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Architourism in France: the retro futurist seaside town near Montpellier that’s out of this world
Built in the 60s and 70s to curb a holiday exodus to Spain, with apartments inspired by Mayan pyramids and featuring ‘intergalactic curves’, La Grande-Motte is having another moment in the sun with fans of modern architecture
TL;DR
- La Grande-Motte was created in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a new beach resort town in southern France.
- The town's architecture, designed by Jean Balladur, draws inspiration from ancient temples and modernist visions of the future, featuring pyramid shapes and curved buildings.
- Urban planning prioritized pedestrian and cycle routes, with no rectangular blocks and few right angles visible.
- The town, initially seen as 'gauche,' is now experiencing a renaissance, attracting visitors interested in its unique retro-futurist design.
- Notable features include concrete sculptures by Joséphine Chevry and the solar-powered Ferris wheel at Point Zéro.