The Familistère of Guise

The community in Guise was built according to the utopian socialist ideal. The industrialist Jean-Baptiste André Godin started its construction in 1859 to provide housing for the workers of his cast-iron stove factory. But he had his sights set on more than just shelter. Godin was inspired by the ideas of the socialist philosopher Charles Fourier and his principle that people can best help themselves and society when they do what they are good at and what makes them happy. With his Familistère, Godin wanted to provide his workers with the comfort and outlets that only the wealthy bourgeoisie usually enjoyed. So not just a warm bed, but also luxury to develop themselves – mentally and physically. They could do this in a luxurious swimming pool, a theater, community gardens, and a library. They could play football in the central courtyard of each of the three residential blocks, which are covered by a gigantic glass dome. Or read a book in one of the 550 light-filled apartments with running water, a garbage chute, a toilet, and a heater, of course. Meanwhile, they worked in the factory, but not as mindless cogs. Workers – both men and women – were equal and had a say and profit-sharing. Their children attended classes in the associated school, as Godin did not allow child labor.

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