my pieces of art, everything. And I know they will appreciate and respect it. Some of them will come back, I’m sure. BH is a sharing place for me, a sharing experience.

Discover Bernard Crouzet's Parisian Loft for yourself here.

Main photograph by Leonard Lievre