The Parador
This building is typical of the Couchant neighbourhood, which was erected in the 70s. Le Couchant, built after Le Levant, displays a very different style of architecture.
Pyramids inspired by those of Teotihuacan are not to be found here; instead, the buildings are low and rounded on all sides, shaped like Venus shells or bishops' hats. These roly-poly buildings flawlessly blend into the architectural landscape of La Grande Motte. Later developers have adhered to the templates and architectural themes imposed by Jean Balladur. The geometrically-shaped façades are present here too, just like in Le Levant; these moulds are an essential part of the character of La Grande Motte.
Curves on the feminine side... The symbolism here is fairly obvious. No doubt Jean Balladur wanted to evoke a woman's shape, all softness and curves, through these rounded buildings, in direct contrast to their opposite, the more imposing buildings of Le Levant, the masculine neighbourhood, representing the masculine force.
Because of its soft architecture, the Couchant district has a more intimate feel than the Levant. You stroll along, led by the winding curves and little paths that take you zigzagging through the buildings, the miniature squares and public gardens - or are they private? It's hard to tell - and all the time, you're just a stone's throw from the sea, the beaches... This verdant pedestrian area reflects Jean Balladur and his team's generosity with green spaces.
Here's the proof: green spaces cover 70% of the city! And because the buildings offer protection from the wind, the vegetation grows bountiful and lush. Green spaces were indeed always an integral part of this architectural project.
"This is a plant-based type of urbanism, which features not only a hierarchy of building types but also a hierarchy in terms of areas and roads. And the vegetation has its place in this hierarchy.
Pierre Pillet, the Balladur team's landscape architect, participated in the creation and development of La Grande Motte's green spaces.
There were a great many green spaces and we worked in bulk, with a palette of the most robust types of vegetation, the most suited to this environment. We were going for more of a park-city than a garden-city. The other great strength, perhaps even the key to the success of the city - which stands on flat land - was the whole network of pedestrian zones set completely apart from the roadways. As you stroll around, you gradually discover an entire web of paths that spans the whole resort, allowing you to go from a northern position in the city right down to the sea, without ever leaving the pedestrian zone, without ever having to cross a street, and you're passing through green spaces all the way! "
This clever mix of greenery and construction is what makes life so easy and pleasant at La Grande Motte, especially for pedestrians and cyclists!