by Diego Miró, Guest Contributor

Built from 1929 to 1930
By French/Swiss architect Le Corbusier

The Villa Sovoye is about a 30-minute train ride from the city center and a 20-minute walk up to the estate from the train station in Poissy. There is also an option to take a bus, but the walk is quite enjoyable.

Upon entry to the estate, make sure you don’t overlook the small house to the right, the house of the groundskeeper, designed to mirror the style of the Villa, but at a smaller scale.


You will continue down a tunnel of incredible trees, that will open up to the main yard. Here, you will find the glistening Villa Savoye, which even almost a century later, still seems like a spaceship that has landed on the open field.
In the words of Le Corbusier, “The house sits on the grass like an object, without disturbing anything.”

Built from 1929 to 1930 By French/Swiss architect Le Corbusier


The white walls and strip windows create a clean frame for the luscious greens that engulf the home. Le Corbusier’s intention was clearly to control the environment by showcasing it through the window and doorway placement.

The heart of the house is a winding staircase that reaches the top deck, which offers a nice view. The house was designed for a social family, including a guest room and a big kitchen.


The experience of the visit was very special. Since it’s a little out of the way of all the other Paris attractions, it was was evident that all the people visiting Le Villa Savoye truly wanted to be there. All the visitors were quiet and respectful, photographing and sketching the building with great joy. This behavior was rewarded with full access to every part of the house without an security.

I often found myself alone in the rooms, allowing me to truly take in the spaces and design, without the distraction of a security guard or a crowd.

All in all, it is worth the trip, especially for someone who loves architecture.

About the author: Diego Miró is an artist, student and travel enthusiast and a main supporter of lifeviarosa. He is currently traveling through Europe by train, and will be contributing his experience to this site.

Practical Information:

website: http://www.villa-savoye.fr

By Train: Line A to station Poissy then bus 50 to “La Coudraie”, stop “Villa Savoye”