Halle Pajol, Youth hostel and public library in 18th arrondissement, France
The Halle Pajol complex integrates a youth hostel with 330 beds and a library facility within a renovated former SNCF railway warehouse building.
Built in 1926 as a railway warehouse, the structure underwent transformation in 2013 under architect Françoise-Hélène Jourda to serve modern community needs.
The Vaclav Havel library within Halle Pajol provides resources and organizes educational events for residents and visitors of the 18th arrondissement.
The facility contains 103 rooms with configurations ranging from single to six-bed arrangements, plus meeting spaces and a 200-seat dining area.
The building features 3,523 square meters of rooftop photovoltaic panels, establishing it as one of the largest urban solar installations in France.
Location: 18th arrondissement of Paris
Inception: 1926
Architects: Françoise-Hélène Jourda
Made from material: concrete, prestressed concrete, masonry, steel frame construction
GPS coordinates: 48.88841,2.36296
Latest update: September 20, 2025 09:12
Paris has reshaped its architectural landscape over recent decades by constructing distinctly contemporary buildings. La Défense's Grande Arche extends the city's historic axis, while Frank Gehry's Louis Vuitton Foundation unfurls its glass sails in Bois de Boulogne. The François Mitterrand Library rises with four towers shaped like open books along the Seine, symbolizing a confident embrace of modernity. However, Paris architecture is not limited to recent constructions. The city has reinvented old structures: La Samaritaine, a department store in Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles, was restored to its former glory after a lengthy renovation. The former Bercy wine warehouses have become a lively shopping district, the Viaduc des Arts hosts artisan workshops beneath its 19th-century arches, and the Centquatre turned a municipal funeral home into a cultural center. These renovations demonstrate how Paris combines heritage preservation with adaptation to contemporary functions.
Centquatre-Paris
647 m
Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord
576 m
Jardins d'Éole
286 m
Saint-Bernard de la Chapelle
637 m
Saint-Denys de la Chapelle
391 m
Institute of Islamic Culture
497 m
Sainte-Jeanne-d'Arc
404 m
Marché de La Chapelle
290 m
Esplanade Nathalie-Sarraute
35 m
Square Alain-Bashung
616 m
Square de la Madone
490 m
Pont de la rue Riquet
282 m
Jardins Rosa-Luxemburg
114 m
Viaduc de la ligne 2 du métro de Paris
447 m
Église Notre-Dame de Chaldée
343 m
Jardin Nusch-Éluard
534 m
Square Saint-Bernard
563 m
Square Louise-de-Marillac
464 m
Square Paul-Robin
579 m
Faune aux enfants
626 m
Square de Jessaint
521 m
Barrière des Vertus
489 m
Square Françoise-Hélène-Jourda
210 m
Square Marc-Seguin
418 m
Square de l'Évangile
455 m
Jeanne d'Arc
407 m
Statue of Madonna and Child, Rue de la Madone
544 m
Chapelle Saint-Maurice de Paris
546 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes