Écluse de Kembs-Niffer, Navigation lock in Kembs, France
The Écluse de Kembs-Niffer is a navigation lock in Alsace that connects the Rhine River to the Rhone Canal. The structure includes a control tower and administrative building featuring geometric concrete shapes and a distinctive hyperboloid-style roof.
The lock was completed in 1960 and represents Le Corbusier's only architectural project in the Alsace region. It received the status of a protected historical monument in France in 2005.
The lock reflects Le Corbusier's belief that practical functions and artistic design can work together in the same space. Its concrete forms and distinctive roof shape show how technical needs can become part of the visual design.
You can view the lock from the outside, and guided tours can be arranged through the Mulhouse Tourist Office for closer exploration. Depending on the season and navigation schedule, some areas may have restricted access.
The site incorporates natural spaces, including two different biotopes and a planted roof area. It also features a swallow hotel and beehives, which blend the industrial structure with local wildlife.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
