On our voyage through the lifestyles and design of European countries, we recommend stopping at the Unité d'Habitation de Marseille conceived and planned by Swiss architect Le Corbusier.
This vertical city is also known by the name Cité Radieuse: a microcosmos bustling with colours, people and activity where shared spaces and experiences are a true driving force every day.
The plan was truly innovative for its time, carefully designed down to the tiniest details. Le Corbusier even had an aspirating hood installed above the cooker in all the kitchens – a truly uncommon appliance at the time, between 1945 and 1952 – and joined together the kitchen and living room.
This imposing building has now become a pilgrimage site for visitors from all over Europe, declared a Monument Historique in 1995.
So if you are planning on spending a few days in Marseilles, be sure to fit in a visit to the Cité Radieuse, and especially the roof garden, where you will find the exhibition space of French artist Ora-ïto.
For more information: www.fondationlecorbusier.fr