The Principality paid tribute yesterday to one of the giants of modern architecture with the inauguration of the exhibition Le Corbusier at Cap-Martin…
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II led the commemoration, marking the 60th anniversary of Le Corbusier’s death and the 50th anniversary of the Conservatoire du Littoral.
The Cap-Martin site, overlooking the Mediterranean, holds a unique place in Le Corbusier’s legacy. It was here that he sought rest and inspiration, building his famed Cabanon in 1952 after his friendship with Thomas Rebutato, owner of the nearby Étoile de Mer restaurant. Unlike the monumental concrete works he created for others, the Cabanon is a humble wooden structure—compact, intimate, and a personal retreat. In 1954, he added a small workshop facing the sea, and by 1957, he designed several camping units for his friend, reflecting an ideal of simplicity and closeness to nature.
Yesterday’s event highlighted not only the cultural importance of Le Corbusier’s work but also the environmental significance of the site. Representatives of the Conservatoire du Littoral stressed the dual mission of protecting both biodiversity and heritage on this one-hectare coastal plot, considered one of the most emblematic in their portfolio. The area is internationally renowned both for its modernist architecture and its ecological richness, hosting rare species that require ongoing conservation.
The day concluded with visits to the Cabanon and Eileen Gray’s nearby Villa E-1027, underscoring the creative dialogue between two great modernists. The exhibition brings together memory, architecture, and environmental stewardship, celebrating a Mediterranean treasure where art and nature are inseparable.
Images: Fondation Le Corbusier and Monaco Info
