Cité Radieuse Le Corbusier
Cité Radieuse Le Corbusier
Cité Radieuse Le Corbusier
4.5
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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4.5
932 reviews
Excellent
477
Very good
306
Average
104
Poor
26
Terrible
19
Graf Stift
7 contributions
Aug 2020
Many people give this building 5 stars, but let's talk about something else:
Horrible personel (especially the "guards" or "receptionists) who like to shout at people, people at some "exhibition" who ignore you and nobody who talks another language then French. The building itself is poorly maintained and has a lot of vacant stores (the concept didn't really work out...). Even more horrible then the employees is the fact that a lot of areas are closed off: "montee interdite, no access" and a lot of windows are sealed off.
Even more horrible then the employees is the fact that a lot of areas are closed off: "montee interdite, no access". It is sad to conclude that this architectural monument is run by a couple of clowns. It is not worth to search for this, go to another city where they also have the same building.
The site is badly accesible and online it is even harder to find out how to get a tourguide (which is mostly in French). They do not accept groups larger then 5 people.
Horrible personel (especially the "guards" or "receptionists) who like to shout at people, people at some "exhibition" who ignore you and nobody who talks another language then French. The building itself is poorly maintained and has a lot of vacant stores (the concept didn't really work out...). Even more horrible then the employees is the fact that a lot of areas are closed off: "montee interdite, no access" and a lot of windows are sealed off.
Even more horrible then the employees is the fact that a lot of areas are closed off: "montee interdite, no access". It is sad to conclude that this architectural monument is run by a couple of clowns. It is not worth to search for this, go to another city where they also have the same building.
The site is badly accesible and online it is even harder to find out how to get a tourguide (which is mostly in French). They do not accept groups larger then 5 people.
Written 7 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carly
Seattle, WA4 contributions
Dec 2021
Was allowed to go up in the building and explore the spaces freely. There's a great little bookshop on the upper floors, in addition to a bunch of little design studios and a restaurant that wasn't open when I was there. I love that there is a children's daycare and play space within the building. Such a cool concept to have everything in one place.
Written 7 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChristopheDM
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg87 contributions
Apr 2023
We did the tour on 13 April 2023 in the afternoon. The guide was very enthusiastic and very good . It's worth booking the tour instead of walking around the building yourself. With the tour, you can visit an apartment, which is surely a plus. We did the tour with our kids (10 and 12), for them it was a bit too long. For us it was just about right (also thanks to the excellent guide).
Written 20 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Foodange
Manchester, UK4,097 contributions
Jun 2024 • Couples
There were 20 of us on the 2pm tour, in French.
Lasted nearly 2 hours, inside and out.
Concept and history well explained by expert guide.
Visited one of the preserved rooms, supposedly for 4 people!
Went on roof, past the (expensive) hotel and visited other areas.
Time passed quickly and learnt a lot to add to our visit to Roquebrune.
The experiment of a ‘town’ hasn’t really worked but it’s a fascinating building.
Lasted nearly 2 hours, inside and out.
Concept and history well explained by expert guide.
Visited one of the preserved rooms, supposedly for 4 people!
Went on roof, past the (expensive) hotel and visited other areas.
Time passed quickly and learnt a lot to add to our visit to Roquebrune.
The experiment of a ‘town’ hasn’t really worked but it’s a fascinating building.
Written 2 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
696stan12345
Prague, Czech Republic10 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We stayed at the hotel on the 3rd floor. And it was an experience. The personal was very kind. You can enjoy drinks on the balcony. You can wonder around this incredible building. You can visit a rooftop terasse which special experience itself. For short stay it is exciting to be THERE.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will T
1 contribution
Jun 2017 • Friends
We parked our rental car for 15 minutes in the public car park by the Unite D'habitation a week ago, June 2017. Everything locked in the boot, nothing visible, car locked. We returned to find the back window smashed and everything stolen from the boot -
all our bags, passports, the lot. Apparently this happens all the time (according to the security guard in the building). Don't make the same mistake we did ! Be very careful. The car had Europcar stickers on it so not too conspicuous but there are thieves targeting the carpark clearly, so be careful parking there.
all our bags, passports, the lot. Apparently this happens all the time (according to the security guard in the building). Don't make the same mistake we did ! Be very careful. The car had Europcar stickers on it so not too conspicuous but there are thieves targeting the carpark clearly, so be careful parking there.
Written 11 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda C
Taranaki, New Zealand8 contributions
Jun 2012 • Friends
Enjoyable visit to this iconic Le Corbusier building, after hearing so much about it !
Progressive and thought driven design; and it was interesting to see how it is now 60 odd years after it was built. We enjoyed getting a picture of how he intended city living to be.
And the view from the roof is spectacular!
10mins from town, bus 21 from Vieux Port (outside Monoprix) which goes very frequently :)
Progressive and thought driven design; and it was interesting to see how it is now 60 odd years after it was built. We enjoyed getting a picture of how he intended city living to be.
And the view from the roof is spectacular!
10mins from town, bus 21 from Vieux Port (outside Monoprix) which goes very frequently :)
Written 16 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J1364QVpeterb
Amsterdam, The Netherlands5 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
I planned to have lunch, but only could get a drink. When I wanted to pay they did tell me in a very rude way that credit cards were not accepted below the 20 euro. But I was allowed to pay 10 euro by card for the 2 coffee. What a shamefull treat by this restaurant. They really were very rude and aggressive and when I told them that would review them badly they even threatend with legal action. They should forbid people like this to work in restaurants. I feel more welcome in a average McDonalds.
Written 28 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
oxnard
Oakland, CA50 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
The two-hour tour (10 euros) of Cite Radieuse offered by the Marseille Office of Tourism is top-notch. At least in the summer, these tours are in great demand, so book at least a few days ahead. We had to wait 3 days. You can book on-line at http://www.marseille-tourisme.com/en/actualites/detail/article/Le%20Corbusier%27s%20Unité%20d%27Habitation%20special%20%21/. In August 2014, English tours are offered Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. (Today, our guide provided her commentary in each language, as the group included both French and English speakers). Our guide was knowledgeable and charming, recounting how the building was a shock when it opened in 1952, being affectionately known as "la maison du fada" (the crackpot's house). She presented: engineering and design features, the history of the construction (1947-52) amid postwar stresses and Le Corbusier's philosophy, which was key to his design. I felt honored to see in person this landmark that I learned about in a college art history class, but I also felt worried about the building's future. As others have pointed out, the building is in need of expensive maintenance. We were told that the owners and renters (there are both) who have apartment at the Cité Radieuse today are passionate advocates for the building. And the building is a survivor, having survived a fire in a portion of the building in 2012.
Written 8 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rita D
London25 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
The Unité d’Habitation is a very significant landmark in the development of Europe’s provision of social housing. It is an inspiring building, conceived and carried through by a multi-talented Swiss, Charles-Edouard Jeanneret-Gris, known as ‘Le Corbusier’. So we are immensely pleased to have been able to see and look around it. Like its counterpart in Berlin, it is testament to the architectural skills, social vision and focused commitment of an already very successful and renowned architect who, after the Second World War, offered his talents for the benefit of his fellow Europeans to a number of states that were struggling to provide affordable homes for their citizens.
As any European in their seventies or older will remember, Europe was devastated by the end of World War 2. Millions had been made homeless by the warfare, and lived in considerable poverty; families were split; people lived in a fractured world, still reeling from the war years. The need for affordable housing in urban areas was at an unprecedented high. Governments across Europe searched for architects who could efficiently house large numbers of people in well-designed homes, to be built at affordable prices.
Even before the Second World War, Le Corbusier had envisaged such housing: large blocks, made of rough-cast concrete (which apparently was the least-costly building material in post-war Europe), designed on legs to appear almost to be floating, using colour to enrich their elevations, in gardens with space set aside for cars to be parked. The apartments were to be affordable to ordinary people, each block intended to function as a town — including well-designed homes, communal spaces, shops, restaurants, etc. The intention was that the design would encourage people in the apartments to come together as a community — organising collective activities, forming friendships, socialising, and taking part in the decision-making of the running of their block.
The Unité d’Habitation was commissioned just two years after the end of the war, and completed in 1952. Even now, 60 years on, much of its original provision remains — a children’s nursery, shops, hotel, restaurant, roofspace, gardens. And while we visited there was warming evidence that members of the community (including children) are currently working together to develop a composting system suitable for the inhabitants. So, the community spirit, which was such an essential element of Le Cobusier’s vision, is still alive.
We have visited both this block and its counterpart in Berlin, and found them thoroughly inspiring. The size and style may not be to be our taste. But when you wander around these buildings you can feel the effort that went into their conception and intention to provide, under the most demanding of situations, decent homes for ordinary people.
It is easy to blame Le Corbusier for the fact that, for decades afterwards, these two blocks influenced widespread inferior urban housing across Europe. But these more recent large blocks invariably lack both his architectural vision and skills, together with his social vision, and commitment to solving serious problems in industrial urban environments in a human way. Le Corbusier’s buildings remind us that affordable habitation can be created with a proper regard for humanity.
As any European in their seventies or older will remember, Europe was devastated by the end of World War 2. Millions had been made homeless by the warfare, and lived in considerable poverty; families were split; people lived in a fractured world, still reeling from the war years. The need for affordable housing in urban areas was at an unprecedented high. Governments across Europe searched for architects who could efficiently house large numbers of people in well-designed homes, to be built at affordable prices.
Even before the Second World War, Le Corbusier had envisaged such housing: large blocks, made of rough-cast concrete (which apparently was the least-costly building material in post-war Europe), designed on legs to appear almost to be floating, using colour to enrich their elevations, in gardens with space set aside for cars to be parked. The apartments were to be affordable to ordinary people, each block intended to function as a town — including well-designed homes, communal spaces, shops, restaurants, etc. The intention was that the design would encourage people in the apartments to come together as a community — organising collective activities, forming friendships, socialising, and taking part in the decision-making of the running of their block.
The Unité d’Habitation was commissioned just two years after the end of the war, and completed in 1952. Even now, 60 years on, much of its original provision remains — a children’s nursery, shops, hotel, restaurant, roofspace, gardens. And while we visited there was warming evidence that members of the community (including children) are currently working together to develop a composting system suitable for the inhabitants. So, the community spirit, which was such an essential element of Le Cobusier’s vision, is still alive.
We have visited both this block and its counterpart in Berlin, and found them thoroughly inspiring. The size and style may not be to be our taste. But when you wander around these buildings you can feel the effort that went into their conception and intention to provide, under the most demanding of situations, decent homes for ordinary people.
It is easy to blame Le Corbusier for the fact that, for decades afterwards, these two blocks influenced widespread inferior urban housing across Europe. But these more recent large blocks invariably lack both his architectural vision and skills, together with his social vision, and commitment to solving serious problems in industrial urban environments in a human way. Le Corbusier’s buildings remind us that affordable habitation can be created with a proper regard for humanity.
Written 27 January 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are in a cruise stopping in Marseilles on a Sunday (Sept 2022). We are trying to find a Tour or a Tour Guide in English for the Cite Radieuse Le Corbusier.
Written 9 September 2022
Ho letto sul sito del turismo di Marsiglia che nelle visite guidate non sono ammessi i passeggini. Noi abbiamo una bimba di 8 mesi e dunque passeggino al seguito. Vale solo per la visita guidata o il resto si può visitare liberamente col passeggino?
Written 10 March 2019
Non credo che il passeggino crei problemi. Dovrete prendere degli ascensori, ma sono grandi e il passeggino c'entra, eccome.
Written 10 March 2019
per prenotare la visita nell’appartamento tipo come si può fare? Il sito internet della unitè d’habitation non funziona. Qualcuno ha una email a cui inviare una richiesta ?
Written 2 March 2019
Si. È possibile prenotare e pagare la visita guidata on line. A me è capitata una guida molto preparata .si visita sia un appartamento che i luoghi comuni dell' edificio compreso il tetto. Molto interessante. Devi cercare sul sito dell'ufficio del turismo di Marsiglia.
Written 3 March 2019
Where should you park your car if you would like to awoid having someone Breaking into your car White visiting le Corbusier?
Written 13 July 2018
We parked near the building in the street ( in the inner part of the boulevard). We spent the night there and nothing happened. If you spend the night in the hotel you can park in the area of le Corbusier which is connected to the street (there is no gate or bar)
Written 16 July 2018
Per poter visitare un appartamento tipologico di questa straordinaria opera, c'è bisogno di prenotarsi da qualche parte? oppure arrivando lì è permesso poterlo visitare?
Written 26 June 2018
C'è la possibilità di una visita guidata prenotandosi presso il sito della città di Marsiglia. Si visita, fra le altre cosa, anche un appartamento tipo
Written 28 June 2018
Hay alguna posibilidad de visitar la Cite Radieuse los domingos?
Written 3 May 2017
It is actually a hotel with shops and museum, so It is open everyday.
Opening hours of the museum (MAMO) is Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 6pm
Remember to go to the roof and enjoy the nice view there.
Written 12 May 2017
is there a entry fee. what are the timings
i arrive on the 12th march in the morning and leave the city in the afternoon
Written 5 March 2017
It is free and open. It's a building that people live and work in. Go to the entrance underneath the centre of the building and sign the visitor book. You can go to floors 3, 4 and the roof.
Written 5 March 2017
Bonjour, j'aimerais visiter la cité Radieuse, où dois je m'adresser pour avoir un guide, et peut on la visiter n'importe quand?
Written 10 October 2016
bonjour
En fait il faut vous inscrire auprès de l'office de tourisme de Marseille. Vous pouvez la visiter avec un guide.
C'est assez facile, je crois que le tarif est de 10 €
Vous ne regretterez pas
Written 11 October 2016
Hi
We'd love to do the full tour but aren't there on the Saturday when the English language one is done (and we don't speak French - certainty not architect-level anyway!).
Is it worth going on the French Language tour even though we wont understand it (e.g just to see the show flat)? Or will we see almost as much if we just wander around unaccompanied?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Written 29 August 2016
Sorry can not help you with this. I was underwhelmed with the buildings.
Written 31 August 2016
To look around without a guide do you have to pay?
Written 3 June 2016
No, I don't think that you have to pay. I didn't test this myself, because I waited for the guide. There are security men in the lobby but I'm pretty sure that the roof, and the communal shopping floor (most of the shops are now gone, but the concept remains), are public spaces. You'll easily get to see a "street view" of a floor hallway too. But in my opinion the 10 euro fee for a 2 hour tour was well worth it, because you get taken into a show-flat, and the guide is very informative.
Written 4 June 2016
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