France is home to some of the world's most stunning architectural masterpieces, and while many people are familiar with the flashy Bubble Palace perched above the Mediterranean, it's time to discover three extraordinary architect-designed villas that stand out for their boldness, understated beauty, and unique architectural history. These remarkable homes represent the perfect marriage of art and function, where every corner breathes pure genius and showcases the evolving face of French modernism.
The first gem is Maison Louis Carré, which brings Nordic elegance to the heart of the Île-de-France region. Located in Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, this exceptional house emerged from a collaboration between Louis Carré, an art dealer, and Alvar Aalto, the celebrated Finnish architect. Built between 1956 and 1959, the villa sits harmoniously on a rolling 3-hectare terrain, perfectly integrated into the landscape between small woods, gentle terrain lines, and meticulously planned gardens.
The house features a flat roof composed of blue Normandy slate, while the exterior echoes the local region through noble and local materials including white bricks, Chartres stone, copper, and especially wood (pine, oak, ash, and teak) that is omnipresent throughout the interior spaces. Maison Louis Carré creates an illusion – appearing small from a distance but becoming grandiose once you enter. Every detail was conceived by Alvar Aalto and his wife Elissa, from furniture and lighting to storage solutions, reflecting a comprehensive artistic vision. The house is open from March to November on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 PM to 6 PM, with guided tours every hour (last tour at 5 PM).
The second architectural marvel is Villa E-1027, which appears like a modern ship facing the Mediterranean. Perched on the coast of Cap-Martin and surrounded by classified gardens, this villa was designed between 1926 and 1929 by Eileen Gray for architect Jean Badovici. At first glance, visitors feel as though they're boarding a white ocean liner, with its geometric lines, metal staircases, and industrial railings that evoke maritime modernism. Yet the interior remains warm and welcoming, designed around large bay windows that flood the space with Mediterranean light.
The villa's name itself is a clever riddle: E for Eileen, 10 for J (Jean), 2 for B (Badovici), and 7 for G (Gray). Every element of the interior – furniture, lighting fixtures, and built-in features – bears Eileen Gray's signature design. After a period of abandonment, the villa underwent restoration starting in 2001 under the direction of the Coastal Conservatory and proudly reopened its doors in 2021. The villa is open from April 1 to November 2, 2025, with full tickets priced at 19 euros and reduced tickets at 10 euros.
The third stunning example is Villa Cavrois, known as the modern castle of northern France. Located in Croix, near Lille, this 60-meter-long villa transforms the face of classical architecture from the moment visitors discover it. Between 1929 and 1932, Robert Mallet-Stevens created a "total work of art" for Paul Cavrois, a textile industrialist. Initially entrusted to another architect, the project was later taken over by Mallet-Stevens, who brought his highly personal touch with a refined façade, terraced roofs, immense bay windows, and no superfluous ornamentation.
The villa showcases a festival of modernist materials including yellow ocher bricks, stone, refined marble (with varieties from Siena and the Pyrenees), metal, glass, oak, and walnut to enrich the interior. Even aluminum and stainless steel are used to create a warm yet resolutely contemporary atmosphere. The building was transformed into barracks during the war and abandoned in 1985, but was saved by the state, which entrusted its restoration to the Center for National Monuments starting in 2001. Since 2015, it has been open to the public in all its restored splendor, operating from January 2 to December 31, from 10 AM to 6 PM (closed on Mondays), with tickets starting at 11 euros.
These three architect-designed villas perfectly illustrate the changing face of modernism in France, standing at the crossroads of art, technology, and history. Whether it's the gentle curves of Maison Louis Carré, the radical strength of Villa Cavrois, or the luminous poetry of Villa E-1027, each tells the story of an era and a vision. For those seeking a different kind of weekend experience, these houses await visitors, ready to amaze and perhaps inspire. They represent a architectural heritage that deserves to be rediscovered, offering alternatives to the more famous but flashy monuments that typically capture tourist attention.
