The Tour Perret in Grenoble, Europe's first reinforced concrete skyscraper, will reopen to the public on July 11, 2026, after being closed since the 1960s. Designed by Auguste Perret in 1925 for the International Exhibition of White Coal and Tourism, the 95-meter tower has undergone a complex restoration led by heritage architect François Botton, addressing water infiltration and corrosion while preserving its original character.
This reopening matters because the Tour Perret is a landmark of modern architecture, showcasing Perret's pioneering use of reinforced concrete that later defined his post-war reconstruction work, notably in Le Havre. Its revival after decades of technical and financial hurdles represents a significant cultural heritage event, restoring public access to a unique panoramic view of Grenoble and the Alps, and reaffirming the city's industrial modernist legacy.