A little-known monument, Grenoble's Perret Tower is being restored to mark its centenary and the 150th anniversary of the birth of its creator, Auguste Perret. The reinforced concrete building is due to open its doors to the public in 2026. A good opportunity to reflect on the history and future of this Isère vertical.

The work of avant-garde architect Auguste Perret

Passionate about new materials, Auguste Perret created lightweight structures and new forms, working with his brothers Gustave and Claude in the family firm Perret frères. Above all, he used reinforced concrete, which was solid, easy to use, economical and fast. In addition to the building in the capital of the Alps, his other achievements include the tower block in Amiens, the church in Raincy and, above all, the reconstruction of downtown Le Havre.

Flagship of the International White Coal and Tourism Exhibition

In 1925, Grenoble hosted this event, which promoted hydroelectricity, among other things. On a former military site, the famous 90-metre-high reinforced concrete tower was erected, the tallest of its kind at the time. Designed as a belvedere, the monument offers visitors a view of the Belledonne, Vercors and Chartreuse ranges from its summit. Closed to the public in 1960, the Perret Tower included two elevators and a 550-step staircase leading to a platform 60 meters above ground.  

Concrete lace

A flagship material of the ^twentieth century, concrete is used here to create a slender silhouette, supported by eight pillars clad in openwork walls that let in light and feature shapes reminiscent of scales. This is a real source of local pride, as it was in the Grenoble region that Louis Vicat invented the famous concrete, also known as "white gold".

A new visitor experience

Scheduled to open in 2026, the building will see its original elevators renovated, with historic cabins, modernized drives and the addition of safety features such as a translucent lattice structure. Visitors will be able to choose between a family tour, an exploration via the staircase or, for the more adventurous, a sporting performance.  

A path at the foot of the tower

For those who don't want to leave terra firma behind, a walk on the ground will tell you more about the history of the famous tower. Visitors can discover "interpretation stations" and "artistic objects" in fiber-reinforced concrete, evoking the evolution of the material and the aesthetics of the building, designed by Lyon-based agency Trafik. A monumental playground echoing the 1925 International Exhibition will also be featured.

TOUR PERRET
PARC PAUL-MISTRAL
BOULEVARD JEAN-PAIN, GRENOBLE

fondation-patrimoine.org/les-projets/tour-perret-de-grenoble/79576