An Architect-Designed House in the History of Modernism

Property Description

The Badovici Gray House, In VÉZELAY

Located in the historic heart of Vézelay, the Badovici Gray House is a discreet and unique retreat. This stone house, a true source of inspiration, was redesigned by Jean Badovici and Eileen Gray. It bears the mark of many artists, notably Le Corbusier, who worked on it in the 1930s. The property is laid out in an unconventional way, in direct harmony with the local landscape.

A Unique Getaway In The Heart Of The VILLAGE
Located in the center of Vézelay, the house is on Rue de l'Argenterie, a street off the beaten path that runs parallel to the main street. You are in the heart of the old village, in its most compact and intimate section. The basilica is less than a 3-minute walk away, while the main square and its restaurants are also within easy reach. Vézelay lives in tune with the seasons, with a lively summer atmosphere: a setting that is ideal for a second home as well as for a peaceful life throughout the year. From the windows and terraces, the view stretches far across the Vézelay vineyards, the terraced gardens, and the surrounding countryside. This hillside offers unobstructed views and soft light, without excessive heat in summer thanks to its sheltered exposure.

AN Architect-Designed Home Rooted In The History Of MODERNISM
In 1927, Jean Badovici purchased two small adjoining hovels on Rue de l'Argenterie, on the northern slope of the village. He joined them together and transformed them with the help of Eileen Gray. It was here, in Vézelay, that their collaboration took shape and deepened. The reworked openings, the integrated elements, and the office fitted out in the attic bear witness to the expertise they forged together in this village. Le Corbusier, a close friend of Badovici and a regular visitor to the house, wrote in La Ville Radieuse (1933): ?Everything is tiny, yet everything is grand. It is a setting on a human scale.' In 1936, Fernand Léger created a painting on the courtyard wall, now preserved at the Zervos Museum in Vézelay. Inspired by this, Le Corbusier in turn created his very first mural on a wall in the living room that same year, traces of which remain visible. This experiment convinced him. Badovici entertained frequently. Poets, artists, and writers frequented the house. Paul Éluard, who took refuge in Vézelay during the war, left behind an autographed poem, still visible in one of the bedrooms. A second poem, by Jean Follain, is also preserved in the house's living room.

A Space To Make Your OWN
The property comprises two houses, each approximately 85 m² in size, spread over two levels, connected by a split-level interior courtyard that rises from Rue de l'Argenterie toward the second house on Rue des Écoles. Concrete, stone, and earth make up this intermediate space?both a passageway and a living area?where a flower garden would naturally find its place. The Badovici house features an attic of approximately 15 m², formerly the architect's office, identifiable from the street by the raised roof and its two vertical openings, to be converted as needed. A cellar, much older than the house itself, is ideal for storing wine. The space can be easily adapted to suit your needs without major renovations.

AGENCY OPINION
This house is ideal for a buyer with an appreciation for architecture and history. Its rarity stems from the convergence of several uncommon criteria: a central location in Vézelay, a documented and tangible history, a clear modernist identity, and real potential for appreciation.