Description
A Colorful Manifesto on the Banks of the Dordogne
An iconic modernist achievement, this stilt house built between 1956 and 1959 was designed by architect Georges Lacaze in close collaboration with its patron, Jean-Paul Pic. It has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2008.
Set within a 2,927 m² plot, this home—open to both greenery and the Dordogne River below—offers a total surface area of approximately 250 m², spread across a main level and a garden level.
The main floor features a spacious living area with lounge and dining space, opening onto a panoramic terrace. This is complemented by an adjacent kitchen and a pantry. The sleeping quarters include four bedrooms, one bathroom, and two shower rooms located on either side of the living space.
The garden level houses a garage, technical rooms, an entrance hall, and an indoor swimming pool. The pool benefits from a fully retractable glass wall opening onto a large terrace, and is enhanced by an enamel mural created by Paul Corriger.
Located on the banks of the Dordogne, south of the medieval town of Bergerac, this house enjoys the benefits of a tourist-friendly and attractive region, rich in heritage.
A 1950s Synthesis of the Arts
This house is composed of a suspended volume, almost levitating, opening up a visual breakthrough to the landscape, with the Dordogne gliding beneath the hollowed-out base. This colorful monolith, perched on black stilts hidden within the vegetation, seems to float above nature.
From the outside, every element is designed as a set piece in its own right: a vibrant stained-glass window captures the light; a turquoise-blue railing engages in dialogue with the surrounding foliage; the structural posts disappear into shadow, sparking curiosity and inviting further exploration.
Inside, in a true synthesis of the arts, this harmony continues. Stretching nearly 11 meters in length, the living room unfolds in full transparency, bathed in light and framed by the river beyond. Great care has been taken in the choice of materials and finishes, curated by interior designer René Fray: original terrazzo flooring; a wall-mounted library wrapped in patterned fabric; a sculptural stove as a centerpiece; and outside, a cantilevered balcony clad in turquoise mosaic, echoing the tones of the entrance. The overall feel evokes the soft, refined interiors of the 1950s, subtly balancing exuberance and precision.
Throughout the house, the senses are constantly engaged: textures, mirrored surfaces, wall-to-wall carpeting, and patterned tiles all interplay. Glass bricks filter the light, and indirect lighting becomes scenography. Multicolored mosaics—pink, yellow, black, red—create a chromatic thread woven through the living spaces.
Habitation as an Art Form
This architectural work was commissioned by Jean-Paul Pic, a Bergerac-based industrialist born in 1915 and a former student at the École des Beaux-Arts in Bordeaux. He enlisted architect Georges Lacaze (1913–1958) and interior designer René Fray (1920–1985), both close friends, to bring the project to life.
The house was built using the most advanced construction and domestic technologies of the time. Its layout was carefully designed to optimize sunlight and spatial flow. Determined to make everyday life easier, Jean-Paul Pic equipped the home with cutting-edge systems, including forced-air heating and a hot water loop system delivering instant hot water to every tap.
This home reflects mid-20th-century architectural explorations of “the art of living”—a design philosophy centered on comfort, functionality, and the integration of modern technology into daily life.
Infos techniques
Price: €650,000
Agency fees paid by the seller
Property tax: Not communicated
Heating: Oil
Information on potential risks affecting this property is available on the Géorisques website: www.georisques.gouv.fr
© Texts: Architecture de Collection
© Photos: Susie Donnat
Energy Performance Certificate not required for listed Historic Monuments
