A philosophy that shines A soft and living architecture A youth at heart A battle of…

a lake city inspired by Venise: Port-Grimaud. Built without banking support, driven by the passion for sailing and the audacity of a man, this city on water becomes a realized utopia. Denise Spoerry, a direct witness to this adventure, looks back on the beginnings of the construction site, the personality of François Spoerry, and the legacy of a gentle architecture.

How did you get into the adventure?

In 1968, friends from the Beaux-Arts school of Mulhouse suggested I join them in Port Grimaud in the south of France on an architect's project. I discovered the first signs: a few houses, a canal, plans. I knew I could never do anything as strong. I settled down, and I never left.

What was the atmosphere like on the construction site?

It was excitement, celebration, speed. People came, curious, but there was nothing to sell yet. We told them: 'It will be ready in a year or two'. It was playful, holidays, pleasure, boats... As for me, I fell in love with Port-Grimaud.

Looking back, what do you think is the secret of this success?

Two elements: the passion of a visionary architect, and a virgin site offering the freedom to recreate a Venetian lagoon in Provence.

How was the architectural design conceived?

Everything was designed in Mulhouse, in his offices with the precious help of several collaborators, one of whom, Armand Spiegel, is still present. François thought in terms of life infrastructures, in the manner of

Did he pursue projects elsewhere?

Yes, in Hyères near the salt marshes, everything was signed and the project was blocked by a change of government. In Guadeloupe, he was studying a lake city. He also worked in Égypte, in Turquie, in Asie, in New York... There, there was more freedom.

And on the security front?

Port-Grimaud is not a simple real estate project, it is a dream anchored in the gulf of Saint-Tropez. A refusal of concrete, and a faith in living together. And thanks to those who built it, it continues to sail in the hearts of visitors and residents. François Spoerry knew how to combine art, audacity and humanism. His work continues to inspire far beyond the Var shoreline.

A final episode sheds light on the tensions between the commune of Grimaud and the representative bodies of Port-Grimaud: the decision of the INPI to cancel the 'Port Grimaud' trademarks