The La Santé Prison remains a primary example of public infrastructure design, constructed between 1861 and 1867 within the 13th arrondissement of Paris. This facility represents the professional output of Émile Vaudremer, a French architect whose career defined significant portions of the 19th-century Parisian landscape through state-commissioned institutional and religious projects.
Early Education and Academic Recognition
Vaudremer entered the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts in 1847. During his studies, he apprenticed under Guillaume Abel Blouet. His academic trajectory culminated in 1854 when he secured the Prix de Rome. This distinction allowed him to reside at the Villa Medici in Rome from January 1855 through December 1858, providing him with a foundation in classical and historical architectural principles.
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His career centered on government positions and public institutional appointments. He served as the Architect of the City of Paris and acted as a diocesan architect between 1882 and 1884. His administrative responsibilities extended to the Conseil supérieur for prisons and the Conseil for collèges and lycées. Additionally, he held a teaching post at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts, where he mentored students including Jacques Hermant, Louis Sullivan, Theophilus Parsons Chandler Jr., and Arthur Rotch.
Architectural Contributions
Vaudremer executed a variety of building types, ranging from religious structures to educational facilities. His notable works include the church of Saint-Pierre-de-Montrouge, Notre-Dame-d'Auteuil, and the Church of Saint-Antoine-des-Quinze-Vingts. His educational designs encompass the Lycée Buffon, Lycée Champollion, and Lycée Molière. Beyond these, he designed St. Stephen's Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the Protestant Temple of Belleville, and several residential or administrative projects, such as the Villa Collin and the Episcopal Palace in Beauvais.
Honours and Legacy
In 1867, he gained election to the Académie des beaux-arts. The French state recognized his service with multiple ranks within the Legion of Honour, beginning as a Knight in 1867, progressing to Officer in 1882, and finally achieving the rank of Commander in 1900. He died in 1914 in Antibes and is buried in the cimetière Saint-Véran at Avignon.
Fast facts
- Born: 1829, former 11th arrondissement of Paris
- Died: 1914, Antibes
- Education: Beaux-Arts de Paris, 1847
- Prix de Rome recipient: 1854
- Notable work: La Santé Prison
- Legion of Honour: Knight 1867, Officer 1882, Commander 1900
- Academic affiliation: Académie des beaux-arts
- Notable student: Louis Sullivan
Questions readers ask
Which famous American architect studied under Vaudremer?
Louis Sullivan was among the students mentored by Vaudremer at the École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts.
Did Vaudremer design buildings outside of Paris?
Yes, his works include the Episcopal Palace in Beauvais, the Lycée Champollion in Grenoble, and the Lycée Michelet in Montauban.
Achievements
- Notable work: La Santé Prison
- Notable work: Saint-Pierre-de-Montrouge
- Notable work: Notre-Dame-d'Auteuil
- Notable work: Lycée Champollion
- Prix de Rome
- resident at the Villa Medici
- Commander of the Legion of Honour
- Trained at Beaux-Arts de Paris
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