Riverside House: A Stylish Rental House Owned by An American in Normandy

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Jordan Feilders is the American who introduced California-style artisanal burger and taco trucks to Paris. He was newly arrived from San Francisco in 2012 when he rolled out his mobile catering business, Cantine California, which made such a splash that Anthony Bourdain paid an enthusiastic visit and The New York Times reported: “Food Trucks in Paris? U.S. Cuisine Finds Open Minds, and Mouths.” Cantine California continues, but Feilders and his French wife, Tatiana Dupond, the parents of two young girls, now divide their time between Paris and Normandy, where they’ve been fixing up a 19th century house and outbuildings situated along the Seine.

Now complete and just 100 kilometers from Paris, Riverside House is set up as a B&B for group (or pod) getaways and events: reservations are available for a minimum of four rooms and a maximum of seven. Feilders oversaw the remodel and likes to think of the results as California style in the French countryside. To us, it feels very Gallic—and appealing. Take a look.

Photography courtesy of Riverside House.

the brick and stone structure was built in \1883, and, over the years, used as 17 — Above: The brick-and-stone structure was built in 1883, and, over the years, used as a fishing lodge, thanks to its riverfront location, and, most recently, as a vacation house.

“It’s in a style known as maison bourgeouise,” explains Feilders, “My impression is the combination was for people moving their way up the economic ladder, who could afford a mix of stone (traditionally a more noble material in France) and brick (a more working-class option).” The century-old roof tiles are clay; Feilders installed new zinc gutters to match the originals.

in the courtyard, early \19th century outbuildings are the remains of a farm th 18 — Above: In the courtyard, early-19th century outbuildings are the remains of a farm that pre-dates the house. Newly shored up, this annex serves as extra guest quarters.

the terra cotta tiled entry opens to a living room with a wood burning stove an 19 — Above: The terra-cotta-tiled entry opens to a living room with a wood-burning stove and Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits on display. Feilders worked on the project with his friend Gilles Tombeur, a Paris-based interior architect, who designed Cantine California, the Paris restaurant (which Feilders opened thanks to the success of his food trucks, and sold last year to focus on catering). “At Riverside House, Gilles helped me with the layout and the technical renovation plans.”

A major first task was redoing the electricity and plumbing, and adding central heating and insulation: “Traditionally, French country houses are freezing,” says Feilders. “I had 30 centimeters of insulation added to all the ceilings.” He recruited a local crew: “masons, electrician, plumber, metal workers, all based within 30 kilometers of us.” And Feilders himself was on-site daily: ” I’d had hands-on renovation experience in Paris, plus a lifetime hobby of building forts in the woods.”