In Focus - Discover France: Experience the Best of France - page 745

Héros, Nancy's Place Stanislas, Strasbourg's Place de la République, and Paris'
most famous street, the Champs-Élysées. The era also inspired many of Paris'
best-known buildings, including the Arc de Triomphe.
The late 19th century in France was a time of artistic experimentation and indus-
trial innovation. Belle époque architects combined iron, brick, glass and ceramics in
exciting new ways, and even the most mundane structures - from covered markets
and town halls to swimming pools and metro stations - acquired a dash of class.
Modern Architecture
After the ravages of WWII, French architects were given free reign to reinvent the
nation's shattered cities. Some favoured a brutally functional style of architecture,
while others adopted a more playful approach. France's most celebrated architect,
Le Corbusier (1887-1965), rewrote the architectural textbook during the 1950s with
his sweeping lines and sinuous forms.
The French tendency for experimentation has continued throughout the modern
era. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed the construction of many exciting buildings,
including IM Pei's glass pyramid at the Louvre, the Grande Arche in the skyscraper
district of La Défense and the world's first ever 'inside-out' building, Paris' Centre
Pompidou.
France continues to be an exciting playground for modern architects: Frank
Gehry, Norman Foster and Jean Nouvel are all currently working on new French
buildings due for completion by 2015.