Halle Pajol, Youth hostel and public library in 18th arrondissement, France
Halle Pajol is a modern community hub combining accommodation, library services, dining, and workspace in a single building. The facility has roughly 100 rooms of different sizes, shared spaces, and a kitchen area seating around 200 people.
The building was constructed in 1926 as a railway warehouse for the SNCF network. In 2013, architect Françoise-Hélène Jourda led its transformation into an active community center.
The Vaclav Havel library serves the neighborhood as a gathering space for learning and exchanging ideas. Regular events here bring together people who live and work in this Paris district.
The site is easily reached by public transport and provides parking for visitors. Access throughout the facility is designed for everyone, including people with mobility needs.
The roof is covered with roughly 3,500 square meters of solar panels, making it one of France's largest urban solar installations. This energy source powers the building and shows how old industrial structures can be reused sustainably.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
