A Space-Age Salon: The Catroux Vision of 1970s Paris

Wrapped in white-on-white minimalism and kinetic sculpture, François and Betty Catroux’s Paris apartment in 1970 was a masterclass in space-age modernism. With smoky Perspex panels, geometric optical art, and curated African artefacts, the Quai de Béthune residence transformed heritage architecture into a futuristic stage. Betty, muse to Saint Laurent and icon of androgynous allure, embodied the era’s radical elegance. This was more than a home; it was a live-in installation, merging Op Art precision with sensual modernity. A visionary capsule of its time, reframing the future through the lens of design.