Le Corbusier

It is considered one of the most important works of the 20th century: the Notre-Dame-du-Haut Chapel in Ronchamp, France, designed by Le Corbusier. Since 2016, the building has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this year it celebrates its 70th anniversary.

To mark this occasion, the Messmer Art Gallery in Riegel is presenting a special addition to its current exhibition, "Le Corbusier – Visionary of Modernism." From October 25, 2025, the gallery will host a bilingual, interactive special exhibition dedicated exclusively to the chapel.

Learning from Le Corbusier
In several thematic modules, the exhibition illuminates key aspects of the building, from Le Corbusier's engagement with pilgrimage architecture and his early sources of inspiration, through the architectural tour, to the further development of the ensemble by Renzo Piano.

Experiencing Architecture
The exhibition guides visitors through the history of the chapel's creation and makes Le Corbusier's world of ideas vividly accessible. An interactive world map displays UNESCO World Heritage sites on every continent, while visitors can explore the materials Le Corbusier used through touch. A quiz with movable panels deepens knowledge about the architect, and a station invites visitors to create their own sketches of Ronchamp. The concept is designed for a broad audience and offers even younger visitors playful access to Le Corbusier's working methods. The result is a multifaceted picture of a building that continues to fascinate – not least because of its distinctive roof, whose shape was supposedly inspired by a crab shell found on the beach.