ICONIC ARCHITECTURE: Villejuif-Gustave Roussy station

Villejuif–Gustave Roussy station voted the most beautiful station in the world

It is the largest civil engineering project in Europe. The Grand Paris Express not only concerns a key hub in the Île-de-France region but extends across the entire Paris metropolitan area. One of the pieces of this vast puzzle is the Villejuif-Gustave Roussy station, skilfully designed and built by Dominique Perrault Architecture.

The challenges of the Grand Paris Express are numerous. It is a large-scale project that actively contributes to the emergence of a sustainable metropolis in the face of the climate challenge. The Villejuif - Gustave Roussy station is one of the deepest transport infrastructures in France. It benefits from a strategic location, positioned on the highest point of the Longboyau plateau.

Viewed from the outside, the station resembles a pavilion that blends interior and exterior spaces, yet its secret remains hidden. Once inside, the sense of scale shifts: the structure unfolds, opens up, and plunges deep into the earth. Its architecture? A stroke of genius that begins with a hint of modesty, gradually revealing itself before leading into a world of advanced engineering.

The architectural exercise is holistic. It calls for great dexterity, genuine expertise, and a determination that withstands every challenge. For indeed, such a structure can proudly take its place in the timeless heritage of architectural masterpieces.

Nevertheless, iconic as it may be, the project is also highly functional. Linking two opposing yet complementary worlds - the one below and the one above - this vast cylinder, 70 metres in diameter with a 30‑metre‑deep hollowed‑out core, has everything to captivate. Taking one of the escalators or pausing on one of the balcony-like galleries becomes an experience in its own right. Fascination accompanies every visitor who ventures, even by chance, into this masterful and subtle labyrinth.

The architectural feat is completed through the interior fittings, lighting, and acoustics - a set of elements finely crafted by Gaëlle Lauriot‑Prévost, partner within the Dominique Perrault Architecture agency. For example, stainless steel appears in several forms: whether smooth, mesh‑like, perforated, mirror‑polished or satin‑finished, it enriches every atmosphere, enhances each surface, and, through its play of reflections and shine, contributes to the diffusion of light. Present both inside and outside, this material - often seen as cold due to its industrial origin - structures the spaces, dresses the interstices, and brings an undeniable touch of innovation.

Let us also highlight the presence of lighting fixtures and acoustic baffles, which follow one another and immerse passengers in a true world of light.

In addition to its role as a thoroughfare, this giant piece of infrastructure is freely accessible down to level –2.
The outdoor public space thus continues inside, accommodating a variety of shops and services, making the corresponding galleries perfect for strolling. The station is no longer a soulless place of transit and connection, but a fully fledged facility - naturally lit and ventilated - where several programmes coexist. It is a contemporary facility, as functional as it is aesthetic, endowed with numerous qualities that invite us to rethink how transport spaces can be innovated.

In this vast and highly precise undertaking, art is never far away. Thanks to the intervention of Chilean artist Iván Navarro, who transforms the circular ceiling of level -9 into a sky studded with neon lights and mirrors, passengers are offered a display of great sensitivity and an impressive visual experience. The artwork is defined by the names of celestial bodies engraved on the 58 light boxes that compose it.

Who would have thought one could experience a moment of pure enchantment inside a station?

All images: © Michel Denancé / Dominique Perrault Architecte / ADAGP