“Lost in the dunes, a masterpiece awaits.” That’s the best way to describe Villa Palmyre, also known as Villa Le Sextant. Here in Les Mathes, La Palmyre, stands a testament to architectural genius. Villa Palmyre, designed by Le Corbusier in 1935, whispers tales of friendship, ingenuity, and a touch of Russian intrigue. Albin Peyron, a friend of Le Corbusier and the man behind Paris’s Cité du Refuge, commissioned this seaside escape. The connection deepened through family ties. Peyron’s sister, Johanne, married into the Molostov family, the Russian prince who owned the land surrounding Villa Palmyre. Imagine Le Corbusier, working from afar due to budget constraints, meticulously crafting plans for a simple yet elegant holiday home. He envisioned load-bearing walls, a fibro-cement roof, and locally sourced materials. The back of Villa Palmyre faces the street, a unique design choice that adds to its charm. The story of Villa Palmyre isn’t just about its design, but also its construction. Albin Peyron, a meticulous client, provided Le Corbusier with drawings and detailed descriptions of his desires. He insisted on a local builder, simple materials, and a design that offered winter warmth, a gentle staircase, and simple window frames. He even specified room arrangements. Bheran, the builder responsible for the nearby “Villa Russe,” took on the task. The collaboration between architect and builder blossomed through detailed letters discussing technical intricacies. Peyron himself visited the site regularly, relaying updates to Le Corbusier’s cousin, Pierre Jeanneret, who oversaw the project. Peyron even sourced the roller shutters for Villa Palmyre’s impressive 5-meter-high windows from the Paris Fair. Villa Palmyre, born from a unique friendship and constructed with local craftsmanship, stands as a tribute to a time when architecture was a conversation, a collaboration, and a testament to individual vision.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.