Cité-jardin des Rosiers

The Cité-jardin des Rosiers is a residential development in Caen containing 31 houses built from rough stone and red bricks with tiled roofs. The structures are surrounded by gardens that form part of the overall layout, with green space integrated throughout the site.

Built between 1908 and 1922 under Edmond Villey-Desmeserets's direction, this development emerged from the 1894 Siegfried law aimed at improving workers' housing conditions. The project responded to national policy promoting dignified residential environments for industrial workers.

The houses were designed for workers and reflect two distinct building styles that developed over their construction period. They represent an effort to create dignified housing with personal gardens, going beyond simple shelter to provide families with their own piece of land.

The site sits in the Hastings district and can be easily explored on foot with plenty of space to walk between the houses. The layout makes it simple to move around and view the different structures at your own pace without feeling rushed.

The facades survived the 1944 bombing raids that damaged much of Caen, standing as evidence of their solid construction. Recognition as a protected monument in 2007 acknowledged this survival and the buildings' continuing heritage importance.