Perret tower, Observation tower in Paul Mistral Park, Grenoble, France.
Perret tower is an observation tower made of reinforced concrete located in Grenoble's Paul Mistral Park. The structure stands on eight solid pillars with a circular viewing platform positioned at approximately 60 meters above ground.
The tower opened in 1925 as part of the International Exhibition of Hydropower and Tourism, marking a turning point for concrete construction in Europe. Its design introduced new standards for using reinforced concrete in monumental structures at that time.
The construction represents a significant advancement in architectural methods as the first reinforced concrete tower built in Europe during the 1920s.
Access to the viewing platform is provided by two elevators or a spiral staircase that both lead to the terrace. Visitors should plan time for going up and down, as visibility depends on weather conditions.
The prefabricated concrete elements used during construction came from the church of Notre-Dame du Raincy, showing early examples of material reuse in architecture. This recycling approach was uncommon in the building industry at that time.
Location: Grenoble
Inception: May 4, 1925
Architects: Auguste Perret
Official opening: September 6, 1925
Elevators: 2
Height: 95 m
Made from material: reinforced concrete
GPS coordinates: 45.18472,5.73528
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01
Grenoble displays architectural developments from the medieval period to the present day. The medieval Notre-Dame Cathedral stands in the historic center, while the Art Museum offers modern exhibition spaces. The city includes the Tour Perret, a cylindrical tower building from the 1920s, and the Garage hélicoïdal, a spiral parking structure from the same era. Religious buildings such as Saint-Louis Church and Saint-Bruno Church represent different stylistic periods. The Sainte-Cécile Convent and the Palace of the Parliament of Dauphiné show historic administrative and ecclesiastical architecture. The Bastille fortress overlooks the city and can be reached by cable car from Quai Stéphane Jay. The Hôtel de Lesdiguières and the Old Episcopal Palace document aristocratic residential culture. Paul-Mistral Park forms a large green space containing Lesdiguières Stadium and the Alpexpo conference center. The Saint-Laurent Bridge crosses the Isère River, while the Sainte-Claire market halls house daily commerce. Vizille Castle lies outside the city in the commune of the same name. The Musée dauphinois and the Museum of Resistance and Deportation present regional history, complemented by cultural facilities such as the MC2 cultural center and Le Magasin des horizons.
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