About 30 minutes from Paris is one of Le Corbusier's most famous buildings, Villa Savoye. It's situated on a beautiful field and the stark white structure is so striking against the green grassy meadow. Originally designed as a weekend country house in 1929, it still holds up incredibly well and looks fresh and modern as ever.
The house was emblematic of "The Five Points", Le Corbusier's aesthetic theory of architecture in reinforced concrete. It included the pilotis, the ground supporting columns, a flat roof terrace with a garden area, and horizontal windows to provide better illumination and ventilation.
The Savoyes lived in the house until 1940 and after that the Germans and Allies occupied it during WW II, but it was badly damaged. It was almost torn down but due to the support of architects and Le Corbusier, the house was saved and declared an historic landmark. It was fully restored between 1985 and1997.
I went on a gorgeous, crystal clear sunny day which showed off the sharp lines and unique angles of the house so beautifully.
Villa Savoye
82 rue de Villiers,
Poissy
Tel 01 39 65 01 06
Open Tuesday - Sunday, from 10am - 6pm, and from Nov. 2-Feb. 28 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm
Take RER A train to Poissy, then take bus # 50 towards La Coudraie and ask bus driver to stop at Villa Savoye
My friend Aarron sitting pretty in a classic Le Corbusier chaise
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook. First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte’s professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 3 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Thank you for this posting about Le Corbusier and the fact the home is so close to Paris. The photos quite good for getting a feel of the place. Would have like 2 or 3 more exteriors.
Posted by: Stef | September 30, 2009 at 04:16 PM
it is such an incredible house! when i come to paris in december i want you to take me there!
Posted by: elizabeth | October 03, 2009 at 10:41 AM
AMAZINGGGGGGGG!
Posted by: Laurence | October 05, 2009 at 11:43 AM
The photos are beautiful (with more sun) and the house looks amazing!
Posted by: Officiel | October 06, 2009 at 10:12 AM
I'm so glad you posted this, because this is one of the things I really wanted to do when I lived in Paris, but never actually made the time for.
Posted by: Sarah | October 23, 2009 at 11:18 PM