Grenoble's Tour Perret, Europe's first concrete skyscraper, reopens after 60 years

The Tour Perret in Grenoble, Europe's first reinforced concrete skyscraper, will reopen to the public on July 11, 2026, after a major restoration led by heritage architect François Botton. Closed since the 1960s due to water infiltration and corrosion, the 95-meter tower was designed by Auguste Perret for the 1925 International Exhibition of White Coal and Tourism, commissioned by mayor Paul Mistral. The restoration, supported by the City of Grenoble, the French State, and the Isère Department, aimed to preserve the original logic of the work rather than make it look new. Visitors will again access the belvedere for panoramic views of Grenoble, the Alps, and the valley. The tower is considered a pioneering example of reinforced concrete construction and a symbol of industrial modernity.