14 February 2021 | Tourism
La Cité Radieuse in Marseille, designed by Le Corbusier
The housing unit
After the Second World War more social housing was needed. In the 1920's, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris invented the concept of "housing unit". He used the name Le Corbusier as a pseudonym. He imagined a place that would bring together all the necessities for a family in community life. An environemnt with a school, nursery, small shops, swimming pool and a library. In France there are 5 examples of its concept. La Cité Radieuse in Marseille is one of them. It was also called the "House of the Fada".
The house of the fada
Le Corbusier built the Cité Radieuse between 1947 and 1952 in Marseille, in the south of France. Today you can visit the Cité Radieuse at 280 boulevard Michelet in Marseille, in the 8th district in the "Saint-Anne" borough. Its construction is so different from the usual buildings in Marseille, that it was quickly nicknamed by the people of Marseille "La Maison du fada" (Fada means crazy). Also this architectural unit is like a vertical village with 337 apartments with interior streets and a 21 roomed hotel. A gymnasium is situated on the roof along with a communal swimming pool.
In 2013, the gymnasium became an exhibition venue; The MaMo (Marseille Modulator), an artistic foundation set up by Ora-ïto, a French designer. La Cité Radieuse has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2016.
Hotel Le Corbusier
La Cité Radieuse has a 21-room hotel. You can book a single or a deluxe double room.
The rooms have a view of the sea and the Frioul Islands or a view of Marseille. They are furnished with refined minimalism. Not to mention the magnificent panoramic views from the rooftop.
Visit their website for more information: https://www.hotellecorbusier.com/en It also has a gourmet restaurant, Le Ventre de l'Achitecte.
Its design is worth the detour as much as its cuisine. Selected pieces of furniture include Charlotte Perriand tables. Charlotte Perriand is a French architect and a designer who worked with Le Corbusier. This design is not just a pleasure for the eyes like in a museum but it is a real sensory experience. An immersion and a opportunity to discover Le Corbusier.
During a stay in one of our seasonal rentals on the Côte d'Azur, do not hesitate to visit the Cité Radieuse and maybe stay a night in its hotel and enjoy its restaurant.
