What Is the Name of This Book? question

I remember reading this book years ago, and I can't remember the author or the name of the book. I remember that the author was French. Here's what I remember from the book (though not exactly like this, but similar to this):

"The windows were located in the attic. Some of these windows were a door to the light of the stars. Downstairs, secrets were hidden behind iron bars. The air filtered through the iron bars gave life to this place. The kitchen was downstairs. It was divided into three, its most valuable treasure was in the center."
It was something like that, csn u help me please? Thank you