The French Ministry of Culture has defended its support for a museum dedicated to the Swiss-French architect despite his links to the Vichy regime.
A Le Corbusier museum project has triggered controversy in France. Last week a group of intellectuals protested against this tributeExternal link to the famous architect. In an article in the Le Monde paper, nine signatories accused the Ministry of complicity in the rehabilitation of a man who was complicit of fascism and antisemitism.
On Monday, the French Ministry of Culture defended the “exceptional nature” of Le Corbusier’s work. It refused to comment on the accusations levelled against the architect preferring to leave it to historians to handle “the legitimate debate” on his complicity with the Vichy regime.
France, the ministry reiterated, had supported, with six other countries, the inscription of Le Corbusier’s work into the World Heritage List in 2016 even though such accusations revealed by several books had already been controversial in 2015.
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Le Corbusier’s works listed among UNESCO World Heritage sites
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UNESCO added the architectural works of Le CorbusierExternal link – buildings in Switzerland, France, India and Argentina, among others – at the 40th session of the body’s World Heritage Committee on Sunday. An image of Le Corbusier – his horn-rimmed glasses raised to his forehead – has adorned the Swiss ten-franc note since 1997. “A…
PFAS-contaminated meat still sold in eastern Switzerland
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Meat containing excessive levels of toxic PFAS "forever chemicals" produced by farms in canton St Gallen is still being sold.
Violations in Gaza by ‘both sides’ must be condemned, says Swiss minister
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Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has admitted that Israel is failing in its obligations by hindering humanitarian aid to Gaza.
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Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Switzerland are extremely pessimistic about ongoing geopolitical tensions and US President Donald Trump's tariff policy, according to a survey.
Swiss minister highlights Blatten ‘miracle’ at disaster reduction meeting
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The fact that only one person is missing after the huge glacier collapse that engulfed the Swiss mountain village of Blatten last week is "almost a miracle", according to Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
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The cantonal parliament of Vaud has approved a loan of CHF9.5 million ($11.5 million) for Château de Chillon, the most-visited monument in Switzerland.
Swiss party president Thierry Burkart to step down in October
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Thierry Burkart, president of the centre-right Radical-Liberal Party, wants to hand over the presidency in October, around two years before the next national elections.
Climate Alliance presents action plan on 20th anniversary
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The Swiss Climate Alliance has presented an action plan showing how Switzerland could make a success of the energy transition and achieve a net zero balance within ten years.
Swiss business group expects export slump after strong start to year
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The Swiss economy was still robust in the first quarter of 2025 but is coming under increasing pressure, says the Swiss business federation, economiesuisse.
Five arrested in Switzerland in human-trafficking raid
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Law enforcement authorities in Switzerland and Romania have busted a human trafficking ring. They arrested a total of 17 suspects.
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Le Corbusier: unravelling the myth
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The 50th anniversary of Le Corbusier's death has sparked a huge controversy in France about his relationship with the Vichy regime. Three new books cast a harsh light on this Franco-Swiss architect, while an exhibition at the Pompidou Centre turns a blind eye to his darker side.
Neuchâtel renames ‘Louis Agassiz Street’ over racism concerns
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The city has renamed the Espace Louis-Agassiz, a street in the university district, to distance itself from the famous Swiss-American glaciologist.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.