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](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-1b-733x977.jpg)
“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](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-12-733x489.jpg)
![the terra cotta tiled entry opens to a living room with a wood burning stove an 19](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-4a-733x977.jpg)
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.”
![fielders replaced an inefficient \1960s fireplace with a french invicta stove: 20](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-4b-733x489.jpg)
![the house had been last occupied in the \1970s and was left furnished. feilders 21](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-5a-733x977.jpg)
![a painting by caroline denervaud hangs over another am.pm sofa. 22](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-5b-733x977.jpg)
![the dining room has a scandinavian vibe. 23](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-6a-733x977.jpg)
![dupond, feilders, and their daughter, penelope. on request, the couple provide 24](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-6b-733x977.jpg)
![feilders had the dining table made from leftover pine used for cabinets and hea 25](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-8-733x977.jpg)
![the kitchen is a combination of ikea and custom—and perhaps does have a 26](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-9-733x489.jpg)
![oak display shelves divide the dining area from the kitchen. the oak fronted ik 27](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-10-733x977.jpg)
![a detail of the shelf/partition. 28](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-11-733x977.jpg)
![one of the four bedrooms in the main house (there are also three bedrooms in th 29](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-guest-room-main-house-733x978.jpg)
![feilders installed seven new bathrooms in the house and annex, no two exactly a 30](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-19-733x977.jpg)
![the annex has a farmhouse vibe. to create this suite, feilders had the attic fl 31](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-15-733x977.jpg)
![a rattan headboard and porcelain and brass sconce from zangra. 32](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-16-733x977.jpg)
![italian terrazzo tiles from palatino paired with an original sink and paneled d 33](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-17-733x977.jpg)
![a built in window bench with a view. 34](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-21-733x977.jpg)
![the seine runs through the property and there are walking paths along the river 35](https://media.remodelista.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/riverside-house-normandy-jordan-feilders-22-733x489.jpg)
In need of an escape? Browse our Rental House archive for more ideas, including:
Greatest Hits: 37 Top Rental Houses Featured on Remodelista
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on April 1, 2019.
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