Le Corbusier's cité Frugès, timelessly modern and back in fashion
Cité Frugès in Pessac is a rare example of this unique architect's work
This astonishing project is due to Henry Frugès, a Bordeaux industrialist and lover of modern architecture. His motivation was socially-minded: he wanted to provide everyone with housing, regardless of their financial situation. Fifty houses were built in 1929.
The architectural style was completely different from any other at the time. The strict geometric shapes, concrete treated with compressed air and left unfinished, panoramic terraces, and vibrant colours had little in common with the very traditional style of a city that reveres the Age of Enlightenment.
This caused an immediate scandal, and people thought Frugès was insane.
However, these houses were comfortable, and came equipped with running water, heating, and septic tanks.
La Cité Frugès is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That is a fine way of paying homage to an internationally renowned architect. The Le Corbusier Maison Municipale in Pessac welcomes architecture enthusiasts and interested tourists from Wednesday to Saturday.
Free guided tours of the Cité Frugès in French, to be booked at the Kiosque Culture et Tourisme (weekdays) at 05.57.93.65.40 and on weekends at the Maison Frugès at 05.56.36.56.46.
Opening hours
From October to March
from Wednesday to Saturday : 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm
Sunday : 2pm to 6pm
From April to September
from Wednesday to Saturday : 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 7pm
Sunday : 2pm to 7pm
Practical information
Free guided tours of the Cité Frugès in French, to be booked at the Kiosque Culture et Tourisme (weekdays) at 05.57.93.65.40 and on weekends at the Maison Frugès at 05.56.36.56.46.
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English, Spanish
4 rue Le Corbusier
33600 PESSAC
