La Grande-Motte, Montpellier

The GuardianAug 27

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 My dream holiday is a trip back in time. Not to see the results of seismic Pompeii or 15th-century Machu Picchu – although I love both – but somewhere created specifically…

Retro futurist resort town built in the 60s and 70s.

12 things in this story

La Grande-MotteNeighborhoodRetro futurist resort town built in the 60s and 70s.
Incas buildingSightApartment building with Mayan pyramid inspiration.
Point ZéroNeighborhoodMain beach area, site of earliest construction.
Joséphine ChevryPlaceArtist who created concrete sculptures on the beach.
Simon Porte JacquemusPlaceFashion designer who created a homage collection.
Hotel Le QuetzalHotelFabulously vintage three-star hotel, refurbished.
L’Atelier de la PizzaRestaurantNearby pizza place for margherita meals.
L’innatenduRestaurantBienvenue à L'inattendu, votre restaurant méditerranéen au c&oelig;ur de La Grande-Motte.
La Guinguette des AlizésRestaurantServes simple marinated skewers.
Saint-Augustin’s churchSightElegant white bow-shaped church.
Big PyramidSightApartment complex facing the yachts on the dock.
Le CouchantNeighborhood

Read the full piece at The Guardian →

La Grande-Motte

In the coverage1 story

Architourism in France: the retro futurist seaside town near Montpellier that’s out of this world