This former gendarmerie barracks, located in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, has been made available to the Aurore association in partnership with Plateau Urbain since September 2018. This temporary occupancy project is part of a plan by the owner (Paris Habitat) to renovate the building with the long-term goal of creating social housing, a boarding house, a daycare center, and a shelter.

The site has hosted three emergency shelters for asylum seekers and refugees, as well as families (350 people in total). Plateau Urbain was tasked with selecting, welcoming, and fostering a community of organizations comprising artists, artisans, associations, and social entrepreneurs. The goal was both to provide organizations (particularly those from the neighborhood) with workspace and to enable them to contribute to the site’s vitality, developing activities that support professional integration and the well-being of residents.

Beyond internal diversity initiatives, Les Cinq Toits was a project open to the public, featuring various points of connection with the neighborhood (bike hub, “La Table du Récho” restaurant, DIY space, open garden) that allowed local residents to engage with the space—a key priority for this former barracks. Fully integrated into the neighborhood, the site also hosted numerous events open to the public (artisan markets, workshops, dining, garage sales, etc.), highlighting this diversity project while raising awareness about the challenges of exile and migration.

View the “Review and Outlook” document for Les Cinq Toits – 2028–2023