Villa La Roche Museum
Modernist Le Corbusier house museum in Paris
Villa La Roche in Paris is a Le Corbusier house‑museum in the 16th arrondissement, offering modernist architecture and rotating exhibitions; architects and design students tour for insights into early modern design.
Villa La Roche at a Glance#
Address: 10 Square du Dr Blanche, 75016 Paris, France
Website: https://www.fondationlecorbusier.fr
Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00am-6:00pm, closed Mondays
Admission: €9 (adult, Fondation Le Corbusier; prices may vary)
About Villa La Roche#
Villa La Roche is a modernist residence in Paris designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret in the 1920s for art collector Raoul La Roche. It now functions as the Fondation Le Corbusier and houses a permanent collection of the architect’s works and related exhibitions.
The composition comprises two interlocking volumes with a curved glass-walled salon, an interior ramp and a rooftop terrace that are frequently cited as key examples of Le Corbusier’s domestic architecture. Exhibition rooms display drawings, paintings, models and furniture illustrating his theories and built work.
The building is compact and visits typically focus on the circulation sequence, the curated collection and the way light and form are used in a Parisian urban lot. It is often visited together with other modernist landmarks in Paris.
Commissioned by Raoul La Roche in the early 1920s, the houses were executed by Le Corbusier and his cousin Pierre Jeanneret as an experimental urban residence and studio. Over time the complex became the core of the Fondation Le Corbusier, preserving and exhibiting Le Corbusier’s drawings, models and archives.
The villa sits in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, within the city rather than a separate town, and is accessible from central Paris by public transport.
- UNESCO listing: Included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing for The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier as an important example of his early residential architecture.
What to See#
- Maison La Roche and Maison Jeanneret: Two linked houses designed by Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret for collector Raoul La Roche, forming a single architectural composition with interlocking volumes and a distinctive curved glass salon.
- Exhibition rooms: Interior exhibition rooms that display paintings, drawings and models by Le Corbusier alongside original furnishings and architectural elements illustrating his early 20th century theories.
- Rooftop and ramp: A rooftop terrace and ramp sequence that demonstrate Le Corbusier’s approach to circulation, light and views within a small urban site.
How to Get to Villa La Roche#
Villa La Roche is in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, near the Porte de la Muette and the Trocadéro area. The nearest Métro stations include Jasmin (Line 9) and Rue de la Pompe (Line 9); several buses also serve the square du Dr Blanche area.
Tips for Visiting Villa La Roche#
- Purchase tickets on the Fondation Le Corbusier website for timed entry to the Villa La Roche and Villa Jeanneret if combined tickets are offered.
- Pay attention to the small built-in furnishings-Corbusier's storage solutions and bespoke furniture are as instructive as the façades.
- Photography is often restricted inside the house-ask staff about current policies before using a camera.
Best Time to Visit Villa La Roche#
Best visited spring through autumn; the Fondation is closed Mondays-plan weekdays or weekend visits accordingly.
Weather & Climate near Villa La Roche#
Villa La Roche's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (628 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 52 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.6h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 45 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.0h |
| March | Good | 4° - 12° | 5° | 48 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.5 m/s | 0.5 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 6° - 15° | 10° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 62 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.9 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.0h |
| June | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.8 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.8h |
| July | Excellent | 15° - 24° | 20° | 59 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 3.5 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.5h |
| August | Excellent | 15° - 25° | 20° | 41 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 3.3 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.1h |
| September | Very Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 9° - 16° | 12° | 56 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.7 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Acceptable | 5° - 10° | 5° | 51 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| December | Poor | 3° - 8° | 2° | 57 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |