New role for Saint-Etienne
Once a centre for textiles, arms and cycles – all showcased in the Art & Industry Museum – Saint-Etienne became a UNESCO City of Design in 2010 in their Creative Cities network.  One of just nine across the world, it is only the second in Europe.

Best of contemporary design
Just hop on the tramway from the Art Nouveau city centre to the design centre and visit the spacious Museum of Modern Art with its changing exhibitions.  The city’s Design Biennial in November also hosts some 500 designers from 100 countries.

Le Corbusier at Firminy
Under consideration by UNESCO, the concrete complex at Firminy-Vert is the largest planned development in Europe by 20th century architect Le Corbusier, and the second largest in the world.  Visit the interpretation centre for the inside story.